stations with / without ticket barriers on LU and LO
Request ID: FOI-0362-2223 Date published: 06 June 2022
You asked
This is a freedom of information request for information on which underground and overground stations have ticket barriers installed and which ones do not.
I am writing an essay on comparative techniques for payment of travel between different cities and would like to compare and contrast Berlin (which uses ticket inspectors but has no barriers) and London (which mainly uses ticket barriers). In order to be able to properly compare systems I need to know how complete the London ticketing barrier system is.
We answered
TfL Ref: 0362-2223
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 11 May 2022 asking for information about ticket barriers at our London Underground / Overground stations. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked: This is a freedom of information request for information on which underground and overground stations have ticket barriers installed and which ones do not.I am writing an essay on comparative techniques for payment of travel between different cities and would like to compare and contrast Berlin (which uses ticket inspectors but has no barriers) and London (which mainly uses ticket barriers). In order to be able to properly compare systems I need to know how complete the London ticketing barrier system is.
London Underground Almost all 262 stations owned by London Underground (LU) have ticket barriers installed at entrances and exits, and have ticket machines where both electronic and paper tickets can be purchased. There are a few exceptions:
Mill Hill East, Roding Valley and South Kenton do not have ticket barriers as there is insufficient space for them. These stations instead have equipment where electronic tickets can be validated to start or end a journey. They are also monitored by customer service staff and CCTV.
Chalfont & Latimer, Chorleywood, Finchley Central, Pinner, Waterloo, West Harrow and Woodside Park have one entrance without barriers for the same reason. Again, those entrances have equipment where electronic tickets can be validated to start or end a journey. They are also monitored by customer service staff and CCTV.
London Underground also has a dedicated Revenue Control team that undertake fare evasion activities – such as inspecting tickets – both on trains and within stations.
London Overground Arriva Rail London (ARL) is the train operating company responsible for running the London Overground network under a Concession Agreement with Transport for London (TfL). Please see the following information for the London Overground network:
All ARL-operated stations have ticket machines where both electronic and paper tickets can be purchased.
There are 28 total ungated stations on the network, of which ARL are the main operator for 25 of those stations.
Where ARL are the sole operator, 56 of the 81 stations are gated (that is to say, have a ticket barrier) - 69.14%
If we are to include ALL stations where there are London Overground services, 84 of the 112 stations are gated (that is to say, have a ticket barrier) – 75.00%
Please note that there are other locations that are not owned by either London Underground or London Overground, where their services interchange with other National Rail services (e.g. Barking, Richmond, Wimbledon) and where barriers may or may not present.
For LU stations with ticket barriers that are operated by other Train Operating Companies (TOCs), we can provide the following list of stations - please note that this information has come from the National Rail Enquiries website which can be found at: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/default.aspx - please use the search function to find a station and then see the entry under ‘Staffing and general services’ for further information on whether there are ticket gates at particular stations.
Ealing Broadway (MTR Elizabeth Line – Elizabeth Line concession)
Richmond (South Western Railway)
Wimbledon (South Western Railway)
Barking (c2c)
Upminster (c2c)
Heathrow Terminal 5 (Heathrow Express)
Willesden Junction (Arriva Rail London – London Overground concession)
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
