XC Penalty Fares

[beeza1]

I was under the impression XC did not operate a "Penalty Fare" regime but last week I travelled from MAN to BHM on an XC service I boarded about 20 mins before departure and found my seat, shortly after this the guard walked through the carriage stating "due to the large number or passengers boarding without a ticket this is now a penalty fare train, if you don't have a ticket I suggest you go and purchase one", on hearing this some passengers did get off to, I presume buy a ticket. Just before departure he announced over the PA "This is the ???? buy before you board service from MAN to ???? etc".

Can anyone confirm whether or not XC operate a "Penalty Fare" regime, and if so how for how long?

 

[Ferret]

XC don't, it was just a crafty and slightly naughty ruse, which by the sound of it, worked quite well!

 

[sonic2009]

This may of been a tatic to scare passengers into quickly running off the train to purchase a ticket before departure.

 

[Jatos]

Sneaky conductor! :P

Wonder if he'd into trouble should the managers find out about this?

 

[Goatboy]

This may of been a tatic to scare passengers into quickly running off the train to purchase a ticket before departure.

I'm not really sure telling lies to passengers to get them to buy tickets is really the most sensible way of going about this, however frustrating it is that people don't bother (And it is frustrating - even to us passengers it's annoying when somebody boards at a major station and is then immediatly sold the full range of tickets with railcard discounts by the guard).

 

[barrykas]

Not saying I approve of the TM's actions, but I'd hazard a guess that it avoided a fair few arguments had s/he gone through the train charging undiscounted Anytime Singles and Returns to the errant passengers.

"Manchester to Birmingham Sir? Certainly, that'll be £37.50 Single or £75.00 Return."
"But I normally pay £22.60 Return!" (If the TM's lucky)
"That's the price if you buy your ticket before boarding the train Sir. As you have walked past an open ticket office and numerous ticket machines, you can only purchase the full price Single or Return on board the train."

Rinse and repeat...