Not buying a ticket before getting on a train
Discussion
I was on a train into London yesterday when the conductor came round checking tickets. At least 3 people around me didn't have them - WTF! Since when is it the 'norm' to get on and buy your ticket on a train. If he hadn't been on there they would all have potentially travelled for free. None of them even looked guilty! I understand a last minute leap on to catch the train but these people were clearly just taking the piss! And that was just the 3 in my section of the carriage...
That's why the TOC's employ Revenue Protection Officers. 'Conductor' is a bit 1970! 
Main stations will have ticket barriers, so (in peak hours) those people will need to either pay on board, or pay at destination.
At my local station (Reading) there is always a cue of inbound people at the excess fare kiosk paying at the end of journey during peak times.
If paying on board you have to pay full fare, no discounts available. Swings and roundabouts.
The TOCs do the best they can, but it's impossible to make everyone on every train pay, so fares are priced to cover this.
Main stations will have ticket barriers, so (in peak hours) those people will need to either pay on board, or pay at destination.
At my local station (Reading) there is always a cue of inbound people at the excess fare kiosk paying at the end of journey during peak times.
If paying on board you have to pay full fare, no discounts available. Swings and roundabouts.
The TOCs do the best they can, but it's impossible to make everyone on every train pay, so fares are priced to cover this.
Down my way they are beginning to put an end to this. There have recently been notices posted up that say not buying a ticket before travel will lead to prosecution etc.
Although you can sometimes buy on board if there's a bloke with a portable machine, you do leave yourself open to further expenses if you travel without a ticket.
Although you can sometimes buy on board if there's a bloke with a portable machine, you do leave yourself open to further expenses if you travel without a ticket.
Frimley111R said:
I was on a train into London yesterday when the conductor came round checking tickets. At least 3 people around me didn't have them - WTF! Since when is it the 'norm' to get on and buy your ticket on a train. If he hadn't been on there they would all have potentially travelled for free. None of them even looked guilty! I understand a last minute leap on to catch the train but these people were clearly just taking the piss! And that was just the 3 in my section of the carriage...
I thought that most London stations had barriers. Maybe regular travellers know that they can buy a ticket on the train, so do.
Chris Type R said:
I thought that most London stations had barriers. Maybe regular travellers know that they can buy a ticket on the train, so do.
Different part of the country - but my station which is on the Chester-Manchester line doesn't have a ticket machine or a kiosk.The only way to buy a ticket is either on the train or at the destination (assuming the destination has a ticket machine/kiosk).
I think it's as simple as If they don't get asked then they get a free ride.
When I have been on a train and the ticket inspector does come round, I always seem to overhear them saying they just got on from the last stop... Regardless of the truth, so that'll be a cheaper ticket for them.
When I have been on a train and the ticket inspector does come round, I always seem to overhear them saying they just got on from the last stop... Regardless of the truth, so that'll be a cheaper ticket for them.
Moonhawk said:
Chris Type R said:
I thought that most London stations had barriers. Maybe regular travellers know that they can buy a ticket on the train, so do.
Different part of the country - but my station which is on the Chester-Manchester line doesn't have a ticket machine or a kiosk.The only way to buy a ticket is either on the train or at the destination (assuming the destination has a ticket machine/kiosk).
The whole system is a shoddy mess, frankly. The TOCs don't see a need to change because they're mostly anything but customer focused. The line I use most often, between Rugeley and Birmingham New Street, doesn't operate a penalty fares policy but New Street, Rugeley and a few stations in between have barriers (which don't stop hoardes of Amazon pickers and packers swarming through them without paying on a regular basis at Rugeley but then they're paid in washers so hardly surprising it happens.
The issues with TOCs who do operate with penalty fares arise often when the RPOs refuse to sell tickets because policy dictates issuing a PFN. I reckon the revenue actually protected is probably not covered by their overheads, wages, cost of enforcement and collection of fines, etc. but installing barriers appears to be considered too high a cost.
It's as laughable as councils spending millions on clearing up fly tipping while effectively fining small business owners for dumping at council tips...the figures make a mockery of the policies.
It's also confusing for occasional travelers as the rules are so inconsistent.
The issues with TOCs who do operate with penalty fares arise often when the RPOs refuse to sell tickets because policy dictates issuing a PFN. I reckon the revenue actually protected is probably not covered by their overheads, wages, cost of enforcement and collection of fines, etc. but installing barriers appears to be considered too high a cost.
It's as laughable as councils spending millions on clearing up fly tipping while effectively fining small business owners for dumping at council tips...the figures make a mockery of the policies.
It's also confusing for occasional travelers as the rules are so inconsistent.
All the stations (8) bar the city terminus on the newly opened Borders railway here are open with no barriers and unmanned. The ticket machines sometimes don't work. It is therefore the norm to buy tickets from the train operative ( whatever his/her job title may be) on the train. Frequently there are no checks on the 55 minute journey; they must be losing a fair % of potential income.
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