Are you required to state your reason for travelling?

[jednick]

This started off as a joke at work, but leads to an interesting question.

If a railway employee, be it in the ticket office or the guard on the train, asks you the reason why you're going to a particular destination, are you obligated to give them a reason why you're travelling there?

I mean, let's say they see your destination station is very obscure, and they ask why you're going there, are you well within your rights to tell them to mind their own business?

 

[fowler9]

This started off as a joke at work, but leads to an interesting question.

If a railway employee, be it in the ticket office or the guard on the train, asks you the reason why you're going to a particular destination, are you obligated to give them a reason why you're travelling there?

I mean, let's say they see your destination station is very obscure, and they ask why you're going there, are you well within your rights to tell them to mind their own business?

I'd just say business or leisure if I was bothered. Half the time I'd just tell them because I have a big mouth. Ha ha.

 

[Mag_seven]

If a railway employee, be it in the ticket office or the guard on the train, asks you the reason why you're going to a particular destination, are you obligated to give them a reason why you're travelling there?

No you are not.

 

[Bald Rick]

If, perhaps you had booked a one-way ticket to Lympstone Commando, with two big crates branded 'ACME TNT' on the side, I can see why you might be asked....

 

[fowler9]

If, perhaps you had booked a one-way ticket to Lympstone Commando, with two big crates branded 'ACME TNT' on the side, I can see why you might be asked....

Ha ha ha. Going back to what I said then I wouldn't have thought they have the right to ask. I never have a problem with those passenger surveys though. Was once getting on a bus in Hamilton, New Zealand and was getting off at Waiomu. The driver asked "What the hell are you going there for?". Not because it wasn't a nice place but because it was a bit off the tourist trail other than driving through it so two Brits having tickets terminating there was unusual. Sorry, maybe slightly off topic.

 

[jednick]

How about buying a return ticket to a really terrible place...and then complaining to the ticket office when you return that the place was awful and you want a refund!

 

[fowler9]

How about buying a return ticket to a really terrible place...and then complaining to the ticket office when you return that the place was awful and you want a refund!

Not sure you'd get a refund because you didn't like the place you bought a ticket to.

 

[Howardh]

"Why are you going to xyz?"

"Going watching the football"

"Ah, it's been called off, you can get off at the next station and there's a train back shortly after."

"Thank you, guard!".

 

[hairyhandedfool]

This started off as a joke at work, but leads to an interesting question.

If a railway employee, be it in the ticket office or the guard on the train, asks you the reason why you're going to a particular destination, are you obligated to give them a reason why you're travelling there?

I mean, let's say they see your destination station is very obscure, and they ask why you're going there, are you well within your rights to tell them to mind their own business?

Generally speaking, no you don't have to say, but I think there are a couple of stations that are intended only for staff of a local facility or army base and a sale might be refused if you don't say.

There may be good reason to say though. One is as noted by howardh, another is if you are trying to get to the wrong place, or if you are unaware that another option is cheaper/quicker or makes more sense.

 

[edwin_m]

If you're using staff travel facilities presumably they have the right to know whether you are using them for leisure, residential or business travel since they may not be valid for all three.

 

[Flamingo]

This started off as a joke at work, but leads to an interesting question.

If a railway employee, be it in the ticket office or the guard on the train, asks you the reason why you're going to a particular destination, are you obligated to give them a reason why you're travelling there?

I mean, let's say they see your destination station is very obscure, and they ask why you're going there, are you well within your rights to tell them to mind their own business?

They might be making polite conversation, trying to figure out if a plusbus might be appropriate, if another ticket or route would suit you better, or just plain nosy.

You never know, it might even be that they are trying to help!

 

[455driver]

If, perhaps you had booked a one-way ticket to Lympstone Commando, with two big crates branded 'ACME TNT' on the side, I can see why you might be asked....

Although that would be legitimate as they would have 'business' at the camp!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

They might be making polite conversation, trying to figure out if a plusbus might be appropriate, if another ticket or route would suit you better, or just plain nosy.

You never know, it might even be that they are trying to help!

And when that Customer says "mind your own business" the staff member wont bother asking anyone else, then those passengers can come on here moaning about grumpy staff not being very helpful! :roll:

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

How about buying a return ticket to a really terrible place...and then complaining to the ticket office when you return that the place was awful and you want a refund!

Somewhere like Hattersley or Brinnington for example...

 

[12CSVT]

I seem to remember FGW were demanding 'proof of residence' from people travelling to / from Reading West a few years ago.