Train station overcrowding

newfoundglory

I hear that apparently its bit like joining a cult. Brainwashing etc, you have to swear allegiance to the Railway, and then go around threatening people with prosecution if they say a bad word against the Railway.

Humphrey10

Arg wrote: »

We could also ask why there are so many people supporting railway companies at the expense of the general public.

I often see railway staff talking to scum at the gateline, you can often hear the scum whining at the top of their voice that they should be able to travel for free for some stupid reason like they are too busy to buy a ticket or they are poor so should be able to steal what they like or because the dog ate their homework.

It's odd, if I have been unable to buy a ticket I have never been chareged a penalty fare (and the TOC staff have no idea I work in the railway industry). I just tell the truth, eg the ticket machine was broken, or it only accepted cards but I had only cash, or it only accepted cash but I had only cards. If you approach the first TOC person you see and say 'can I buy a ticket, I was not able to at the station' you get treated very differently than if you try to sneak through the barriers without paying.

Livingthedream

newfoundglory wrote: »

.........rant.............

but they give you really smart uniforms to wear :D:D

Livingthedream

Arg wrote: »

........another rant............

see above :D:D

Stigy

Humphrey10 wrote: »

It's odd, if I have been unable to buy a ticket I have never been chareged a penalty fare (and the TOC staff have no idea I work in the railway industry). I just tell the truth, eg the ticket machine was broken, or it only accepted cards but I had only cash, or it only accepted cash but I had only cards. If you approach the first TOC person you see and say 'can I buy a ticket, I was not able to at the station' you get treated very differently than if you try to sneak through the barriers without paying.

Indeed, because they have means to check these things, which invariable the vermin try and take the !!!! out of, lol.

vsoe57

dzug1 wrote: »

Of course they are well aware of the problem - but maybe there isn't a solution - short of say closing the station in peak hours. So maybe ignoring it is the optimum solution

As to what you can do - maybe get yourself hurt and sue them.

Its called the rush hour everone wants to travel at once rail and roads and it gets very crowded out there if possible try a bit earlier or later

Jeff_Bridges_hair

Arg wrote: »

We could also ask why there are so many people supporting railway companies at the expense of the general public.

Or you could ask yourself why so many people think they can use the railway without paying a fare for the service they are given?

which leads on to

newfoundglory wrote: »

I hear that apparently its bit like joining a cult. Brainwashing etc, you have to swear allegiance to the Railway, and then go around threatening people with prosecution if they say a bad word against the Railway.

What about the industry that you work in? Which is? What about people not wanting to pay for the service they recieve from your company? What do they and their employees who are paid to ensure they get payment do? Do you just let it ride and not try and get payment from them?

Answers on a postcard please.

newfoundglory

Assuming the trains are running on time (which I have to say hasn't happened once so far this week) - I almost always get a seat on the train. So the problem is clearly not over-crowding on the trains, but rather SWT not being punctual and lack of crowd control at the station.

Jeff_Bridges_hair wrote: »

What about the industry that you work in? Which is? What about people not wanting to pay for the service they recieve from your company? What do they and their employees who are paid to ensure they get payment do? Do you just let it ride and not try and get payment from them?

I am actually a civil servant - so the above does not really apply.

Livingthedream

Is this railway bashing week on the forum? I understand your dilemma but ranting on this forum isn't going to get anything changed, you could try writing to the following with a letter of complaint, it might help but at least it will make you feel better.

1. SW Trains.
2. Passengerfocus.
3. Office of Rail Regulation.

I'm sure you can get the address from google.

TBH I think this thread is ready for internet heaven, another thing you could do is repost on RailUK forum as sometimes Railway Managers and TOC Executives view that forum and might take onboard some of your criticisms.

emneedshelp

Have you spoken to London TravelWatch to see if anything is in the pipeline for the station? I know that they will appeal complaints that you have with the toc (n/a in this case, as you haven't complained to them about this issue as yet), but they may also be looking into this situation anyway?

Know it sounds daft and I can understand that humiliation/cost option would have a big impact on the station and would force someone's hand into looking at whats happening, but if something happens to anyone as a result of the overcrowding it would be tragic-especially as it must be so blatantly obvious!

Sounds like the staff there need to get their fingers out to get this addressed rather than just accepting the usual "rush hour madness"!