South Wales Court Fines

[Gareth Marston]

Round up of recent Magistrates fines for fare dodging in South Wales mainly focusing on pregnant women who got on at Grangetown going to Cardiff Bay who says TVM was broken. Not enough detail on exact circumstances though it looks like she rode through to the Bay hoping to buy on-board rather than going to the excess fares at Queen St.

Comments section contains allegation that RPI's pick on the easy targets rather than persistent offenders.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/woman-couldnt-230-ticket-because-12559535

4 minutes ago
Auldfahtz
SIMPLE RULE: ALWAYS KEEP THE CORRECT FARE AT HAND (PREFERABLY IN THE HAND) THEN WHEN CHALLENGED BY THE GUARD OR "OTHERS" IT'S THERE READY TO PAY. THERE ARE INNOCENT PEOPLE AS REPORTED, WHO GET CAUGHT BY THE RAIL GESTAPO, BUT THERE ARE ALSO HUNDREDS OF GENUINE FARE DODGERS ABOARD ARRIVA TRAINS WALES, SOME OF THESE ARE "PROFESSIONALS" THE GUARDS KNOW WHO THEY ARE BUT ARE NOT BIG ENOUGH TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS FAR EASIER FOR THEM TO PICK ON THE WEAK AND VULNERABLE, TO REACH THEIR TARGET FOR APPREHENDING FARE DODGERS

 

[najaB]

Comments section contains allegation that RPI's pick on the easy targets rather than persistent offenders.

IT IS FAR EASIER FOR THEM TO PICK ON THE WEAK AND VULNERABLE, TO REACH THEIR TARGET FOR APPREHENDING FARE DODGERS

This is something that I often see people saying, but is there any basis in fact? Are RPIs targeted, and if so how does it work? Is it a revenue target, number of cases? And it seems a little self-defeating - if they are effective then there will be fewer fare dodgers to catch.

Does anyone have first-hand knowledge of RPIs on targets?

 

[Puffing Devil]

The majority of fines in the article appear to be £440. That is the "assumed income" which is used when a defendant fails to turn up in court and the case continues in their absence. The fine has been set at 100% of the assumed income.

There's no mention of her failing to attend court in the article.......

 

[Mojo]

Does anyone have first-hand knowledge of RPIs on targets?

In my experience; there are no formal targets of say, Penalty fare/prosecutions processed, however department targets might be, for example, staff attendance, percentage of Penalty fares paid on the spot, Percentage of successful appeals, staff assaults, and so on. I would however expect a manager to ask questions of a member of staff who falls way below the average for that route/area or otherwise performs below what is expected

 

[185]

In my experience; there are no formal targets of say, Penalty fare/prosecutions processed, however department targets might be, for example, staff attendance, percentage of Penalty fares paid on the spot, Percentage of successful appeals, staff assaults, and so on. I would however expect a manager to ask questions of a member of staff who falls way below the average for that route/area or otherwise performs below what is expected

Can understand targets for revenue but never penalty fares / prosecutions.

Not sure about ATW but there was nearly WW3 at my employer when they asked us to reach a "KPI" "Benchmark" level. Discretion is paramount, and that kind of silliness led to one chap in the first week booking up a 90-year old frail pensioner. I kid you not.

 

[najaB]

In my experience; there are no formal targets of say, Penalty fare/prosecutions processed, however department targets might be, for example, staff attendance, percentage of Penalty fares paid on the spot, Percentage of successful appeals, staff assaults, and so on.

Can understand targets for revenue but never penalty fares / prosecutions.

Thanks. That makes sense - general 'are you showing up for work to do the job' type targets.

I would however expect a manager to ask questions of a member of staff who falls way below the average for that route/area or otherwise performs below what is expected

Not sure about ATW but there was nearly WW3 at my employer when they asked us to reach a "KPI" "Benchmark" level. Discretion is paramount, and that kind of silliness led to one chap in the first week booking up a 90-year old frail pensioner. I kid you not.

