Trains: Sneaky restriction on First Open Returns from 7th Sept 2008

robt_2

Altarf wrote: »

Funnily enough your sarcastic comment has been adopted by my local train operating company.

They recently installed ticket barriers at my station, which means that they have to pay a newly employed member of staff to stand by them for 14 hours every day. The only problem is that apart from the morning rush hour and evening rush hour, he has nothing to do, as almost nobody uses the train during the day.

So why is it more sensible to pay a police officer, oops sorry, ticket inspector to stand on a single station, just in case a crime happens than to actually put them on the train?

I didn't say it was more sensible. That is a question you will have to ask the TOC that manage that particular station - there might be a good reason for it, there may not.

SweetPea73

I must say that when I ask to see all tickets , I stamp all tickets , some people, not many at all in 1st , but mostly those holding a 16-25 card quite often do not want me to stamp it!!

When they eventually hand it over I stamp it back and front. I have heard that many students will sell the return part of the ticket for a £5 to their mates when they are skint!, I also know of people that try and rub off the stamp with some very clever ink eraser!

Altarf

robt wrote: »

I didn't say it was more sensible.

I am glad to see that you have changed your mind.

robt_2

Altarf wrote: »

I am glad to see that you have changed your mind.

It is great taking things out of context to try and point score isn't it? It is a sure-fire way to lose any credibility you had.

Altarf

So you do think that it is sensible having a ticket inspector standing around with nothing to do for most of the day. Sorry I thought that you were just being sarcastic when you suggested -

robt wrote: »

And while we are at it, lets put a police officer on every single street, just incase some crime happens?

maple41

OP is right in my opinion. My company used to buy standard return tickets for Peterborough / London, it didn't matter if meetings were cancelled and rearranged because the whole ticket could be used later in the month. They then started buying in advance on a specific train beacuse it was so much cheaper. Not always convenient, but ..... I guess this new restiction is just a way of fleecing the travelling public because you can't ( I believe) get the ticket reissued without paying a fee and if you have bought over the net you can't take it the ticket office for a refund / reissue. Think this is another example of screw the customer, inconvenience the majority to prevent a minority of misuse. By the way don't think I have ever travelled Nat Express East Coast without a full ticket check on the train. So this new restriction isn't preventing any fraud on this line.

Pete268

I must say, I travel first class from York to London and return once sometimes twice per week and I cannot ever recall not having my ticket checked and stamped or a hole punched in it. Usually this occurs twice, once just south of York and again just after the penultimate stop on the way to Kings Cross. Usually once on the northbound leg but occasionally twice as well.

Peter