Is this likely to be true? (ticketless traveller's story)

[trainophile]

I witnessed a scene that was starting to look unpleasant as I left my home station tonight. The gate guy on the barriers had asked a hoody-wearing oik (sorry but he was just typical) for his ticket, and the oik said he didn't have one, "but it's okay because the guard on the train took my details".

Gate guy told him to go to the Unpaid Fares window, but oik refused, adamant that he had already been dealt with "on the train". Lad was shouting by then and it was becoming quite ugly, but there was nothing I could do so I had to leave it going on. I think another passenger informed the ticket counter clerk that there was trouble on the platform.

So, in the event that the youth was telling the truth, and the guard had taken his details, was he correct in refusing to go to the Unpaid Fares window? I can't see how it could be proved that he wasn't lying and hoping to get a free ride. If he had gone to the window, presumably there would be some way of cross-checking whether he had already provided his details to the guard?

I really hope he didn't get away with it as he was a mouthy young *** .

 

[maniacmartin]

If the guard takes your details, e.g. for a UPFN or PF, aren't you issued with a receipt which could be shown to gateline staff? :roll:

 

[TheEdge]

If the guard had issued a UFN he would have had a copy (actually the original) UFN to hand, for exactly this purpose.

 

[island]

Staff are meant to issue some sort of paperwork to passengers who are dealt with for ticket irregularities, whether a UPFN, Penalty Fare Notice, zero-fare ticket, etc.

 

[trainophile]

Thank you! I thought he was trying it on. I know you shouldn't judge by appearances (and manners, or lack of), but... .

 

[Flamingo]

In my experience, the louder they shout, the bigger the lie...

 

[RJ]

Staff are meant to issue some sort of paperwork to passengers who are dealt with for ticket irregularities, whether a UPFN, Penalty Fare Notice, zero-fare ticket, etc.

They're supposed to, but some of them won't. Protocol is a joke where ticketing and revenue protection is concerned in this industry - so I will always reserve judgement unless it can be proven one way or the other. A description to the effect of typical hoodie wearing oik doesn't affect my opinion either way.

In my experience, the louder they shout, the bigger the lie...

Whilst that is the case on some occasions, it could just be that this individual wasn't very articulate.

 

[Fare-Cop]

They're supposed to, but some of them won't. Protocol is a joke where ticketing and revenue protection is concerned in this industry - so I will always reserve judgement unless it can be proven one way or the other.

Steps have been taken to try to achieve consistency across the TOCs. We can only hope that it works.

I agree about not making judgments on sight. Every case must be dealt with on it's own merit.

A description to the effect of typical hoodie wearing oik doesn't affect my opinion either way.

Nor mine, there is a training example that I use, which illustrates the point perfectly and it was an incident in my time as an RPI many years ago, which nearly caught me out.

Whilst that is the case on some occasions, it could just be that this individual wasn't very articulate.

Another good observation, but I will agree that those who always go to great lengths to try divert attention from the apparent irregularity most frequently do turn out to be offenders.

 

[trainophile]

Just to clarify, I don't make an automatic judgement on every youth wearing a hoodie, and would not have even noticed the lad in question if he hadn't been squaring up aggressively towards the gate employee, who happens to be a really nice, friendly, mild-mannered chap who we (me and OH who was with me) are rather fond of.

Sadly this particular "young man" was an example of what gives all of them a bad name.