Gunnislake branch-a free railway?

[alastair]

Whilst I was in Plymouth on a railtour today I decided to take a return trip to Gunnislake. Having bought my £5.20 CDR at the ticket office,I noticed the gateline was locked open,there may have been a good reason for this but despite plenty of staff around no effort was made to check tickets.

What really amazed me was that at no time during the entire return trip was any attempt made to sell or check tickets and the crew did not even walk through the train at all. Now this is a well used line and people were getting on and off at the various stations,none of which according to National Rail website have ticket machines.

This seems bizarre,FGW must be losing a small fortune if this is normal. Can anyone who knows the Plymouth area comment?

 

[ainsworth74]

Did the line once last year and was checked both ways. Well I say checked both ways on the return the guard didn't bother me but did come back through the train checking tickets. Also the barriers always seemed to be in use when I was there.

 

[Goatboy]

The barriers are often in use and ticket checks are random - you can't guarantee you won't get one. Plus the fares are very reasonable anyway so I doubt they have much of an issue with fare dodging.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

The onboard explanation could be something as simple as a defective Avantix meaning there is no option for the guard to sell tickets from the intermediate halts, and they may also be of the belief that the gates were in use at Plymouth ergo there's no incentive for them to double-check everybody; or indeed there may have been other matters more urgent to the guard that needed his attention. When I did the line last year, my outward (to Gunnislake) train was a wedged peak service so there was no check, however there was on the return I made to Plymouth on the same train (with same crew!) back. Overall, I do find FGW's revenue protection and guard's ticket checking to be very good down in the far West from my experience.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Caught three trains today, two Northern one TPE did not see a guard at any point during the day at all.

I think its more random than specific to a route.

 

[Goatboy]

Overall, I do find FGW's revenue protection and guard's ticket checking to be very good down in the far West from my experience.

To be honest, I find almost everything about FGW to be excellent. I almost never have a bad journey by FGW - the staff are friendly and accomodating, the fares are excellent value, the rolling stock is decent.

Infact the *only* problem I have with them - and its a biggy - is the use of 150's on long distance routes - but as this was forced on them its hard to blame FGW for it.

Otherwise I'm a very satisfied customer of FGW. Just a shame I usually find myself on XC instead

 

[CC 72100]

To be honest, I find almost everything about FGW to be excellent. I almost never have a bad journey by FGW - the staff are friendly and accomodating, the fares are excellent value, the rolling stock is decent.

Infact the *only* problem I have with them - and its a biggy - is the use of 150's on long distance routes - but as this was forced on them its hard to blame FGW for it.

Otherwise I'm a very satisfied customer of FGW. Just a shame I usually find myself on XC instead

Agree 100%! The blow of XC is softened somewhat by working out to get a HST diagram (who I actually think have a nicer Mark 3 interior), but other than that you're right.

Anyway, back on topic...

 

[Cliveblackpool]

Imo they should sell day tickets via Paypoint shops (local newsagents etc) on rural branch lines, with a savings of say 50p off the 'on board' fare.

 

[455driver]

And so another thread about guards not checking tickets/ why do we need them/ I went to <a station> and the barriers were open so obviously they are never in use etc etc thread starts! :roll:

Ever time I have been through Plymouth lately (6 times in the last month) the barriers were in use except when I was on the last train from Paddington.
The barriers could have been open because the staff member may have gone to look at the tea making device that had just arrived, been having their break or possibly gone to the toilet, they are after all human and sometimes sh#t happens, literally.

I am down there tomorrow and will interrogate the staff (and give the guilty staff member 40 lashes) to ensure this scandalous situation is not repeated.

 

[185143]

Caught three trains today, two Northern one TPE did not see a guard at any point during the day at all.

I think its more random than specific to a route.

Northern are C*** at ticket inspections, I know a northern guard (Not the forum member!) whonever does ticket inspections, I asked him why once, on an Off peak service, an the simple answer was 'Can't Be A***d'

 

[reb0118]

I am down there tomorrow and will interrogate the staff (and give the guilty staff member 40 lashes) to ensure this scandalous situation is not repeated.

Surely as it is Plymouth then keelhauling would be more appropriate?

 

[bb21]

Northern are C*** at ticket inspections, I know a northern guard (Not the forum member!) whonever does ticket inspections, I asked him why once, on an Off peak service, an the simple answer was 'Can't Be A***d'

On the contrary, I find Northern guards to be one of the most diligent at doing revenue duties.

 

[maniacmartin]

On the contrary, I find Northern guards to be one of the most diligent at doing revenue duties.

My experiences mirror bb21's. Northern guards are more diligent than most other TOCs

 

[alastair]

And so another thread about guards not checking tickets/ why do we need them/ I went to <a station> and the barriers were open so obviously they are never in use etc etc thread starts! :roll:

Ever time I have been through Plymouth lately (6 times in the last month) the barriers were in use except when I was on the last train from Paddington.
The barriers could have been open because the staff member may have gone to look at the tea making device that had just arrived, been having their break or possibly gone to the toilet, they are after all human and sometimes sh#t happens, literally.

I am down there tomorrow and will interrogate the staff (and give the guilty staff member 40 lashes) to ensure this scandalous situation is not repeated.

Calm down! There is no need to be so defensive.

I only mentioned that the barriers were open to emphasize my other point and I specifically said that there might have been a good reason for it.

