Circling of date on ticket?

[tsr]

How is the Guard to know where you are alighting? (Or, in many cases, where you entrained?)

They can ask for the information, and then they can write the date of travel*, the train's headcode, and the words "Up to", followed by the three-letter code of the station you have told them you're travelling to.

If the passenger doesn't know exactly when they'll alight, some misuse can still be prevented by marking the ticket with the name of the next stop.

It's very possible to overthink this one!

*if needed...

 

[LowLevel]

I write the date on and if the passenger has the presence of mind to tell me they want to break their journey overnight that goes in the endorsements box on the back. Job done.

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

It's really not an issue. It's easy enough to write on the ticket the stations it has been used between. Some guards do this, some don't. It's up to them and the train companies concerned.

The issue is that, especially on long trains, it's difficult to confirm exactly where a passenger got on. I would be pretty peeved for one if a guard wrote the incorrect stations on my (probably rather expensive) SOR ticket.

 

[yorkie]

The issue is that, especially on long trains, it's difficult to confirm exactly where a passenger got on. I would be pretty peeved for one if a guard wrote the incorrect stations on my (probably rather expensive) SOR ticket.

Why? It doesn't matter much where they got on! It's more useful to write down where they are getting off.

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

Actually, re-use of a ticket is a clear breach of the terms and could possibly be fraud if you claim that a used ticket has not been used.
A loophole, by definition, is within the conditions and the law or exploits a vagueness in them. That doesn't really apply to using the same ticket more than once.

This is a practical loophole rather than a legal loophole - quite clearly, reusing tickets other than as permitted/intended (e.g. season) is illegal.

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

Why? It doesn't matter much where they got on! It's more useful to write down where they are getting off.

But what if they change plans and decide to get off earlier? Suddenly they have to pay again for a part of the journey they've already paid for.

 

[yorkie]

But what if they change plans and decide to get off earlier? Suddenly they have to pay again for a part of the journey they've already paid for.

If I was asked where I was alighting and I wasn't sure, say I wasn't sure, and there isn't really much that could be done (other than marking the ticket as used to the next relevant station).

 

[Starmill]

This is a practical loophole rather than a legal loophole - quite clearly, reusing tickets other than as permitted/intended (e.g. season) is illegal.

Personally I am not really sure where this distinction lies? Re-using the ticket is not allowed - unambiguously so. Doing it and getting away with it does not mean that that moves from being 'illegal' to being a loophole. It just means you got away with breaking the rules.

 

[6Gman]

I've always assumed that ringing the date is simply a response to checking the date.

But I much prefer a proper stamp (date, train id, user id).

 

[Nick66]

Today I got a good old fashioned punched hole for what it’s worth

 

[Mutant Lemming]

What is the most you could legitimately break your journey with a standard ordinary single ticket ? Is there a record for this out there somewhere ? People have mentioned that it shouldn't be used like a rover ticket but doesn't it's validity allow just that providing you keep heading in the same direction ?

 

[snail]

I've always assumed that ringing the date is simply a response to checking the date.

But I much prefer a proper stamp (date, train id, user id).

Yes, when I am changing trains en route I sometimes ask them to write the date so the next person to check doesn't accuse me of reusing the ticket.

 

[185]

Re - Outwards valid for 5 days:
Question in relation to this. Can/should the passenger be expected to produce the return portion whilst travelling on the outbound? Is this a reasonable request?

(ie It would expose those who already returned, and were doing it again)

 

[Hadders]

Re - Outwards valid for 5 days:
Question in relation to this. Can/should the passenger be expected to produce the return portion whilst travelling on the outbound? Is this a reasonable request?

(ie It would expose those who already returned, and were doing it again)

Yes, this is frequently done and is allowed as per the NRCoT.

 

[185]

Brill, thanks. It's a handy one to catch the re-users.

 

[185143]

Re - Outwards valid for 5 days:
Question in relation to this. Can/should the passenger be expected to produce the return portion whilst travelling on the outbound? Is this a reasonable request?

(ie It would expose those who already returned, and were doing it again)

It'd only catch them if their ticket had been marked surely?

 

[xotGD]

I write the date on and if the passenger has the presence of mind to tell me they want to break their journey overnight that goes in the endorsements box on the back. Job done.

Why should a ticket have to be endorsed in order to be used in accordance with its standard terms of validity?

 

[LowLevel]

Why should a ticket have to be endorsed in order to be used in accordance with its standard terms of validity?

It doesn't have to be. However I am a nice guard and a realist. If it isn't endorsed and a passenger says to me they've had a break overnight, I'll smile and say no worries and move on.

Being a realist however means I know that break of journey is something commonly misunderstand and they may run into bother down the road. The endorsement from another staff member is something they can use in the event of difficulty.

 

[185]

It'd only catch them if their ticket had been marked surely?

Perhaps, still handy. There's also the magstrip on the rear which could show gate use.