T
Tom
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Revenue Protection Inspector.
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GNER threaten passengers, but back down when challenged
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'Revenue Protection Inspector', however it is alleged that in some cases some TOCs/bus companies are not "protecting" revenue, but actually attempting to gain revenue by charging amounts that are disproportionately high compared to the fare, and this is increasingly being done to passengers who were not attempting to avoid paying the fare at all.
gingerheid
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Got to say I've never had a small problem with GNER that they haven't managed to turn into a bigger one for me.
First time I started using them regularly was when they'd just started the quiet carraige. Never told me they'd booked me onto a quiet carriage, so when I found out thought it would be best to move (me one of those swines that use phone lots). Hitler's sister checked the tickets and told me to go back to the quiet coach as that's where my reservation was!!!
Naturally, being the ackward swine that I am I did, waited until she started checking the tickets there, and whipped out the phone. She still didn't think it would be a good idea for me to move, but in the ensuing discussion it turned out the vast majority of the carriage hadn't been after a quiet coach anyway.
Since them I've been told that I'm not allowed to use the train after one that's been cancelled without buying a replacement full price ticket and applying for a refund of the cheap advance ticket, that missed cross London connections aren't their problem if it was another companies train that was late, that you aren't allowed to break return journeys on a saver return, and that a specific train ticket wasn't valid until after 0930.
I don't like them. I find a company able to seemlessly merge bullying passangers with obsession with positive media image rather reminiscent of a discredited politcal system formerly prevalent in parts of Eastern Europe.
And no matter what they might think, it's no way to make money. The might con people into paying up once, but anyone with any choice at all won't use them again unless they really have to.
It's also unfortunate for their staff, because it means that you learn to give them about 15 seconds worth of being firm but pleasant, and if they still try and swick money out after that you breeze straight into 110% nasty mode so they go and hassle someone else instead (which seems to work).
Massively impressed by the (very polite and helpful) guy at the platform entrance at Peterborough station (that never makes a nuisance of himself) with the encyclopaedic knowledge of train times connections and platforms though. Dunno how he does it.
First time I started using them regularly was when they'd just started the quiet carraige. Never told me they'd booked me onto a quiet carriage, so when I found out thought it would be best to move (me one of those swines that use phone lots). Hitler's sister checked the tickets and told me to go back to the quiet coach as that's where my reservation was!!!
Naturally, being the ackward swine that I am I did, waited until she started checking the tickets there, and whipped out the phone. She still didn't think it would be a good idea for me to move, but in the ensuing discussion it turned out the vast majority of the carriage hadn't been after a quiet coach anyway.
Since them I've been told that I'm not allowed to use the train after one that's been cancelled without buying a replacement full price ticket and applying for a refund of the cheap advance ticket, that missed cross London connections aren't their problem if it was another companies train that was late, that you aren't allowed to break return journeys on a saver return, and that a specific train ticket wasn't valid until after 0930.
I don't like them. I find a company able to seemlessly merge bullying passangers with obsession with positive media image rather reminiscent of a discredited politcal system formerly prevalent in parts of Eastern Europe.
And no matter what they might think, it's no way to make money. The might con people into paying up once, but anyone with any choice at all won't use them again unless they really have to.
It's also unfortunate for their staff, because it means that you learn to give them about 15 seconds worth of being firm but pleasant, and if they still try and swick money out after that you breeze straight into 110% nasty mode so they go and hassle someone else instead (which seems to work).
Massively impressed by the (very polite and helpful) guy at the platform entrance at Peterborough station (that never makes a nuisance of himself) with the encyclopaedic knowledge of train times connections and platforms though. Dunno how he does it.
Pathfinder
Member
What imbecile told you you couldnt break your journey on a return portion of a saver return,its common knowledge that you can break your journey as many times as you want on the way back as long as its within the calendar month !
voyagerdude220
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- 13 Oct 2005
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Pathfinder
Member
Also the bit about buying another full price ticket because of cancellation of a service and getting a refund on cheap price ticket,have you ever tried to get a refund on ANY of their tickets,its a nightmare,you have to prove you didnt travel,and then they take an "admin fee" for doing it.Everyone knows the reason for charging a full price fare is to make as much money back as possible to try and make up for the massive bid they put in to keep the ECML franchise,thats one hell of an accountant theyve got there,the staff have also been given a 5.6% pay rise as well which i have been informed was a mistake also,wot do they use to do their figures,an abacus,fingers and toes ?
voyagerdude220
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Soon, the incorrect figures in the Avantix software, for "GNER TRAINS ONLY" London Kings Cross to Leeds (1 Adult) = £999.00 will become reality
First ScotRail
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- 27 Jan 2006
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Personally i find GNER staff a bit of a bit and a miss. Some are ok, some are not. I travel down to york maybe 3 times a year from Glasgow and every time on the 10:00, the staff from newcastle are great down to newcastle then when they change its just awful, i have had coffee spilt all over the table and they just shug there shoulders and say nothing. Coming back north is the worst though. You get on the train at york and it is almost full in 1st class. Once you are seated you get again your drink almost thrown at you and god if you ask for a biscuit well if looks could kill!