Again, that makes sense - all things being equal, all the RPIs working a patch should be getting roughly the same results. Any significant difference should be questioned. But arbitrary targets/benchmarks will likely result in arbitrary-seeming actions.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Majority of the 30 or so comments in Western Mail are anti ATW in relation to broken TVM's/overcrowded trains/conductors who don't come through/ new portable Avantix machines being useless etc

One of more sensible posters points out its OK saying buy before you board and you can buy online etc but if you don't have/don't want to use smart phone etc and try and buy on day what are the instructions if the TVM is broken?
(in the absence of their being a handy copy of the 36 page National Conditions to consult)

 

[WelshBluebird]

Also there is a more general issue that ATW (or the next lot) will need to tackle in that a large number of journeys in South Wales have pretty much been "pay if challenged" for decades. A lot of stations do not have ticket offices and TVM's are a pretty new thing for a lot of the areas. Even where TVM's didn't exist it was never really expected to buy a ticket at an intermediate station, it was always a case of "I'll pay the guard". And that isn't an attempt at fare evasion - that is just how the area has worked regarding ticketing and fares for a long time now. It will take a lot of work and quite a lot of time to change that mentality.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Also there is a more general issue that ATW (or the next lot) will need to tackle in that a large number of journeys in South Wales have pretty much been "pay if challenged" for decades. A lot of stations do not have ticket offices and TVM's are a pretty new thing for a lot of the areas. Even where TVM's didn't exist it was never really expected to buy a ticket at an intermediate station, it was always a case of "I'll pay the guard". And that isn't an attempt at fare evasion - that is just how the area has worked regarding ticketing and fares for a long time now. It will take a lot of work and quite a lot of time to change that mentality.

As Ive posted before when the Welsh Government Minister for Transport accuses ATW of profiteering it doesn't exactly encourage Shwni to worry about ATW's revenue stream does it?

SMARTCARD is way forward. Though with Cathays, Queen St and Central gated the bulk of the flows are covered. Though given ist footfall the Bay is anomalous - certainly the busiest unstaffed station in Wales and Border land.

 

[WelshBluebird]

As Ive posted before when the Welsh Government Minister for Transport accuses ATW of profiteering it doesn't exactly encourage Shwni to worry about ATW's revenue stream does it?

SMARTCARD is way forward. Though with Cathays, Queen St and Central gated the bulk of the flows are covered. Though given ist footfall the Bay is anomalous - certainly the busiest unstaffed station in Wales and Border land.

I think the word "profiteering" isn't the right one, but I certainly think ATW need to actually sort out the ticketing infrastructure first and then once that has done start pushing the message of you need to actively try to buy a ticket.

Doing the latter first is just silly because so many flows aren't covered IMO. Sure the main few stations are, but your journey starts / ends elsewhere then it is a totally different kettle of fish. Doesn't help the excess fares at Queen Street can be a damn nightmare (Central used to be worse imo, but now the new ticket office at the rear of the station is open it is an awful lot better).

And don't get me started on things like introducing barcode tickets but not upgrading ALL barriers to accept them.

 

[Gareth Marston]

I think the word "profiteering" isn't the right one, but I certainly think ATW need to actually sort out the ticketing infrastructure first and then once that has done start pushing the message of you need to actively try to buy a ticket.

Doing the latter first is just silly because so many flows aren't covered IMO. Sure the main few stations are, but your journey starts / ends elsewhere then it is a totally different kettle of fish. Doesn't help the excess fares at Queen Street can be a damn nightmare (Central used to be worse imo, but now the new ticket office at the rear of the station is open it is an awful lot better).

And don't get me started on things like introducing barcode tickets but not upgrading ALL barriers to accept them.

Well don't expect anything much this side of Oct 18!

Do w know if this issue is to be sorted out by the new franchise? Of course not as its "Top Secret"

 

[Fare-Cop]

Also there is a more general issue that ATW (or the next lot) will need to tackle in that a large number of journeys in South Wales have pretty much been "pay if challenged" for decades. A lot of stations do not have ticket offices and TVM's are a pretty new thing for a lot of the areas. Even where TVM's didn't exist it was never really expected to buy a ticket at an intermediate station, it was always a case of "I'll pay the guard". And that isn't an attempt at fare evasion - that is just how the area has worked regarding ticketing and fares for a long time now. It will take a lot of work and quite a lot of time to change that mentality.

