Lost Revenue on FGW

[Squaddie]

I travelled from London to Cardiff with FGW on Saturday. Weekend First was pretty busy on leaving London, and got busier as the train progressed.

The train manager inspected tickets just after leaving London, collecting Weekend First supplements from those that did not have First Class tickets, but did not inspect tickets again until the train was, literally, approaching Cardiff, almost 3 hours later (yes, another weekend diversion).

Almost everyone who had boarded the train at Reading, Swindon, Didcot and Gloucester was due to pay a supplement, but the train manager had not even brought his ticket machine with him. He simply told people he'd be back "in a few minutes" to collect the supplements. But he didn't come back, the train arrived in Cardiff and everyone got off without paying a penny extra. In our carriage alone, FGW must have lost around £150 revenue.

So... what was the train manager doing for that 3-hour journey if he was not checking tickets and collecting fares? Why did he leave it until 5 minutes before arrival in Cardiff to start checking? Why didn't he have his ticket machine with him? And why did he make no effort to come back to collect fares that he knew were due?

Shocking lack of responsibility.

 

[SWT Driver]

Why worry?
Is it your money?

 

[HSTfan!!!]

thing is, as far as I know, as long as you take some revenue, as far as I know there is nothing to stop you not bothering for the rest of the trip, strange though because, first class supplements are a good money spinner, I would imagine, from barriered stations.

 

[A60K]

Why worry?
Is it your money?

On the one hand I would be concerned that failing to collect revenue like this would lead to everyone paying higher prices... but then the cynic in me thinks that it would make no difference to the price a regular passenger pays, and failing to collect just means a bit less for First's shareholders

 

[dk1]

On NXEA its the only bit worth bothering about Sat/Sun for the weekend first commision. Everyone else in standard is too honest or well trained these days.

 

[ChrisTheRef]

Why worry?
Is it your money?

Because if I'd joined at Paddington and paid £15, I'd want someone who joined at Reading to have to do the same

 

[johnb]

Why worry?
Is it your money?

Yes: FGW is receiving cap-and-collar support from the Treasury on revenue shortfalls, so it's all of our money.

 

[gwr2006]

I travelled from London to Cardiff with FGW on Saturday. Weekend First was pretty busy on leaving London, and got busier as the train progressed.

The train manager inspected tickets just after leaving London, collecting Weekend First supplements from those that did not have First Class tickets, but did not inspect tickets again until the train was, literally, approaching Cardiff, almost 3 hours later (yes, another weekend diversion).

Almost everyone who had boarded the train at Reading, Swindon, Didcot and Gloucester was due to pay a supplement, but the train manager had not even brought his ticket machine with him. He simply told people he'd be back "in a few minutes" to collect the supplements. But he didn't come back, the train arrived in Cardiff and everyone got off without paying a penny extra. In our carriage alone, FGW must have lost around £150 revenue.

So... what was the train manager doing for that 3-hour journey if he was not checking tickets and collecting fares? Why did he leave it until 5 minutes before arrival in Cardiff to start checking? Why didn't he have his ticket machine with him? And why did he make no effort to come back to collect fares that he knew were due?

Shocking lack of responsibility.

What train were you travelling on? What departure time from PAD?

 

[devon_metro]

Safety first, revenue last.

 

[Squaddie]

What train were you travelling on? What departure time from PAD?

I don't want to get the individual into trouble, so I'd rather not be specific.

Hopefully, someone from FGW will read this thread and have a word with all their train managers.

 

[royaloak]

So thats not getting them in trouble!

 

[merlodlliw]

I don't want to get the individual into trouble, so I'd rather not be specific.

Then why bother with the thread in the first place,with all due respect to your observation.All industries have good,bad & betty types.

 

[flymo]

What train were you travelling on? What departure time from PAD?

Why ask for specifics? Are you a manager for FGW and want to track this person down?

 

[SWT Driver]

He won't put the exact details of the service he was travelling on because (s)he knows that by doing so makes them a GRASS!

 

[Drsatan]

This appears to be a case of a TM not doing his job properly...

