Friend reported for possible prosecution (false name & address given)

[MidnightFlyer]

Sorry for the off-topic diversion, but I believe ainsworth74 was technically correct too - a lot became PayTrain in the late 60s and early 70s, however some were later, I seem to recall Edinburgh-North Berwick was 1985. Some around Manchester were well into the 1990s before booking offices shut and you bought onboard!

As for the matter in hand, maybe it should be pointed out that every station in the country will have station info posters, which will display whether or not it has a booking office or ticket machine, or whether you need to buy onboard etc. Although this may not be of use this time round, hopefully it will serve as a reminder for future or for anyone else in a similar position reading this thread!

 

[johnnychips]

As for the matter in hand, maybe it should be pointed out that every station in the country will have station info posters, which will display whether or not it has a booking office or ticket machine, or whether you need to buy onboard etc. Although this may not be of use this time round, hopefully it will serve as a reminder for future or for anyone else in a similar position reading this thread!

I'm a teacher, and Ofsted have a fetish about wall displays in the classroom. My colleagues and I know that unless they are in large letters and no more than ten words that students do not read them; similarly for students who use the room often, they become habituated to them and they are no more than a background blur.

The same thing must happen at stations. Does anybody really notice or take in posters, especially wordy ones, unless they are really bored waiting for a train. These days, even less notice will be taken as passengers have i-pods, phones and pads to distract and occupy them.

If the OP and his mate have got into the habit of buying tickets on the train, I think only loud, frequent oral announcements would manage to advise them that they should think about doing otherwise. (Of course the false address was daft).

 

[sheff1]

Does anybody really notice or take in posters, especially wordy ones, unless they are really bored waiting for a train.

Agreed, that is the only time I actually read them ... and then I am often shocked at the nonsense and untruths you can find !

I think only loud, frequent oral announcements would manage to advise them that they should think about doing otherwise

No good if they are listening to music on their i-pods

 

[johnnychips]

No good if they are listening to music on their i-pods

Ah... erm... never thought of that!

 

[andykn]

I'm a teacher, and Ofsted have a fetish about wall displays in the classroom. My colleagues and I know that unless they are in large letters and no more than ten words that students do not read them; similarly for students who use the room often, they become habituated to them and they are no more than a background blur.

There are ten different signs on or near the exit door of a Greater Anglia first class carriage!

 

[Tibbs]

There are ten different signs on or near the exit door of a Greater Anglia first class carriage!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4

'Nuff said

 

[Chapeltom]

Maybe on the announcements they do at stations, they could include one at staffed stations that goes

"It is an offence to board a train without a valid ticket or pass, please ensure you have a ticket before you board. Thank you"

 

[jon0844]

Real, but their old address

In that case, I'm sure they'll be able to use a range of methods to find him.

With most agencies sharing data now, I doubt it will take them very long (but probably too long to avoid being able to negotiate a settlement before it goes to court).

So, all the more reason for your friend to act quickly - or consider moving again, and never using a train again.

One thing to note is that many RPIs will make their own note of the person they've dealt with (clothing, height, age, appearance) and so if he just carries on, he'll be constantly looking over his shoulder for that RPI.. or possibly worrying that he has been recognised and transport police have been called.

Far better to just confess now.

 

[RPI]

I've just skimmed throught this thread but to put it in a nutshell, false name but correct address? 90% chance they will succeed in tracing the correct person.

 

[maniacmartin]

every station in the country will have station info posters, which will display whether or not it has a booking office or ticket machine, or whether you need to buy onboard etc.

I don't think this is true. Some rural stations just have platforms and perhaps timetables

 

[wintonian]

I don't think this is true. Some rural stations just have platforms and perhaps timetables

Just to demonstrate the point, admittedly there is a ticket machine and a timetable behind me, but this situation is quite common.