Automatic, easy to use ticket gates have been introduced at Manchester Oxford Road and Blackpool North stations. These will help improve your journey through main stations at peak times and avoid congestion. Gates will also help us reduce the number of passengers travelling without a ticket, improve security and discourage anti-social behaviour.

Why have the gates being 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 volume of people that use our trains and do not purchase 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 improves on train and station security.

Where have the gates being introduced?

Blackpool North and Manchester Oxford Road
We have introduced 6 ticket gates on the main concourse, near to the ticket office at both stations.

Leeds
We are still working on the final design for Leeds and will update the website when further details are finalised.

Have the gates changed how I access the station?
At Blackpool the main entrance from Talbot Road has remained unchanged. The alternative entrance from High Street has been closed and the exit has become a fire exit only. There is no longer an entrance to the station from High St. We have also made minor modifications to the ticket office frontage to improve access.

At Manchester Oxford Road, there now is a sectioned off area for customers to buy tickets, but no other changes to station access have been neccessary.

At Leeds we are working towards a final design and will update you as soon as possible.

What impact has there been on other station facilities?
All other station facilities at Blackpool North and Manchester Oxford Road remain unchanged.

We will update you about Leeds once all the details have been agreed.

What does this mean for my journey?
You will need a valid ticket to enter or exit the station once the gates go live. If you are starting your journey at a gated station you will need to allow yourself sufficient time to purchase your ticket prior to boarding the train. If you are exiting at a gated station it is your responsibility to ensure you have a valid ticket to enable a speedy exit.

How do I buy my ticket?
We have provided a number of ways you can buy your ticket:

1. Station ticket office
   The station ticket office can sell you daily or season tickets. If you are a regular traveller you may find it economical to buy a season ticket, these tickets will also work through the gates so you save time as well as money. In the last 12 months Northern has also invested in a brand new quick ticket issuing system, please take advantage of these.
2. Self Service ticket machines
   Northern has invested in brand new self service ticket machines and there is one at Blackpool North, 2 at Manchester Oxford Road and 5 at Leeds. They are easy to use and accept cash and cards.
3. On train (if boarding at station where the ticket office is closed)
   Our conductors can sell a limited range of tickets (including 7 day season tickets) on board, catch the conductor as they come down the train at your soonest opportunity.
4. At your destination
   At each gated station there will be a ticket window inside the gated area. If you boarded at a station where the ticket office was closed and did not buy your ticket on the train, when you get to your destination go to the ticket office window and buy the ticket for the journey you have made in order to exit the station.

How do the ticket gates work?
All credit card sized travel tickets with a magnetic strip on the reverse can be used with our gates. Simply use the gate marked with the green arrow, and put your ticket in the slot indicated, once you have retrieved your ticket the gates will open and let you through.

But what if I don't have a credit card sized ticket?
Don't worry. Staff will be on hand to help you through the gates if you hold a different ticket format, or your ticket has been damaged.

Will the gate keep my ticket?
If the gated station is your final destination and you have no bus or tram add on, then yes, the gate will keep your ticket.

What if I need my ticket as a receipt of purchase?
Remember to ask for a receipt when buying your ticket if you need to claim your ticket cost. Unfortunately receipts cannot be issued retrospectively and used tickets cannot be retrieved from the ticket gates.

What if the gates do not open?
A message will be displayed on the gate telling you what to do. If in any doubt, seek assistance from a member of staff who will be happy to help.

Are the gates easy for disabled passengers to use?
The ticket gates are built to the latest accessibility standards with extra wide gates to accommodate wheelchairs. As well as serving passengers with disabilities, the gates are designed to ensure that passengers with pushchairs, small children or large amounts of luggage are not delayed.

What if there is a problem when no staff are on duty?
There will always be staff on duty whilst the gates are operating. If, in the unlikely event no staff are available, all gates will be left open.

What if my season ticket does not work the gates?
If for any reason your season ticket does not work you should seek staff assistance. Then, at the next opportunity, replace your ticket for free at the ticket office where you originally purchased it.

What if I am not travelling, but want to see someone off?
You will need to buy a platform ticket from the station ticket office. Platform tickets are not valid for travel and are only valid for 1 hour from time of purchase.

What safety measures are in place?
The quantity of gates at each station has been carefully calculated to suit all customers needs. These are based on specific passenger counts and future passenger growth, therefore the gates are capable of coping with the busiest period each station has.

How wide are the gates?
There are two types. The standard gate has an aisle width of 620mm. The gate has an aisle width of 900mm.

What happens in an emergency?
In the event of an emergency all gates will open automatically where a fire alarm system is in place. Where a fire alarm system is not in place, staff will be able to open the gates for immediate evacuation.

What other security measures have you put in place?
We are upgrading CCTV at each station. Staff will always be on hand when the gates are operating.