I never suggested in any way that guards were not needed , but I was extremely surprised on a line where there are no ticket machines at stations not to see at all in either direction any sight of staff walking through the train let alone selling tickets. I am sure there may have been a good reason for this but an announcement would surely not have been a bad idea. The fact remains that a couple of dozen people who got on at Plymouth without tickets and/or boarded at other stations and got off before Plymouth on the return got a free ride (unless they had season tickets) and that can't be in anyones interest, least of all you Mr 455 as you are employed by the railway, these people pay your salary!

 

[D841 Roebuck]

My experiences mirror bb21's. Northern guards are more diligent than most other TOCs

There was a very competent chap on a Northern Service today.

I was most impressed with the way he realised that my ticket was the return half of a Saver, and so he wrote the date on it to ensure it couldn't be used again.

 

[Goatboy]

I was most impressed with the way he realised that my ticket was the return half of a Saver, and so he wrote the date on it to ensure it couldn't be used again.

Except of course it can be used again, for example if you had decided to break your journey at the next stop.

 

[district]

Northern are C*** at ticket inspections, I know a northern guard (Not the forum member!) whonever does ticket inspections, I asked him why once, on an Off peak service, an the simple answer was 'Can't Be A***d'

I think that in any line of work, not just on the railways, you will find people who will seek to do as little as possible to get paid. They are generally in the minority, thankfully.

 

[455driver]

Surely as it is Plymouth then keelhauling would be more appropriate?

Sadly not allowed any more as it polutes the (nice clean) sea!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Calm down! There is no need to be so defensive.

We do get a lot of these threads though!

The fact remains that a couple of dozen people who got on at Plymouth without tickets and/or boarded at other stations and got off before Plymouth on the return got a free ride (unless they had season tickets) and that can't be in anyones interest, least of all you Mr 455 as you are employed by the railway, these people pay your salary!

I agree, we have a couple of lazy guards at my place, the managers and other guards let them know exactly what they think of them!

There are always a couple of bad eggs in every walk of life.

 

[yorkie]

I was most impressed with the way he realised that my ticket was the return half of a Saver, and so he wrote the date on it to ensure it couldn't be used again.

I don't understand. The ticket is valid for a month, and the validity period is already on the ticket. Unless he wrote "used to destination" on the ticket or something? A date alone means nothing.

 

[34D]

On the contrary, I find Northern guards to be one of the most diligent at doing revenue duties.

I suspect it all depends which side of the pennines you were visiting. Manchester-land guards seem to do a grip after every stop, but Yorkshire ones go through asking "who needs a ticket". A generalisation.

 

[yorksrob]

I suspect it all depends which side of the pennines you were visiting. Manchester-land guards seem to do a grip after every stop, but Yorkshire ones go through asking "who needs a ticket". A generalisation.

Only on morning commutes I find. On all other occasions the Yorkshire guards seem quite reliable with their grips.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

I don't understand. The ticket is valid for a month, and the validity period is already on the ticket. Unless he wrote "used to destination" on the ticket or something? A date alone means nothing.

The ticket in question had already been "gripped" between Newcastle and York, using a proper stamping machine.

The date was written neatly below this.

As the mark was distinctive, rather than a scrawled biro circle, I can see no problem if I had decided to break my journey that day. I suppose there could have been a problem if I broke my journey overnight, but this is unlikely on a 40 mile journey...

 

[Cliveblackpool]

Can't be A****
Sounds more like a bit a humour!
Always found Northern Guards helpful & efficient.
Not an easy job especially on a pay train, taking a card payment, and then politely asking passengers to wait a couple moments for him to operate the doors!!

 

[yorkie]

The ticket in question had already been "gripped" between Newcastle and York, using a proper stamping machine.

The date was written neatly below this.

As the mark was distinctive, rather than a scrawled biro circle, I can see no problem if I had decided to break my journey that day. I suppose there could have been a problem if I broke my journey overnight, but this is unlikely on a 40 mile journey...

You would have been perfectly entitled to break your journey overnight at somewhere like Leeds. The markings on the ticket would not in any way have reduced this entitlement. Newcastle to Rochdale is over 140 miles so an overnight break of journey is not particularly unlikely, and permitted regardless of likelihood.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

Putting the date on does not affect the validity it just stops a minority abusing the system - punch the dailys and date the opens simples.

 

[Goatboy]

Putting the date on does not affect the validity it just stops a minority abusing the system - punch the dailys and date the opens simples.

How does it stop them? What does the date even mean?

 

[ANorthernGuard]

How does it stop them? What does the date even mean?

It just puts that doubt in their mind, normal honest passengers (tend) to know the rules, the average fare dodger does not, its kidology which works!

 

[IanXC]

I suspect it all depends which side of the pennines you were visiting. Manchester-land guards seem to do a grip after every stop, but Yorkshire ones go through asking "who needs a ticket". A generalisation.

I've only ever seen that when on a service heading to Leeds or Bradford Interchange (ie barriered stations).

 

[Starmill]

On the contrary, I find Northern guards to be one of the most diligent at doing revenue duties.

My experiences mirror bb21's. Northern guards are more diligent than most other TOCs

Whoa. Are we talking about the same company here?

Anecdotal, but still: a couple of Sundays back I went from Mauldeth Road to Heald Green, sat right by the rear cab. Did I attain a ticket for my journey? No.

 

[455driver]

Whoa. Are we talking about the same company here?

Anecdotal, but still: a couple of Sundays back I went from Mauldeth Road to Heald Green, sat right by the rear cab. Did I attain a ticket for my journey? No.

So one journey then!

yep that is indisputable proof that all Northern guards are lazy! :roll: