THERE will be no more free rides from Warrington Central station.

Automatic tickets gates have been installed and started working today, Thursday.

It means passengers will no longer be able to get on the platforms without a ticket.

The gates, which have been supplied by Cubic, recognise traditional rail tickets as well as all forms of barcode tickets including mobile, print at home and the new paper tickets.

Sharon Keith, regional director at Northern which manages the station, said: “We are introducing automated gatelines at a number of stations across our network as part of our ongoing plans to modernise rail travel across the north of England.

“Ticket gates provide added safety and security be ensuring those at platforms are genuine rail travellers, they also streamline ticket checks meaning Northern customers are able to move through stations more quickly and efficiently.

"They also help reduce the number of customers travelling without a ticket and discourage anti-social behaviour.”