Ticket Barriers

It was reported in early April (Barrier scheme bids to beat train fare cheats) that London Midland will be installing ticket barriers at it's five key stations in Birmingham; New Street, Snow Hill, Moor Street, University and Five Ways. This marks a real move to deal with train fare cheats and should help to speed up entry and exit to platforms at New Street in particular instead of trying to navigate the overcrowded manned barrier.

Barrier scheme bids to beat train fare cheats
Apr 7 2008
By Bob Haywood

RAIL chiefs are to wage a fresh £3 million blitz against fare-dodgers in the Midlands. The crackdown comes as latest figures show that nearly 4,000 train passengers are cheating every day. Now London Midland is to spend £2.7 million on new automatic ticket barriers at five key stations in Birmingham. The aim is to stem the loss of millions of pounds in lost revenue - and to play fair with lawabiding passengers who always buy a ticket. The steel gates will be built at New Street, Snow Hill, Moor Street, University (Edgbaston) and Five Ways stations, with the first ones expected to be in operation by the summer.
Sunday Mercury Newspaper Article


London Midland report on their website (http://www.londonmidland.com/index.php/cms/pages/view/62) that the work should be completed by 2009.

£2.7m to install new ticket gatelines at five Birmingham stations - New Street, Snow Hill, Moor Street, University and Five Ways - by 2009.
London Midland: Our Plans


All we need now is some real improvements to the Chase Line as it's titled linking Walsall to Rugeley amongst others with ticket purchasing facilities. A significant amount of people now travel between Cannock and Birmingham but depending on the time of day you may not see a ticket inspector and only be able to buy a ticket when you get to Birmingham New Street station.