However to be fair some GNER staff are good and are very attentive and are constantly up and down the train providing pleanty of information and lots of complimentary goodies (1st class).
Another issue which i dont find very good with GNER is their customer relations, if i write to TPE or FSR or even VT i usually have a reply within 2 weeks and with TPE and FSR within a week! whereas GNER i sometimes end up waiting almost a month!
Going from Glasgow i would travel with VT anyday, there trains are fast, clean, have good staff and the tickets if you book in advance are quite cheap. The service in 1st class on the pendolino i find to be 10 times better than with GNER and the staff as well always have a smile. The trains are pritty punctual as well and from Glasgow to London in 4 hours is quite good i think. Next time i go to york i will still go with GNER due to them offering catering between glasgow and edinburgh whereas VXC doesnt.
I like gner however i do have these problems all to often.
However to be fair some GNER staff are good and are very attentive and are constantly up and down the train providing pleanty of information and lots of complimentary goodies (1st class).
Another issue which i dont find very good with GNER is their customer relations, if i write to TPE or FSR or even VT i usually have a reply within 2 weeks and with TPE and FSR within a week! whereas GNER i sometimes end up waiting almost a month!
Going from Glasgow i would travel with VT anyday, there trains are fast, clean, have good staff and the tickets if you book in advance are quite cheap. The service in 1st class on the pendolino i find to be 10 times better than with GNER and the staff as well always have a smile. The trains are pritty punctual as well and from Glasgow to London in 4 hours is quite good i think. Next time i go to york i will still go with GNER due to them offering catering between glasgow and edinburgh whereas VXC doesnt.
I like gner however i do have these problems all to often.
voyagerdude220
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What do you get free with GNER in FC, apart from drinks and biscuits- If it's just that, it's the same as FGW, but FGW have fantasticly cheap off-peak fares, whilst GNER are way too expensive for my liking in FC.
Well [about VT] what do i say..
That's why i love travelling FC with them.
WessexWarrior
Member
All of this is in sharp contrast with One, who put no ticket inspectors on trains at all. Hum.
However, their staff are the rudest I've ever come across.
However, their staff are the rudest I've ever come across.
Certainly not on ex anglia railways sevices. Are you refering to west anglia?
Paul - sorry to hear that, and I agree it's totally not on.
However I do believe that the chances are that you got London crews, especially given that you are likely to leave KGX in the morning and arrive back there in the evening.
I have no doubt that the London crews are the worst, and having read all the evidence of all the occasions when problems have occured, it is feasible that all could have been with London crews. No problems have been reported north of Newcastle (the limit to where they can go), which is interesting.
I very, very rarely experience them and as a result I experience few - if any - "desperate" guards on GNER. However, I will keep a close eye out for any evidence of London crews being desperate and will report back my findings.
Edit - just read the post by First ScotRail, and noted the crew change with interest. This further supports my theory!!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The only good thing about that is if they are trying to "ching" you they may forget about it if you dispute it and ask too many questions (see one of the examples above
by which time it's too late for them to realistically sue you, so if they ever try it on, you know what to do - just keep throwing it back at them, takes 'em ages to reply each time and they lose interest).
However I do believe that the chances are that you got London crews, especially given that you are likely to leave KGX in the morning and arrive back there in the evening.
I have no doubt that the London crews are the worst, and having read all the evidence of all the occasions when problems have occured, it is feasible that all could have been with London crews. No problems have been reported north of Newcastle (the limit to where they can go), which is interesting.
I very, very rarely experience them and as a result I experience few - if any - "desperate" guards on GNER. However, I will keep a close eye out for any evidence of London crews being desperate and will report back my findings.
Edit - just read the post by First ScotRail, and noted the crew change with interest. This further supports my theory!!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Yep, they are overworked.
The only good thing about that is if they are trying to "ching" you they may forget about it if you dispute it and ask too many questions (see one of the examples above
by which time it's too late for them to realistically sue you, so if they ever try it on, you know what to do - just keep throwing it back at them, takes 'em ages to reply each time and they lose interest).
Soon, the incorrect figures in the Avantix software, for "GNER TRAINS ONLY" London Kings Cross to Leeds (1 Adult) = £999.00 will become reality
They're not actually 'incorrect figures.' The ticket in question is actually a fare designed for children only - you'll find many others around under different guises such as "Kids for a Quid." Anyway, AIUI you can't have a ticket which is valid for children only so they bump up the adult price so it's obvious that's not the one to sell. If you say there's 1 child, the more reasonable fare of £20 is displayed.
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