This is exactly right. More than 5 years ago ATW published a press release highlighting exactly this 'custom & practice' of 'paying only if asked to do so' as the problem that they were tackling by installing more TVMs and putting new warning posters up at all stations advising their 'buy before you board' policy, backed up by more robust enforcement.

They advertised their intention further by publishing their updated revenue enforcement & prosecution policy that can be found here https://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/RevenueEnforcementPolicy/ and they reminded travellers that this is in line with the DfT national railway byelaws.

WelshBluebird is right that the despite widespread publicity, the public have largely ignored the advertising and 'carried on regardless'.

That is perhaps not surprising given that the majority of TVMs installed only take card payments and peak period commuter trains are heavily overcrowded and made up of aged rolling stock, but for a very high percentage of travellers, particularly in the south Wales commuter belt, it seems the same mindset prevails generally, even when travelling from stations with full booking office facilities and lightly loaded trains.

The perception seems to be that its the 'I'm always ready to pay if they ask me, but don't see why I should make an effort to pay if they don't ask' attitude that prevails.

The fact is that if this scenario is presented to the Courts, legal precedent supports the judgement that this is regarded as fare evasion.

I agree that there are many more things that can be done to make it easier for people to always get a ticket before travelling and relying wholly on modern technological solutions isn't the answer. Apart from the obvious failings of a worn-out infrastructure in many areas despite some renewals, it is wholly unrealistic to expect that every intending traveller should always be able to pay by card at unstaffed stations.

 

[Gareth Marston]

This is exactly right. More than 5 years ago ATW published a press release highlighting exactly this 'custom & practice' of 'paying only if asked to do so' as the problem that they were tackling by installing more TVMs and putting new warning posters up at all stations advising their 'buy before you board' policy, backed up by more robust enforcement.

They advertised their intention further by publishing their updated revenue enforcement & prosecution policy that can be found here https://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/RevenueEnforcementPolicy/ and they reminded travellers that this is in line with the DfT national railway byelaws.

WelshBluebird is right that the despite widespread publicity, the public have largely ignored the advertising and 'carried on regardless'.

That is perhaps not surprising given that the majority of TVMs installed only take card payments and peak period commuter trains are heavily overcrowded and made up of aged rolling stock, but for a very high percentage of travellers, particularly in the south Wales commuter belt, it seems the same mindset prevails generally, even when travelling from stations with full booking office facilities and lightly loaded trains.

The perception seems to be that its the 'I'm always ready to pay if they ask me, but don't see why I should make an effort to pay if they don't ask' attitude that prevails.

The fact is that if this scenario is presented to the Courts, legal precedent supports the judgement that this is regarded as fare evasion.

I agree that there are many more things that can be done to make it easier for people to always get a ticket before travelling and relying wholly on modern technological solutions isn't the answer. Apart from the obvious failings of a worn-out infrastructure in many areas despite some renewals, it is wholly unrealistic to expect that every intending traveller should always be able to pay by card at unstaffed stations.

There are many reasons why card only TVM's are shunned however the biggest is that folk still prefer to pay cash especially for smaller transactions and on the day trips in S Wales Valleys are predominately under £10.00.

Its going to take the new Metro and service improvements and a switch to smart cards before any change happens.

Theirs TVM's on ATW network that reputably only do TOD collections.

 

[PHILIPE]

There are many reasons why card only TVM's are shunned however the biggest is that folk still prefer to pay cash especially for smaller transactions and on the day trips in S Wales Valleys are predominately under £10.00.

Its going to take the new Metro and service improvements and a switch to smart cards before any change happens.

Theirs TVM's on ATW network that reputably only do TOD collections.

