It’s well-known that rail fares in the UK are expensive. However, one ‘secret’ ticket is still available from some stations at a cost of just 10 pence.
Unbelievable, right?
Well, there is a catch – it won’t actually take you anywhere.
I’m referring to the ‘Platform Ticket’, and if that’s the first time you’ve heard the term, then, rest assured, you’re in good company.
This little-known rail ticket is the cheapest fare in the UK, but it isn’t really advertised and getting your hands on one is not always a straightforward process.
Dating back to the 19th century, the Platform Ticket is part of a tradition that sees non-travellers greet or see off passengers from the platform side of the gates.
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The ticket has not risen in price since 1988, meaning it’s beaten inflation for just under four decades.
So, are they still easy to buy? I decided to put it to the test.
What is a Platform Ticket?
First things first, as the name suggests, Platform Tickets should grant you access to the station platform for 60 minutes after being issued.
Platform Tickets are not valid on trains and are only good for the station where they were issued.
In addition, a staff member can still ask you to leave the platform for any reason, at any time.
Who can buy a Platform Ticket?
In theory, anyone can purchase a Platform Ticket.
However, they are intended for use by anyone who might require access to the platform but does not intend to travel by train.
This could include people looking to wave off their loved ones as they get onto the train or railway enthusiasts on the lookout for a picture of a specific model.
National Rail states: ‘If customers are not travelling by train but wish to access the station platform – for example where there are ticket barriers in operation and they wish to assist someone onto the train or if they are a railway enthusiast – they may need to buy a Platform Ticket, depending on the discretion of staff.’
Where can I buy a Platform ticket?
Fancy yourself a bit of train spotting or getting in one cheeky last kiss with your beloved before they depart?
Well, for starters, you’ll have to hope they are travelling from the right train station.
Only certain train companies offer platform tickets; even then, you can only purchase them directly from a booking office, not via a machine.
That means any stations without a staffed ticket office are immediately off the list, and the ticket is unavailable to purchase online.
In order to purchase a Platform Ticket, you’ll need to ensure your station is operated by a company that still issues them. Transport for London (TfL), for example, do not offer Platform tickets.
National Rail says: ‘Not all train companies still issue Platform Tickets, but where they are still sold, they cost ten pence (10p) and can only be purchased from the station ticket office. There is no charge to assist a disabled passenger to a train.
‘At other stations without barriers, unstaffed stations or at stations managed by certain train companies a Platform Ticket may not be required and customers are advised to check with the ticket office, where possible, before entering the platform.
‘Each train company will advise their retail staff of their policy on Platform Tickets.’
Train companies that still offer Platform Tickets
The complete list of train companies that still offer platform tickets includes:
- Avanti West Coast
- c2c
- Chiltern Railways
- CrossCountry
- East Midlands Railway
- Gatwick Express
- Grand Central
- Great Northern
- Great Western Railway
- Greater Anglia
- Heathrow Express
- Hull Trains
- Island Line
- London Northwestern Railway
- Merseyrail
- Northern
- ScotRail
- South Western Railway
- Southeastern
- Southern
- Stansted Express
- Thameslink
- TransPennine Express
- Transport for Wales
- West Midlands Railway
Source: National Rail
Do platform tickets really work?
Well, it turns out the answer to whether Platform Tickets work in practice is very much ‘yes and no’.
Upon learning about the Platform Ticket, I immediately headed to my local station in Chester to try to put the theory into practice.
After waiting in line at the booking office, I managed to purchase my Platform Ticket with minimal fuss and absolutely no quibbling at all – I simply asked, and received, with the staff member barely raising an eyebrow.
However, as delighted as I was at not causing a big furore at the counter, all of that was about to change.
Heading for the barrier, I eagerly inserted my ticket into the gates, before being immediately told to ‘seek assistance’.
While the nice attendant immediately recognised the ticket and let me through, he admitted they ‘weren’t really used anymore’.
It was at this point of the research that I realised I actually had very little cause to be hanging around on Platform 3B of Chester train station, so, after taking what must have looked to the general public like some very strange photographs, I opted to depart.
However, once again, I was unable to leave without ‘seeking assistance’.
Fearing I may be forced to reside at Chester Station permanently (and with the imminent arrival of the 12.30 from Liverpool seemingly about to happen behind me), I sought out another member of staff, who also immediately recognised the ticket and let me through, fortunately without quibble or comment.
So, do Platform Tickets work? Well, in my case, ultimately yes. However, you can’t help but think the process was a little smoother in the 1900s.
It’s also worth highlighting that not everyone has that experience, though.
Travel social media documentarian @OnlyRightTrack had a very different experience with his Platform Ticket, as it was both difficult to purchase and ultimately did not grant him access to the station platform.
As such, whether your 10p ticket is really worth the novelty, only you can judge.
Plus, it depends on how much of a hankering you have for those really expensive lattes.
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