Automatic ticket gates are set to be activated at three stations in Birmingham at the end of the month as part of a £2.7 million investment by rail operator London Midland.
The first gates will be switched on at Snow Hill, University and Five Ways stations on April 30, followed by Moor Street station in mid-May.
The work, which is part of London Midland’s franchise commitment, will be completed when gates are installed at New Street Station later in the year.
London Midland commercial director Alex Hynes said the gates were part of the rail operator's continuing investment in Birmingham and essential in reducing fare evasion.
“We are creating a safe and secure network. Ticket gates are an efficient way of reducing fare evasion as well as allowing us to gather vital information that can assist us in improving services,” he said.
The gates’ software system can provide intelligence, which will help forecast future growth and allow London Midland to gauge passenger levels on individual routes.
“It’s unfair that passengers have to pay while a minority choose to dodge their fare and the gates are an effective way of addressing this,” Mr Hynes said.
“We have a strong record of reducing fare evasion but we can't afford to be complacent.”
Mr Hynes said many passengers would be familiar with ticket gates from using the London Underground and stations such as Leamington Spa.
“There will be a period where some of our passengers get used to this new technology, but London Midland staff will be on hand to help.
Passengers put their ticket into a slot on top of the machine, which opens gates if their ticket is valid.
If passengers have reached the end of their journey the ticket will be retained.