You've only got to see ATW Twitter to see the number of complaints re mal-functioning or non-functioning TVMs. Some people, I'm sure, will have lost confidence in their reliability

 

[Gareth Marston]

You've only got to see ATW Twitter to see the number of complaints re ma-functioning or non-functioning TVMs. Some people, I'm sure, will have lost confidence in their reliability

Had people turn up to collect TOD's last 2 days fromWelshpool as its faulty. We're 14 miles away, made one person wince when I pointed out they could have paid less buying on the day off the conductor for their Anytime Day Returns bought off Trainline.....not great advert for industry all that time on Internet drive down to Welshpool cross the long footbridge down to the platform find itsnotworking, drive 14milex wait in a queue and find out they haven't saved a penny at all by buying in advance.

 

[aleph_0]

Regarding the cultural issue, is there also a bias towards fewer season ticket users, or shorter-period season tickets? Anecdotally, I believe this is the case.

I think part of the reason for the pay-when-challenged culture is that it is worthwhile for the user. If "having the cash ready", but not paying a reasonable proportion of the time is more profitable than a season, people will go for the pay as you go option. I'd suggest people are also likely to avoid using the card machine, even if card is just as convenient.

If I was ATW, I would look at building up staff and targeting lines systematically for a continuous campaign. Man the stations to ensure payment before boarding, supplement with RPI team using the block to catch people lying about origin station. But also supplement with the carrot - an initiative to push season tickets, sell the benefits, maybe launch a direct debit season ticket scheme, like GA, or other 'promotional' style offers (SWT's 6 free weekend tickets, or gold-card style feature).

My hypothesis being that if you do this well, people will see the savings, and switch. You'll also reduce on-train sales, allowing the guard to serve the whole train more, reducing the amount of 'accidental' fare-dodging.

 

[Fare-Cop]

Regarding the cultural issue, is there also a bias towards fewer season ticket users, or shorter-period season tickets? Anecdotally, I believe this is the case.

I think part of the reason for the pay-when-challenged culture is that it is worthwhile for the user. If "having the cash ready", but not paying a reasonable proportion of the time is more profitable than a season, people will go for the pay as you go option. I'd suggest people are also likely to avoid using the card machine, even if card is just as convenient.

Yes, there seems to be an ingrained opposition by many people to making savings by buying weekly or season tickets, even where commuters are using the same peak trains every day and it seems this can only be because you are right in saying it is more profitable for them not to do so.

If I was ATW, I would look at building up staff and targeting lines systematically for a continuous campaign. Man the stations to ensure payment before boarding, supplement with RPI team using the block to catch people lying about origin station.

These initiatives are already operating in small part, but perhaps not as robustly as your suggestion would require.

But also supplement with the carrot - an initiative to push season tickets, sell the benefits, maybe launch a direct debit season ticket scheme, like GA, or other 'promotional' style offers (SWT's 6 free weekend tickets, or gold-card style feature).

My hypothesis being that if you do this well, people will see the savings, and switch. You'll also reduce on-train sales, allowing the guard to serve the whole train more, reducing the amount of 'accidental' fare-dodging.

Yes, I agree that in addition to more robust enforcement there need to be meaningful improvements to service and value in order to drive effective change in behaviour

 

[WelshBluebird]

This is exactly right. More than 5 years ago ATW published a press release highlighting exactly this 'custom & practice' of 'paying only if asked to do so' as the problem that they were tackling by installing more TVMs and putting new warning posters up at all stations advising their 'buy before you board' policy, backed up by more robust enforcement.

They advertised their intention further by publishing their updated revenue enforcement & prosecution policy that can be found here https://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/RevenueEnforcementPolicy/ and they reminded travellers that this is in line with the DfT national railway byelaws.

WelshBluebird is right that the despite widespread publicity, the public have largely ignored the advertising and 'carried on regardless'.

That is perhaps not surprising given that the majority of TVMs installed only take card payments and peak period commuter trains are heavily overcrowded and made up of aged rolling stock, but for a very high percentage of travellers, particularly in the south Wales commuter belt, it seems the same mindset prevails generally, even when travelling from stations with full booking office facilities and lightly loaded trains.

The perception seems to be that its the 'I'm always ready to pay if they ask me, but don't see why I should make an effort to pay if they don't ask' attitude that prevails.

