Passengers Missing Their Stops

[PR1Berske]

The point I'm trying to make is that people are expected to remain in their seats until buses stop and, since, believe it or not, most people are unfamiliar with train travel, an increasing problem may be that they will forget they have to be by the door when the train stops.

I think it's unfair to expect an elderly couple to be up and at them before the train has pulled into the station.

I do agree with you to a point - people should be at the doors as early as possible....But if that's not possible then station staff should be accommodating.

I'm not trying to be anti-industry here, I have a great sympathy with your concerns.

 

[Blindtraveler]

had a 40 min delay on the HML with this problem - the door failed to open at dunkeld and the guard accused the 4 teenagers of trying it on to which the girls cried and the guy lost his temper resulting in the local plods being called at Blairatholl. On arival at said station the guard, also female, not that it matters instructed the police to board the set via the door near the disabled area which was attempted, but thwarted by, yes, a non functioning door!

have overshot myself before due to not being able to see where I was and there being no announcements onboard a very quiet service calling at an unstaffed station. On another occasion, platform staff were due to assist me but they failed to show and again no punters to ask or announcements. I agree though, some people are daft!

 

[Flamingo]

On late trains from London, on approach to Reading I always announce "Please waken anybody sleeping near you, they probably want to get off here." It usually gets a laugh, but the number of carry-on's I have has dropped dramatically.

 

[Lampshade]

Completely agree, it happens almost every night on late turns. Last night I had several 'sleepers' over carried from Staines to Windsor with no train back until 6am this morning, and I bet it will happen tonight when I finish at 01:45-but at least in London we have night buses!

I've walked it in 90 minutes, just tell them to get some exercise

 

[Blindtraveler]

Flamingo, come work for scotrail!

 

[Flamingo]

Too far to commute!

 

[Blindtraveler]

just realised 2nd post in this topic was from a Scotrail guard. Carter please take note mate, and tell all your conducter pals!

 

[PTF62]

What about those who jump on a train then moan it didn't stop at their station ie jump on a York to Kings Cross service which after Grantham has Stevenage as the first stop then state it didn't stop at Peterborough?

You would not believe (or you probably would), the number of people who jump onto one of the evening 'fast' FCC services to Peterborough, and don't bother checking where it stops.

The one I felt sorry for the other night was on one of the late evening services which was first stop Biggleswade, and the lady wanted Finsbury Park...

 

[Wyvern]

I think it's unfair to expect an elderly couple to be up and at them before the train has pulled into the station.

It isnt only old people I'm talking about. If even young people are expected to stay in their seats till the bus stops, they may expect the same to be true in a train.

As I said it may come as a shock to forum members but the majority of people are not used to travelling by train.

 

[Minilad]

It isnt only old people I'm talking about. If even young people are expected to stay in their seats till the bus stops, they may expect the same to be true in a train.

As I said it may come as a shock to forum members but the majority of people are not used to travelling by train.

Maybe not. But the majority of people who use trains are used to travelling by train. If you see what I mean.

 

[O L Leigh]

Why the parallels between bus travel and rail travel? They are completely different, no matter what the expectations of those using them. Besides, even those who remain in their seats are ready to get out the moment the train stops because they know where they are and which stop they want. It's those dillatory ones who are away with the fairies, asleep or so caught up in everything else that's happening to them that they fail to realise and react that get over-carried. In any case, what would you expect we can realistically do about it? We can't see inside the train, just outside. If the doors appear to be clear then I will close them ready to depart. I can't see if someone is too slow, can't work an open door or are trying the doors on the wrong side (yes, it happens), so they're coming with me.

Besides, this isn't what the OP is talking about. It's the ones who get over-carried due to their own fault and then make up excuses and accusations to cover for their own inattention that annoys rail staff.

O L Leigh

 

[DaveNewcastle]

. . .
It's those dillatory ones who are away with the fairies, asleep or so caught up in everything else that's happening to them that they fail to realise and react that get over-carried.
. . . . .

Quite true!
I often see fellow passengers who are locked into an electronic world of their own suddenly look up after their train has been stopped for a few moments, look around them to remind themselves where they are, and then (apparently) realising that they are on a train which is stationary, they look out the window to see if they might be in a station. Perhaps even a station that is significant!

I seem to see this behavious quite often - though I can't recall seeing many of these people 'living in a private world' actually waking up while the train is standing at their destination. A few, but not many.
(Probably the same few who walk across roads while listening to their music and/or reading/sending messages on their phone without looking for traffic. Maybe that's another topic, but its the same self-centred relationship with their world).

 

[scotsman]

We're not all quite as OCD as I am for checking routes, stops, and all the rest of it.

