South West Trains. Liars? Thieves? Generally unhelpful.

prowla

WickedWolfie wrote: »

In an ideal world I agree with you. However, many people do intend to defraud the train companies and they tend not to go around with big signs advertising their dishonesty, so how can staff tell the difference between them and ordinary passengers. The quick answer is that often they can't and so the honest but perhaps ill-informed get swept up with the dishonest.

The post before you (rightly) says that overriding season tickets is a regular fare con, as is doughnutting (having tickets for the start and the end of the journey with a gap - often large - in the middle), the latter exposes the limitations of ticket gates.....

Sure - the rest of us have to suffer because of it.

Certain stations, eg. Waterloo (where the OP went to) require tickets to exit the barriers, and so there is a system in place to ensure a valid ticket.

mtc95

I think the OP has a right to feel agrieved. I travel with SWT into Waterloo every day and it is very common for the guard to announce just before arriving "... if anyone still needs a ticket, come and see me on the platform" and almost every morning I see people buying a ticket from staff before reaching the barrier.

Also on the rare occasions that they check tickets on the train, people without a ticket seem to get the opportunately to buy it from the guard at the standard price with no penalty. So no matter what the small print and terms & conditions say, it seems it is common practice for SWT to allow what the OP tried to do.

If they are going to apply the rules they should at least do it consistently.

Hasbeen

South West Trains. Liars? Thieves? Generally unhelpful.

Sorry have had a look at this post re "heading" and is op talking about SW trains or himself???:(

prowla

Hasbeen wrote: »

South West Trains. Liars? Thieves? Generally unhelpful.

Sorry have had a look at this post re "heading" and is op talking about SW trains or himself???:(

I think it's about SWT.

Stigy

Every single SWT train has a Guard on it. Admittedly not all are able to sell tickets, but that doesn't stop the customer approaching him and requesting their advise. At least this way the guard could have attended the barriers at Waterloo or something so as to advise staff there that you actively tried getting a ticket. The offence had still been committed, but it would have looked a lot better for the customer, and staff may have extended the ticket instead.

Bear in mind, if the ticket barriers were open at waterloo, you probably wouldnt have extended the ticket, as you had passed two possibilities to buy one.

prowla

Stigy wrote: »

Bear in mind, if the ticket barriers were open at waterloo, you probably wouldnt have extended the ticket, as you had passed two possibilities to buy one.

Depending upon the platform, you have to pass the inspectors before you get to the barriers.

chuckley

u unfortunately approached the wrong gate person. i think he was way harsh charging you a fine from guildford considering u only went wrong from clapham...

also how was he able to confiscate ur travelcard??

Stigy

chuckley wrote: »

u unfortunately approached the wrong gate person. i think he was way harsh charging you a fine from guildford considering u only went wrong from clapham...

also how was he able to confiscate ur travelcard??

As he was reporting the matter, the PF wouldn't have been applicable in the end therefore it was necessary to seize the travel card as evidence. The ticket remains the property of SWT.

Reference the barriers at Waterloo, my point was tha if the barriers were open, there'd have been no staff there to stop the OP, hence the fare probably would have gone unpaid.

prowla

Stigy wrote: »

As he was reporting the matter, the PF wouldn't have been applicable in the end therefore it was necessary to seize the travel card as evidence. The ticket remains the property of SWT.

Reference the barriers at Waterloo, my point was tha if the barriers were open, there'd have been no staff there to stop the OP, hence the fare probably would have gone unpaid.

So, are you saying that the OP probably intended not to pay, but had to when he realised the barriers were active?

Livingthedream

prowla wrote: »

So, are you saying that the OP probably intended not to pay, but had to when he realised the barriers were active?

An interesting observation. But TBH it's not what Stigy or ourselves thought but what the Revenue protection officer at the time thought and from what the OP posted the following points stick out.

That when your issued a penalty fare, that's it either you appeal via IRCAS or pay it, one doesn't have their season ticket confiscated or have to *settle out of court*.

I think the Revenue protection officer thought the OP was travelling fraudulently and reported him for it.

Edit: This however could be for the non payment of the Penalty fare, as the Penalty fare would be cancelled and prosecution via the byelaws.