The fact is that if this scenario is presented to the Courts, legal precedent supports the judgement that this is regarded as fare evasion.

I agree that there are many more things that can be done to make it easier for people to always get a ticket before travelling and relying wholly on modern technological solutions isn't the answer. Apart from the obvious failings of a worn-out infrastructure in many areas despite some renewals, it is wholly unrealistic to expect that every intending traveller should always be able to pay by card at unstaffed stations.

I think the main reason is simply that people travelling in the area generally aren't used to having to do it, so generally won't do it. Especially when you look at the actual valleys where ticket machines and offices are just non existent (even now). People end up going about their lives, travelling on trains, paying the guard when they come through and unless they have previously lived elsewhere just think that is the norm - that if the station is manned or barriered then you buy but otherwise the normal act is to pay the guard. It sounds totally stupid, but concept of having to buy a ticket before boarding was totally alien to me until I ended up travelling by train to places outside of the valley lines network.

Regarding the cultural issue, is there also a bias towards fewer season ticket users, or shorter-period season tickets? Anecdotally, I believe this is the case.

I think part of the reason for the pay-when-challenged culture is that it is worthwhile for the user. If "having the cash ready", but not paying a reasonable proportion of the time is more profitable than a season, people will go for the pay as you go option. I'd suggest people are also likely to avoid using the card machine, even if card is just as convenient.

If I was ATW, I would look at building up staff and targeting lines systematically for a continuous campaign. Man the stations to ensure payment before boarding, supplement with RPI team using the block to catch people lying about origin station. But also supplement with the carrot - an initiative to push season tickets, sell the benefits, maybe launch a direct debit season ticket scheme, like GA, or other 'promotional' style offers (SWT's 6 free weekend tickets, or gold-card style feature).

My hypothesis being that if you do this well, people will see the savings, and switch. You'll also reduce on-train sales, allowing the guard to serve the whole train more, reducing the amount of 'accidental' fare-dodging.

Regarding the culture, I really don't think it is as close to fare dodging as you suggest. Certainly based on my experiences growing up there, it was just a "that is how it works" attitude to buying onboard the train. That attitude will take a long time and a lot of effort to change because that is been how those services have worked, in some cases for decades.

Now, I am not saying there are not a significant number of chancers / scumbags. I've seen enough myself (so have the guards - it can be quite funny actually to see some of the kids try to avoid paying but the guard obviously knows the tricks and catches them). But I don't think that is anywhere near the majority.

In terms of season tickets - going back a few years to when the ToC was Valley Lines, there certainly were incentives for season tickets. Can't remember the exact details know but I think they did a few things like free weekend travel on the valley lines network and cheaper tickets for someone travelling with you. But those disappeared with ATW from what I remember (again, this is going back to when I was a kid!).

 

[bnm]

In my experience; there are no formal targets of say, Penalty fare/prosecutions processed, however department targets might be, for example, staff attendance, percentage of Penalty fares paid on the spot, Percentage of successful appeals, staff assaults, and so on. I would however expect a manager to ask questions of a member of staff who falls way below the average for that route/area or otherwise performs below what is expected

Widely reported recently that GWR expect their RPIs to 'find' 28 fare irregularities each working week. If not then the RPI is put on a performance review. So RPIs in this instance are being incentivised. "Reach the target or we'll start questioning your suitability for the job."

 

[Jonny]

Widely reported recently that GWR expect their RPIs to 'find' 28 fare irregularities each working week. If not then the RPI is put on a performance review. So RPIs in this instance are being incentivised. "Reach the target or we'll start questioning your suitability for the job."

If revealed in a contested court case, it could be favourable to the defence, especially if they cannot justify it with statistics on general ticketless travel.

 

[najaB]

If revealed in a contested court case, it could be favourable to the defence, especially if they cannot justify it with statistics on general ticketless travel.

Indeed it could be.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Newport,Cathays,Central, Queen St, Bridgend, Caerphilly & Pontypridd are all barriered now. The chances of a regular commuter getting away without paying on the odd day are pretty low unless they did smaller station to smaller station and even then they'd be fairly obvious to staff who would see them everyday.

