DLR Penalty charge - honest mistake

Altarf

So you can design a train that doesn't need a driver, but you can't design a ticket barrier that doesn't need manning.

I don't believe it.

robt_2

Altarf wrote: »

So you can design a train that doesn't need a driver, but you can't design a ticket barrier that doesn't need manning.

I don't believe it.

Ignoring the fact that the Train Captain can drive the train if s/he needs to.

Altarf

So where is the "Train Captain" on the DLR?

robt_2

Altarf wrote: »

So where is the "Train Captain" on the DLR?

Sorry, a Passenger Service Agent or whatever they wish to be called at the moment. You know, the member of staff on every single train that unstaffed stations don't have.

Altarf

robt wrote: »

You know, the member of staff on every single train that unstaffed stations don't have.

Every train? No train I use has them.

Anyway, getting back to the point, if you can operate a complicated thing like a train safely (on the DLR) with no staff at all on the train (no drivers, train captains, passenger service agents, nobody), then it should be perfectly possible to design barriers that could operate without being manned,

robt_2

Altarf wrote: »

Every train? No train I use has them.

Anyway, getting back to the point, if you can operate a complicated thing like a train safely (on the DLR) with no staff at all on the train (no drivers, train captains, passenger service agents, nobody), then it should be perfectly possible to design barriers that could operate without being manned,

I will repeat. Every DLR train has a member of staff onboard. Maybe not on YOUR carriage, but they are onboard that train. They open and close the doors and press what is esentially a 'go' button which takes it to the next station.

If you want a reference, have one: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/dlr/7126.aspx

A member of staff is on board every train to provide information and assistance.

Or maybe a news article about the ONE time a train accidently ran without staff onboard: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/11/01/dlr_train_leaves_staff_on_platform/

pippitypip_2

How funny is that story?!

Yes, there are always service operators on the DLR; same people who check the tickets

At stations like Stratford though, all other exit points are manned, just not the DLR, so it still amazes me you can't have proper ticket barriers.

pippitypip

FARE-COP

Altarf wrote: »

Every train? No train I use has them.

Anyway, getting back to the point, if you can operate a complicated thing like a train safely (on the DLR) with no staff at all on the train (no drivers, train captains, passenger service agents, nobody), then it should be perfectly possible to design barriers that could operate without being manned,

Serco-Docklands cannot operate any train in public service on the DLR without a Passenger Service Agent being present on board.

It is not allowed by the empowering legislation and the public could not be conveyed if the PSA was not present to operate the doors and other safety factors.

The DLR is a driver-less system. It is NOT staff-less

gner_ex

FARE-COP wrote: »

The Magistrates Court is the correct place for the allegation to be laid.

The County Court would be the place to issue proceedings for an unpaid civil debt.

The alleged offences of travelling without a valid rail ticket with intent to avoid a fare or the Byelaw offence of failing to show a ticket on demand are not civil debt matters.

I'm assuming that like me you work or have worked in the industry.

The TOC actually has either route available to it - county or crown court - though I acknowledge that the majority of actions take place in the crown court.

gner_ex

pippitypip wrote: »

Altarf, I've heard a similar conversation recently too. As I travel mainline I get my ticket all in one, rather than use my oyster, as I'm always worried I'll forget to swipe for the DLR or it won't work properly.

When I do use my Oyster on the tube, I always scrutinise the screen, but that's to check my balance really more than make sure the light has gone green.

To be fair, I'd hate to be a ticket inspector, they must get a lot of grief!

pippitypip

There are a growing number of people in London who purchase paper travel cards (either day or season) for precisely this reason.

The biggest laugh at all is that if you travel at weekends, it is often cheaper to get an all zones travelcard with network railcard discount - ticket is £5, and an annual railcard is £20 (valid for you and your party of upto three other adults and/or four children) - see http://www.railcard.co.uk/network. Granted, if you are making two single journeys on the tube with no bus use oyster will be cheaper (just) but many people make more than just that.

You _can_ get paper day tickets from any tube or national rail ticket office, but seasons (weekly/monthly/yearly) can only be purchased from a national rail station - and you need a photocard (which is free).