Northern Rail responds to concerns over possible impact on the vulnerable and people with disabilities
Northern Rail has responded to fears over Harrogate’s role in a forthcoming trial of changing how ticket barriers operate at nighttime.
The Harrogate Advertiser reader got in touch to raise concerns over the possible impact of the short-term trial on the vulnerable and people with disabilities.
Set to be introduced from the end of July at a small number of stations, including Harrogate, the reader claimed:
“Northern are planning to have the ticket gates open every night after 9pm.”
“There will only be one member of staff there after 9pm.”
“As a result, people who are mobility impaired will have to get on and off trains by themselves.”
“Vulnerable people and young women will also be at more risk in rail stations after 9pm.”
“Anyone who is visually impaired could walk through the barriers onto the track.”
Until now, Northern Rail gatelines have generally operate in alignment with staffed hours, staying open roughly from the first to the last train at major hubs, and locking during unstaffed off-peak periods at smaller ones.
At Harrogate railway station, staff and gatelines are usually open 6.15am to 11.18pm, Monday to Saturday and 9.15am to 11.12pm on Sundays.
In an attempt to dampen fears about the trial, Northern said the trial was only taking place with gateline colleagues and there would be no change to staffing levels across other areas of the station.
"We are trialling adjusted gateline opening hours at a small number of stations, including Harrogate,” the spokesperson for Northern said.
"This is a short-term trial, informed by customer numbers and ticketing data at each location.
"Colleagues will continue to be present at the station from the first to the last trains of the day.
"The trial will be monitored closely and will help us understand how we can make the best use of our resources in order to help the most customers across our network."
It’s an era of change for Northern. The rail operator has also launched a new Digital Pay As You Go trial which may mean in future that passengers will pay automatically and easily via their phone.