From e-tenders:

"Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) has introduced new entry/exit validation gate systems in 8 commuter stations in the Dublin area during 2006. The system supports magnetic central stripe ticketing and is smartcard enabled. There is an existing entry validation system operating in most other commuter stations.

To further improve revenue protection and safety within the rail network, IÉ wishes to expand the new entry/exit validation system within the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). A shortlist of ten stations is to be considered for the purposes of this study."

I don't get the 8

Clontraf Rd
Connolly (not working)
Tara Street (does the unopened Townsend Street station count as well ?)
Grand Canal Dock
Lansdowne Rd
Blackrock

Am I missing something ?

The new gates are networked up to a local computer with touch screen which looks overly clever for just mag stripe

There is a smartcard trial underway but no one knows that, that would explain why the new turnstiles have been switched on and off frequently

The what?

There is a second station entrance underneath the platforms of Tara Street, head down Townsend Street and when you walk under the bridge look for the gate with no parking on it which is set back from the street, its there

Its all complete, fitted out with barriers and signs but strangely still not open

Maybe they've already been fitted in Docklands as well? Just a guess...

Is is planned - for the future. They (I think 8) haven't been "introduced" yet.

Exit validation. Your fares at work
 

On Saturday, A few friends and I got train into Tara from R&L.
R&L station was closed so I presumed we'd buy tickets in Tara.
Got in anyway about 7or 8 minutes late.
Got off in tara. we were at the back of the train so got off first.
the exit validation gates were on so I got out ok.
Friends had to buy tickets of the guys. So the inspector has to:
get out pen
write ticket
stop to ask other inspector how much ticket is.
finish writing ticket
take money,
give change,
give friendA his ticket

So friendA is standing there, with his paid ticket looking at a closed gate.
"Do I put this non-magnetic ticket into the machine or what?"
"No that wont work in the machine." pause. Inspector gives smartcard to security guy standing about a yard away. Security guy waves smartcard gate opens, security gives smartcard back to inspector. Friend A gets out.
FriendB waits for inspector to write ticket ....
...
...
FriendC has his turn. has a fiver for a 3.70 ticket. tells inspector to keep change and just let him out. "No I can't do that here is your 13 ten cent coins instead wait 'til I count them out very slowly." (this may be made up not a real quote)


Eventually we get out while the crowd of about 50 people wait behind us.

We go into O'Reilly's, get stout and after it has settled, we see people still queuing to get out of the station. I notice the 4 ticket machines are unused because they are outside the barriers.


Oh yeah Rush&Lusk station is allegedly staffed til 9pm on a Saturday according to IE, even though at 8:20 it was closed. which would have prevented this jam.

If IE are serious about exit validation, they will have to make it possible to buy a proper ticket at every station you could be coming from. Then, if you get to Tara St with no ticket, it's a penalty fare. Otherwise everyone can say they got on at Broombridge.

IE aren't serious though.
If their stations aren't staffed when they are advertised to be staffed, how can you expect any better?

Tara went live today.

It was live at 10:10 last night. I know because I abandoned my ticket in the machine:D

Yes, went through last night. Seemed to go quite smoothly - except the former ticket checkers kept having to tell people entering the station to use the machines with the green arrows, not the ones with the red Xs.

How do people that dumb not hurt themselves more often? :D

'twas off this morning

Maybe they are only operating off peak to start off with, would make sense.

One thing I find confusing is that the machines are all for right handed people!:D

as are the old machines.

Humans are intelligent, people are stupid.

Note how if a crowd of people are exiting a room through double doors, most will use the same door leaf, ignoring the other one. Sheep.

This could be intelligence. Physics. If the door is already open it takes less energy to go through.....

But more time and energy waiting. :p

It went live Connolly and Tara Street this morning

There where notices up on trains over the weekend