Automatic ticket gates are coming to Leeds!

Northern, in partnership with Network Rail will be introducing easy to use Automatic Ticket Gates at Leeds station. Work commenced in August and we expect to finish this and begin using the gates in October.

Gates have already been introduced at Manchester Oxford Road and Blackpool North stations. They have helped to improve journeys at peak times and avoid congestion. Gates will also help us to reduce the number of passengers travelling without a ticket, improve security and discourage anti-social behaviour.

Why have the gates been introduced?

Revenue protection is one of our key priorities. We recognise that ticketless travel is a problem and we have developed a revenue protection strategy to help reduce the number of passengers travelling without a ticket. Automatic ticket gates have been very successful in reducing ticketless travel in other areas; they also help to reduce anti-social behaviour and improve on-train and station security.

Where have the gates been introduced?

Blackpool North and Manchester Oxford Road

We have introduced 6 ticket gates on the main concourse, near to the ticket office at each station.

Leeds

Leeds will have 25 gates in total, 3 of which will be 'wide gates' for use by passengers with disabilities, or people with cycles or lots of luggage.

Have the gates changed how I enter the station?

Entrance to Leeds station will remain unaffected once the gates go live; the main entrance will still be the main way to enter the station. We will also still use the exit from platform 8 onto New Station Street in the morning peak period. During the works we may have to restrict certain routes through the station, but we will minimise the effect this has on you as much as possible.

At Blackpool the main entrance from Talbot Road hasn't changed. The entrance from High Street is now closed and the exit is a fire exit only. We have also made minor alterations to the front of the ticket office to make things easier.

At Manchester Oxford Road, there is now a separate area to buy tickets, but no other changes to the station have been made.

What impact has there been on other parts of the station?

At Blackpool North and Manchester Oxford Road facilities have stayed the same.

However at Leeds, we have had to close one shop to accommodate the gates; other shops are still available on the concourse and on platforms 12 to 15.

What does this mean for me?

You will need a valid ticket to enter or leave the station once the gates are working. If you start your journey at a 'gated' station you will need to leave yourself enough time to buy your ticket before getting on the train. If you are leaving a 'gated' station it is your responsibility to ensure you have a valid ticket to leave the station through the gates.

How do I buy my ticket?

There are a number of ways you can buy your ticket:

1. Station ticket office
   The ticket office sells daily and season tickets. If you travel regularly you may find it cheaper to buy a season ticket.
2. Self-service ticket machines
   Northern has installed self-service ticket machines; one at Blackpool North, two at Manchester Oxford Road and five at Leeds. You can buy daily and 7Day season tickets from the machines. They are easy to use and accept cash and cards.
3. On-train (if boarding at station when the ticket office is closed or at an unstaffed station)
   Conductors sell a range of tickets (including 7 day season tickets), approach the conductor as they come down the train at your earliest opportunity.
4. At your destination
   Each 'gated' station has a ticket window next to the gates. If you boarded at a station when the ticket office was closed and you did not buy your ticket on the train, when you get to your destination go to the ticket window and buy the ticket for the journey you have made in order for you to activate the gates.

What if I have a season ticket?

If your ticket has a magnetic strip on the reverse, you will need to put it into the gate, the gate will read it and once you retrieve it the gate will open.

What if my season ticket does not have a magnetic strip?

Staff will be there to check your ticket and let you through.

What if my season ticket does not work in the gates?

Seek help from a member of staff at the gates. Take your season ticket back to where you bought it from as soon as you can and it will be replaced free of charge.

How wide are the gates?

There are two sizes. The standard gate has an aisle width of 620mm. The wide gate has an aisle width of 900mm. This is for customers in wheelchairs and for people with cycles or luggage.

What happens in an emergency?

In an emergency all gates will open automatically for immediate evacuation.

What other security measures have you put in place?

We are upgrading CCTV at each of these stations. Staff will always be there when the gates are in use.