The battle against fare evasion on railways is intensifying, and Chiltern Railways is at the forefront of this innovation. By introducing a new generation of ticket barriers at High Wycombe station, the company aims to strike a balance between security and efficiency. These barriers, supplied by Cubic, are part of the FEnX Fare Gate range and feature several clever design elements to deter fare dodgers.
One of the most notable changes is the taller paddle doors, which make it more difficult for people to jump over the barriers. Additionally, the doors extend closer to the floor, reducing the gap that some fare evaders exploit by attempting to slide under the barrier paddles. This design is particularly effective on concrete platforms, but it also highlights the need for smooth tiled floors to prevent such tactics on the London Underground.
The paddles are driven by a breakthrough-resistant mechanism, making it much harder to force the gates open without slowing down the normal flow of passengers. This mechanism is a significant improvement over previous designs, ensuring that the barriers remain robust and secure.
Another key feature is the bar running along the top of the gateline, which includes coloured lights indicating the direction of gate flow and passenger sensors. These sensors track the number of people using the gates when they are open and whether passengers have tapped or swiped their tickets. If a passenger forgets to tap, the doors beep a short alarm, alerting station staff and monitoring active fare evaders.
This new design has the potential to reduce fare dodging and provide more accurate passenger counts, which is valuable for planning station activity and train timetables. The sensors can also detect tailgating, where a second person attempts to slip through immediately behind a paying passenger before the gates close. While the barriers cannot prevent tailgating, they record the event, providing operators with data to target fare-evasion enforcement more effectively.
The key benefit of these gatelines is the intelligence they deliver, enabling more focused interventions by police and ticket inspectors. However, the design also raises concerns about the balance between security and welcome. The utilitarian, almost American-style gates, with their larger paddles and undecorated metal look, may create a forbidding entrance rather than a welcoming one. As the design is still in its early stages, there is room for improvement to ensure that the barriers are both secure and inviting to honest passengers.
In conclusion, Chiltern Railways' new ticket barriers at High Wycombe station represent a significant step forward in the fight against fare evasion. While they offer enhanced security features, the design's aesthetic and functionality should be carefully considered to maintain a positive passenger experience. As the barriers are rolled out more widely, the railway industry must continue to innovate and adapt to meet the evolving needs of both passengers and the authorities.
