Agreed. There's too many good reasons not to have barriers in York. I think it'd spoil the look of the station as well as restricting access. The only reason they could possibly want to do this is so they can lay off most of their ticket inspectors.Ferrybridge Flyer wrote:Very good point,Bring Back.The best thing they could do is LEAVE THINGS ALONE!
But even if they don't allow platform tickets (and that would be such a shame for York) there's so many ways people can get through the barriers and not pay the full fare. The obvious one being buying a ticket from York to the closest station on the line (and select New Deal railcard for a further 50% off) and then if there's a barrier at the other station then do the same there.
Who needs weekends when everyday you can upgrade to first for free?
Even for the slightly more honest getting rid of ticket inspectors would effectively turn their advance purchase tickets into anytime tickets. Miss your train? Well try the ticket in the barriers anyway, if it opens then jump on the next train.
Grand Central aren't happy because you can buy their full range of turn up and go tickets on-board. But sometimes being able to buy on board had its advantages on NXEC too. If you're travelling at peak time and you arrive at the station with minutes to spare you could just jump on the train and buy a ticket. Even off peak, when you could get cheaper at the ticket office you still had the option to jump on board and pay full fare rather than wait for the next one.
So, keep the barriers away and keep the inspectors. The last thing the economy needs at the moment is more on the dole.