Excessing single to return tickets, how do you know they're genuine?

[Talbot]

Came across this recently and it made me think about how this could be abused by some folks in the know.
Story is, two passengers showed me two single tickets from Partick to Ayr, this was on the return journey from Ayr. They then asked for two singles to Partick but if I would exchange their original tickets to an excess fare, change of ticket type. Obviously the exchange would give a cheaper fare than buying another single, but, what made me think was this.
What if these folks had picked these tickets off a table once the train had arrived at Ayr and they belonged to someone else ( as you know most folks leave their tickets somewhere on the train) how would you judge this, suspicious or what ?. Could be some of them are quite smart when it comes to paying fares.

 

[CarterUSM]

Came across this recently and it made me think about how this could be abused by some folks in the know.
Story is, two passengers showed me two single tickets from Partick to Ayr, this was on the return journey from Ayr. They then asked for two singles to Partick but if I would exchange their original tickets to an excess fare, change of ticket type. Obviously the exchange would give a cheaper fare than buying another single, but, what made me think was this.
What if these folks had picked these tickets off a table once the train had arrived at Ayr and they belonged to someone else ( as you know most folks leave their tickets somewhere on the train) how would you judge this, suspicious or what ?. Could be some of them are quite smart when it comes to paying fares.

You wouldn't excess singles that have already expired. Though in rare cases I have done so myself, such as booking office errors and the like, if the passenger concerned has sought me out.

 

[Solent&Wessex]

You wouldn't excess singles that have already expired. Though in rare cases I have done so myself, such as booking office errors and the like, if the passenger concerned has sought me out.

Indeed. I won't excess a ticket once it has expired - ie a single ticket once the destination on the ticket has been reached or a return ticket such as a CDR the day after. I also won't excess a return unless both portions are present.

 

[Flamingo]

Came across this recently and it made me think about how this could be abused by some folks in the know.
Story is, two passengers showed me two single tickets from Partick to Ayr, this was on the return journey from Ayr. They then asked for two singles to Partick but if I would exchange their original tickets to an excess fare, change of ticket type. Obviously the exchange would give a cheaper fare than buying another single, but, what made me think was this.
What if these folks had picked these tickets off a table once the train had arrived at Ayr and they belonged to someone else ( as you know most folks leave their tickets somewhere on the train) how would you judge this, suspicious or what ?. Could be some of them are quite smart when it comes to paying fares.

Suspicious, aren't you? I like that!

As said, if someone asks me on an outward journey to change a single to a return, then yes. If they have already started their return journey, then no.

 

[tony_mac]

I also won't excess a return unless both portions are present.

Do you mean you won't excess the outward portion?

I've often had the return portion alone excessed, I would have thought that was pretty standard; who keeps a used outward portion, just in case?

(Yes, excessing a single on the return journey is rather suspicious, even to me!)

 

[Talbot]

You wouldn't excess singles that have already expired. Though in rare cases I have done so myself, such as booking office errors and the like, if the passenger concerned has sought me out.

Yep, fair point buddy, but what if it was at the end of the single journey and someone noticed a ticket from Glasgow, they might have got on at Troon and were going up to Glasgow later, how do you judge that ?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Suspicious, aren't you? I like that!

As said, if someone asks me on an outward journey to change a single to a return, then yes. If they have already started their return journey, then no.

Sorry Flamingo, just posted my last before I seen yours.

 

[Solent&Wessex]

Do you mean you won't excess the outward portion?

I've often had the return portion alone excessed, I would have thought that was pretty standard; who keeps a used outward portion, just in case?

(Yes, excessing a single on the return journey is rather suspicious, even to me!)

Sorry, that is what I meant to say. Using my phone and missed that bit out when typing on the smaller screen! I should also add that should someone have a ticket A - B , and the train I am on is fast A - C, then I will excess the A - B ticket into an A - C ticket, even if we have already passed through B at speed.

 

[Talbot]

Sorry, that is what I meant to say. Using my phone and missed that bit out when typing on the smaller screen! I should also add that should someone have a ticket A - B , and the train I am on is fast A - C, then I will excess the A - B ticket into an A - C ticket, even if we have already passed through B at speed.

Wow, take it you are a whizbomb with your avantix.

 

[yorkie]

A ticket is not supposed to be excessed once it has been fully used (e.g. passenger has reached their destination and/or the date has expired) however if this was the passengers first opportunity (e.g. they had bought a single ticket from a TVM in error, boarded a train without a ticket inspector, and exited an unstaffed station) then obviously common sense says that's an exception. If that's the case, and you were still suspicious, you could ask where the ticket was purchased and/or the method of payment. If the passenger claims to have paid in cash and the price has an 'X' then alarm bells would ring!

 

[CarterUSM]

Yep, fair point buddy, but what if it was at the end of the single journey and someone noticed a ticket from Glasgow, they might have got on at Troon and were going up to Glasgow later, how do you judge that ?

I'm not sure I get you talbot. Do you mean if someone picks up a used single from Glasgow to Troon and uses it later? If you strongly suspect someone is doing that it does no harm to ask a few questions about their purchase of the said ticket. If it does concern you a lot, then you can always pick up used tickets lying around the train and bin them during turnaround, I do so on some services just minimize any possible monkey business.

 

[Tomonthetrain]

If i need a excess, i usually present myself to the rpi/tm/te/guard upon boarding so they know that i require one.

 

[Flamingo]

If i need a excess, i usually present myself to the rpi/tm/te/guard upon boarding so they know that i require one.

Smart. Thank you!