This morning there were the 3 managerial looking men standing around doing nothing, a Southern gate controller and two people in police type outfits - perhaps these are the ticket enforcement officers?

At some point (next week?) the numbers will be reduced, probably to just the gate controller. This poor chap will take holiday, time sick etc. When this happens, it's unlikely Southern will have sufficient cover, so gate 2 will be closed during the busiest times yet again causing further frustration. Alternatively they simply wont have the staff to cope with any of the gates and they'll be left open.

Then there is the cost of manning the gates and having to deal with the constant email complaints versus the actual increase in revenue - which I bet will be minimal (Note that most commuters cant get out of the mainline stations without a ticket anyway and therefore are unlikely to be the dodgers - so it's the odd kid and non professional that are really being targetting - and these people will just use alternative transport (or travel at a different time when gates are open) if they cant get away with a free ride - so no new revenue stream then!).

It would be interesting to see the business case. We should all ask Southern what additional revenues they expect to collect by making our lives a misery. Revenues to be offset but initial set up costs and on going salaries of course. I bet it's laughable.