[snip]
> That problem was/is caused by the "passback" detection. This feature
> is
> designed to stop you from passing your ticket back to a friend and
> then
> allowing him to use the same ticket to open the automatic gate.
>
> To prevent this, there is a 5 minute (or so) delay programmed, during
> which
> time you cannot unlock the gate again (unless you have in the meantime
> gone
> out through the gate in the other direction).
>
> But they seem to have gone a bit overboard with implementing it, as it
>
> happens on ALL validators. It is especially annoying when you buy a
> ticket
> on a tram. The TVM validates your ticket, and if you then stick it
> into a
> validator on the tram within 5 minutes, it will say "PASSBACK", even
> though
> it is not relevant in this situation. I have seen many people do this,
> and
> wonder what the hell the message means.
>
[snip]
Unfortunately, such implementation is not ideal for those using
Group-Get-A-Bout tickets available during weekends. Because in most
cases, there are more than one person travelling within the group and
pass the ticket back is the only way to get the rest of group through.
As I have mentioned a few times in this newsgroup that I (and my
friends) have seen difficulties faced by those ticket holders.
Afterall, as soon as the barrier gate detects a gap between people, the
yellow door shuts. Therefore, my friends usually get them to validate
their ticket at the barrier gate and open that door at the same time!!
Unfortunately, if such problem occurs over the other barrier gates (for
platform 3), most times will not be noticed, unless get picked up by the
surveillance camera nearby. Nevertheless, we have witnessed (at least
once) a human chain marching through the barrier gate - very innovative
I might add!!
> On the subject of Flinders St, and the other City stations; does
> anyone
> have any idea why they are persisting in operating _all_ the gates in
> bi-directional mode? This means that people can come up to either side
> of
> the gates, and get through on a first-come first-served basis. It
> causes
> huge delays and confusion, with people pushing through groups of other
>
> people, and people wondering why the gate suddenly won't accept their
> ticket, etc. There are plenty of gates to have half set for IN and
> half for
> OUT. It really annoys me to see them putting more obstacles in the way
> of
> the smooth flow of passengers than there need to be.
Well this is the normal setting here at Glenferrie, though the computer
inside the booking office does allow other flow configurations. Here at
Glenferrie wider aisle is usually set bi-directional, so people with
bike, prams, wheelchairs, etc. can use from either end.
I.C.
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