Its the irregular leisure trade that predominantly boards without buying. On normal weekdays when were here we get 95% of passengers buy in the ticket office or look like there on return legs. Come Saturdays and School Holidays the % who board without buying shoots up and can be 40% plus on some trains.

TVM's and the Buy before you board campaign have not trumped the fact that everyone knows you can buy onboard. If the new holder of the Wales and Border franchsie want to change this - they will have to put a lot more creative effort, time and £ into it.

 

[Antman]

If revealed in a contested court case, it could be favourable to the defence, especially if they cannot justify it with statistics on general ticketless travel.

Why? If RPIs are generally issuing more than that (and they must be otherwise they would all be subject to action) then why would the fact an RPI is expected to issue that number matter to a prosecution.

Either the facts of the case support the guilt of the person traveling or they don't. They can't claim they shouldn't be prosecuted just because the RPI has a target and should have just let them off.

 

[FenMan]

Why?

Because people who have the threat of a performance review over their heads can act to make the threat go away in ways that are not completely above board. Human nature.

 

[najaB]

Why?

Because the RPI's report is assumed to be that of a disinterested observer. Being performance managed on the number cases raised casts some doubt on that assumption.

 

[Clip]

Because the RPI's report is assumed to be that of a disinterested observer. Being performance managed on the number cases raised casts some doubt on that assumption.

Sorry but I have to disagree here. An RPI is not meant to be a disinterested observer at all - their job is to be interested in peoples tickets and make sure they have one and it is valid for the journey taken - to say otherwise makes a mockery of revenue blocks and their job on trains.

Targets may make 'some' be less than genuine with cases they pursue but its going to be few and far between and targets may actually make some actually do their job properly and all shift too.

 

[TPJ]

Unless it has gone this week next to the entrance to Barry Town Station and the TVM there is a notice which tells customers to buy on the train when the booking office is closed. The office now closes early afternoon and fully on Sundays.
Re WelshBluebirds remarks when I had an annual (now retired) I could use it anywhere on the Valley Lines at weekends. Had one from Barry Island to Coryton for many many years and was great for weekend travel.

 

[father_jack]

This was sent to me and is now a few years old but always makes me chuckle......... And there's a lot of good advice (but a few errors) in there !!!

TIPS ON RAISING YOUR TAKINGS

Always ensure you have plenty of ticket stock & if working a morning peak turn insert a full pack in the cradle when starting your machine up. There is nothing worse than running out of tickets when your train is packed. The half used packs can be used on the quieter afternoon turns. The amount of times I've joined a train at Fairwater & the guard has just ran out of tickets, Well (And to make it worse they have been sat at Radyr for over 10 minuets)

Enter the Popular Product code for your first route. Not all Guards use Popular Products & refuse to do so but that is their choice, however it has been proved that they are at least twice as quick & certainly easier to use.(ASK THE GUARDS THAT USE THEM & NOT THE ONES WHO DONT) Twice as quick means twice as many sales = twice as much Ticket Bonus!

Ensure you have a full £50 float & your own spare change and extra £5 notes can come in very handy. It is quicker when issuing tickets to have all your change in the one pocket. Some people prefer to split coins into separate pockets but surely it’s quicker to dip into one pocket instead of two.

Your notes should be slotted into your pocket in value order – this being £10 notes next to your chest with £5 notes in the front of the pocket. This means when you’re given a £10 note for a fare which warrants a £5 in the change, pull out the front note (If this note is a £10 then you’re out of fiver's!) This saves the fussing about time of opening your pocket & trying to separate or even pull them all out (In some cases dropping them all over the floor) while trying to find a fiver which aint there.

£20 notes go in the other breast pocket. When you have a spare minute or two transfer the majority of Tenner’s into the £20 note pocket. If you feel this big bundle is “On Show” to the public – put them tidily folded into a money bag & into one of your back trouser pockets. Same with loose change – Bag up 20 £1 coins when possible to help when looking for smaller value coins.