Some TMs are fairly active while some aren't. Romsey - Southampton Central is supposed to take 11 minutes non-stop, and between the two stations the TM is supposed to come round and check tickets. However, not all TMs do this, even though 11 minutes is surely enough time to check everyone's tickets on a 3-car 158.

If I was on a long-distance service, I'd want the TM to check my ticket (especially if I was getting off at a station with no barriers) otherwise I'd resent the fact that I'd paid when I could have quite possibly travelled for free...

 

[gwr2006]

Why ask for specifics? Are you a manager for FGW and want to track this person down?

Well why bother to have a rant on here. If Squaddie was that worried people were getting away with not paying he should be reporting it to FGW for them to take action.

 

[MCR247]

Why worry?
Is it your money?

No, but I'd be pretty annoyed if I paid, but no-one else did. Thats what annoys me about fare dodging

 

[SWT Driver]

As the saying goes...

That's the way the cookie crumbles.

 

[Deerfold]

(NX)EC seem to have got quite lax - as are Northern from Leeds.

Last week I got from London Kings X - Steeton & Silsden without taking my ticket out of my pocket. It happens often enough for me not to be surprised. A lot of Northern staff seem to assume that if you're on the train at Leeds the you must have come through the barriers - I have my ticket checked on fewer than half my journeys (of half an hour). Oddly on EC I'm usually checked going South and not about a third of the time coming North.

 

[devon_metro]

No, but I'd be pretty annoyed if I paid, but no-one else did. Thats what annoys me about fare dodging

It isn't fare dodging.

Of and just to re-iterate my point, Revenue falls LAST in a Train Managers duty. Its all very well assuming that they were sat in the buffet doing naf all, however its very possible this was not the case.

 

[MCR247]

It isn't fare dodging.

Of and just to re-iterate my point, Revenue falls LAST in a Train Managers duty. Its all very well assuming that they were sat in the buffet doing naf all, however its very possible this was not the case.

Yeah I know, I phrased it wrong, I meant thats why I get annoyed by fare dodging on a simalar note

 

[yorkie]

why do some people think weekend first upgrades take priority over all the other things guards must do? if you accept that isn't a high priority then why say it shows a lack of responsibility?

as for leeds - it has barriers which have that effect (see this excellent post by kvwr45 - a TPE guard - on the subject )

 

[Squaddie]

Then why bother with the thread in the first place,with all due respect to your observation. All industries have good,bad & betty types.

Because it is just that - an observation.

If train managers on FGW don't have the time to collect Weekend First fares then perhaps they should employ someone to do so. The loss in revenue was significant.

 

[yorksrob]

(NX)EC seem to have got quite lax - as are Northern from Leeds.

Last week I got from London Kings X - Steeton & Silsden without taking my ticket out of my pocket. It happens often enough for me not to be surprised. A lot of Northern staff seem to assume that if you're on the train at Leeds the you must have come through the barriers - I have my ticket checked on fewer than half my journeys (of half an hour). Oddly on EC I'm usually checked going South and not about a third of the time coming North.

Northern must consider those of us from the five towns as a bit shifty because we're checked every time.

 

[royaloak]

If train managers on FGW don't have the time to collect Weekend First fares then perhaps they should employ someone to do so. The loss in revenue was significant.

Good idea, employ somebody for 16 hours a week that MIGHT be needed to collect the odd fare!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Northern must consider those of us from the five towns as a bit shifty because we're checked every time.

After living in South Elmsall for a good number of years, they do have a point

 

[SWT Driver]

Meeeeow! Pffft!

 

[royaloak]

Meeeeow! Pffft!

Go do some bloody work!

kiss kiss

 

[SWT Driver]

I've done my stint on the mainline today thank you.

Blasted nippers...

 

[royaloak]

Not my fault I have all this leave to use up , see you next year

 

[HH]

I love it. Someone plays the "safety" card and everyone kowtows. List all the safety duties the TM could have been carrying out during those 3 hours.

I've travelled on enough FGW services over enough years to know that there's a 99.9% chance he was sat next to the buffet with other members of staff enjoying a drink and a natter.