> In uk.transport, Me wrote:

>>A local station has implemented a barrier system, which at times is on
>>and at times off. My guess is that is actually there to put people in
>>direct view of the security camera, as the station used to have a side
>>gate.
>>However, this makes it difficult to see people off, or meet them. There
>>is no platform ticket machine. Also, if you nip outside to sit in the
>>sun, or have a smoke, or get an ice cream, then the barrier won't open
>>again for (apparently) 20 minutes. There is no notice to this effect.
>>They now have to have a staff member working the gate so that people can
>>get in and out!

>
> They need a staff member working the gate anyway, for people who have
> (non-machine-readable) passes instead of tickets. In my experience the
> staff are quite happy to let me onto the platform to meet someone, or
> (on one occasion) just to use the toilets.
>
> Completely incidentally I had the pleasure of boarding a train at
> Platform 0 today.