If leaving coins in the cab always make sure their hidden the best you can, the cab door is locked & the window shut tight.

While carrying out revenue duties try to avoid saying “Any More Fares Please” unless your next station has ticket barriers. This is the only time people will ask for one as not to queue. Very few people nowadays would part with their hard earned cash if they are leaving the train at an open station.

I find it better to shout “Thank You, Tickets please Ladies & Gents. You will then find the passengers who have just joined think you’re doing a full ticket check & will ask for one instead of playing with their phones & trying to ignore you. If you’re unsure about anyone just ask to see it again – If they’re not happy about this then Hey Ho!

Do not accept “I'm going to renew my monthly at Cardiff” – Simply sell them a single & explain that the cost of the single will be refunded of the price of the monthly when they renew it. Far too many people try this excuse & get off at stations en route or even Cardiff Bay – Which we all know is the gateway for “free loaders” at peak times. You may also come across a passenger who says” Oh, ok give me a return then” which basically confirms they had no intention of renewing it at Cardiff.

Also when Passengers claim to be picking their pre booked tickets up at Cardiff or wave a paper collection order form (Which anyone could print out on a word Document). Quickly explain they need a ticket for travel now & the money will be refunded when collection is made of the Pre Booked one. Very often their Pre Booked ticket is only from Cardiff Central to their destination meaning they have a free ride to Cardiff.

Non “Advance” London (Saver, Super of Peak etc) tickets are the same price from all Valley stations as Cardiff Central but ATW get a bigger share of the cost if it’s to/from a Valley Station. So if the ticket is only from Cardiff Central then a single to Cardiff should be sold. (Most times to very disgruntled passengers) Even though most claim it back!

Always carry photo cards on you as very often passengers have a photo on them ready to purchase a weekly. Blue wallets can also be obtained from booking offices. Some passenger’s wallets are dropping to bits & a new one thrust in their faces make their day!

When working Coryton Services you will find that most or if not all passengers travelling from Coryton to Ty Glas or Heath Low will position themselves at the very front of the train – So if time permits (While the driver is changing ends) do a quick check of the ones who don’t normally pay or just start from the front on departure.

Same at Merthyr/Treherbert/Aberdare & Rhymney – Most of the £2.10 singles will be in the front end so have a sweep through b4 departing or better still start from the front – They love it – NOT!

Leaving Dingle Rd( Peak Time) Front end catches all the singles To Grangetown & you then have ample time to do the remainder B4 reaching Central.

Rail-cards – Always ask to see the rail-card but make sure you have their ticket in your hand before you do so. Many Students press the Discounted fares on the TVM,s but have no rail-card. You will find they will “Do the Ticket dance” B4 saying “Oh I've not got it on me at the moment” or some crap about leaving in their other coat etc. Have NONE of this & charge then the full fare & NOT the difference to what they have tried to get away with paying. We all know what they’re doing so explain that “They've Gambled & Lost” Retain the Discounted ticket on yourself as some may ask for it back use later on or flog it to a friend etc.

Many rail-cards have a faded or no date at all showing – Again ask for a closer look & with a lighter wave the flame under the date on the black strip & the date will appear in seconds. Don’t worry, the ticket won’t catch fire or even cause any smoke. Some are years out of date – And not all the Pensioners are as honest as you would think either!

When working 4 cars(off peak) try to work two only. In some cases you will be able to lock the rear two (for example southbound from Treherbert returning of an evening peak service or Northbound in the morning.) Operate the doors from the rear of the front set & when passengers see you they will try to avoid you by walking to the rear set. Simply open your crew door & say “This one please”. You will then find they will probably walk to the very front , again to try to avoid paying.

Northbound 4 cars sets base yourself in the front two all the way up from PPD whichever valley your on – there are plenty more fares to collect in the front !

“Loose” Season tickets that are not in wallets & next to the photo cards when shown to me really get my bells ringing – Lots of friends & Couples try to share them. So if you’re lucky enough to come across one such ticket simply ask for a closer inspection (Say you've got the wrong glasses on or summat & need a closer look) but make sure you have the ticket in your hand before the drilling starts. Inform the passenger that the season ticket is ONLY valid with a matching numbered photo card. They won’t be too bothered about you saying this(Because they usually make out there talking on their phones) and generally agree to buy a ticket of you. However the fun starts when you put the season in your pocket & inform them that it’s going to your Manager for investigation as it may have been lost or stolen. Quickly inform them that it’s nothing to worry about as if it is there’s they can bring I.D to Cardiff Booking Office & pick it up. (Which NEVER happens as it’s not theirs) You generally find in these cases that the passenger is begging to have it back of you as they will have to explain & probably pay the person whom they have borrowed it off! Hey Ho!

Few More Here:

If anyone asks for a single to Cardiff & they have luggage etc ALWAYS ask if they are catching another train when they get to Cardiff & if they need another ticket.

These new phone app things – The top of the phone screen MUST be sliding left / right & coloured (If it’s still & Grey its expired) so a ticket is to be sold.

If they have not activated it & try to do so when questioned – Its Too late as this MUST be done before boarding the service. They are just trying to get away with travelling without using their ticket app.

Morning Peak Heading into Cardiff Central – Quick dash thro between Queen St & Central can net you hundreds of £’s especially if you get a signal check on a Monday! (“Any more fares please” will work at this stage)

Cardiff Bays Services – Don’t assume everyone has a ticket because of the Barriers at Queen St – Lots come off other trains with NO Tickets at all.

Northbound at Cathays, start from the front – in fact Key out, Walk up the platform to save time while passengers are boarding. Plenty of singles to Llandaff will be found sat in the “I don’t wanna pay seats”.

City Line(Peak time) – Try to be at the front leaving Waungron Park – You will find a fair few going to NNP who are not too keen on parting with their cash!

City Line (Evening Peak) Start front to get the NNP few who got in for free in the morning!

Evening Peak – Look out for Weekly’s that expire that evening & offer to renew it for the following day. Say “ This will save you queueing in the morning” If your unsure how to issue a weekly for the following day – Teritary Services, season Enquiry, Change the date to the following day then enter details as required. DONT forget to change the date.

And last but not least (For Now) : , XXXX joins at Llandaff, Scruffy Chap looks like Steptoe, has been using this train for as long as I've been a guard. He sneaks in very quickly and always sits the closest to the front as possible. He really hates paying – Very often tries a £20 note in case you’ve no change, so make sure you have him. You never know, if we all do him he may end up buying a weekly!!

There will be a prize for the first Guard to sell one to him OK!

Have fun everyone, being polite, calm,and careful & never forget SAFETY FIRST.

 

[Pinza-C55]

This was sent to me and is now a few years old but always makes me chuckle......... And there's a lot of good advice (but a few errors) in there !!!

TIPS ON RAISING YOUR TAKINGS
When working 4 cars(off peak) try to work two only. In some cases you will be able to lock the rear two (for example southbound from Treherbert returning of an evening peak service or Northbound in the morning.) Operate the doors from the rear of the front set & when passengers see you they will try to avoid you by walking to the rear set. Simply open your crew door & say “This one please”. You will then find they will probably walk to the very front , again to try to avoid paying.
Northbound 4 cars sets base yourself in the front two all the way up from PPD whichever valley your on – there are plenty more fares to collect in the front !
Have fun everyone, being polite, calm,and careful & never forget SAFETY FIRST.

They must have changed the rules since my day because we were NOT to work a 2 + 2 formation from the front set.

"when passengers see you they will try to avoid you by walking to the rear set. Simply open your crew door & say “This one please”. You will then find they will probably walk to the very front , again to try to avoid paying."

That's silly advice. At every station they will be walking back then forward again, so after a few stations you may have lost time.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Does anyone have insight on how these attitudes play out between different lines. with VOG and Ebbw Vale reopening the decades old entrenched attitudes should not be prevelant?

At risk of repeating the cure is investment and communities buying in to the product on offer. Pacers produce customer resistance they send a message out. The ATW franchise agreement a mortified the network in the early 90's should we be surprised at how people view and treat it?