I really don't see where OCD comes into this at all

 

[xtradj]

i can understand people being annoyed because you do have clear warnings. also if you travel by train you should KNOW when and where your stop is as so to get off

however ive travelled on trains that have not stopped at stations because they were request stops, even though the inspector has seen my ticket stating where i wish to alight from, yet it just ploughs through

 

[scotsman]

Once had a passenger board our tour by accident - why she didn't listen to "Do not board this train" announcements, I don't know...

She came wandering through, asking if this was the train to London. I sat her down in the crew compartment, checked her ticket (she actually wanted Durham - XC only but she had been waiting on the 0853 to KGX) and sorted out her connections to there from Hexham.

I came back to get her as we neared Hexham, only to have to prod her to get her attention - she was completely oblivious with her iPod on!

 

[stut]

The one I felt sorry for the other night was on one of the late evening services which was first stop Biggleswade, and the lady wanted Finsbury Park...

That happens on a regular basis on the 1840 and subsequent non-stops. I think there are still plenty who believe that all FCC trains stop at Finsbury Park apart from the "Cambridge Cruiser".

Having said that, I've made exactly the same mistake in the past. In a massive rush, trying to get from Bank to Waterloo in the evening peak, but the Tube was down. Wandered to Cannon Street, to hop on a train to London Bridge, saw one about to leave, and leapt on board.

I was a little embarrassed when I arrived at Sevenoaks...

(Are there still a few that do that?)

 

[PR1Berske]

It isnt only old people I'm talking about. If even young people are expected to stay in their seats till the bus stops, they may expect the same to be true in a train.

As I said it may come as a shock to forum members but the majority of people are not used to travelling by train.

But that implies that you DO feel negatively towards elderly passengers who are slower to alight than younger members ?

 

[Pumbaa]

Why couldn't the steward have contacted the TM asking him not to give the 'right away' until the passengers at that door had moved to a working door and got off the train?

Other than running up the train, not much the hosts can do. Even though they're issued with keys that will open the local panel, they can't use the PA sets within them or anything else. It's either leg it to the kitchen or try to find the TM. Either way - too late.

It should be avoidable though on Pendos - the TMS flags up any non-functioning doors and the TM can then put the do not use stickers in the window. But I don't know how instantaneous the fault reporting is nor how quickly the driver will tell the TM.

 

[moonrakerz]

But that implies that you DO feel negatively towards elderly passengers who are slower to alight than younger members ?

Just HOW do you manage to draw THAT conclusion ???

 

[2Dogbox]

Its not pleasant this when it happens. When we work trains with frequent stops there is only so much station dwell time that a train has. If everyone has got off/on and after waiting a bit for stragglers its time to close the doors, although an arm or suitcase can often appear at the last minute.

On 153s and 156s its easy to look down the train after platform duties have been done to make sure no-one is trying to get off still. But on the dreaded 158s its impossible to see much, and I imagine its far worse for those working longer trains.

A few years ago a man got very aggressive with me for as he said I had not opened the doors and he would make sure I lost my job as he wroked for the Department for Transport. It shook me up a bit as he'd really gone off on one. I had to do some tickets after the next stop and a lady stopped me as I was going through and said that the man had been pushing the open buttons for thr doors on the trackside of the train.

 

[West Coast]

Witnessed a rather unfortunate instance similar to this recently, when on the 1843 Euston - Crewe. I always try to avoid this train because its absolutely rammed to MKC, although I managed to get a seat in the quiet coach for once. Almost completely empty after MKC, as always, but just after we departed New Street (after 15 minute wait), a young lad popped up from the seat in front, I had no idea he was there. Only looked about 15 but was in a full suit and had a laptop, and he started crying because he'd fell asleep, wanted to get off and go home at MK! He'd never even been on a train before so was obviously hugely disorientated and upset. TM came and told him to get off at Wolverhampton, and speak to staff in the station who'd give him a free ticket back. But I did feel sorry for him - young lad in an expensive looking suit, with a laptop, crying, in Wolverhampton station at night, bless him!

 

[lookingforit35]

Having said that, I've made exactly the same mistake in the past. In a massive rush, trying to get from Bank to Waterloo in the evening peak, but the Tube was down. Wandered to Cannon Street, to hop on a train to London Bridge, saw one about to leave, and leapt on board.

I was a little embarrassed when I arrived at Sevenoaks...

(Are there still a few that do that?)

Sure are- an oldish (60s?) couple got caught out just last week on my evening service which they picked up at Waterloo East hoping for London Bridge. They too "enjoyed" the journey to Sevenoaks. My well of sympathy ran just a little dry though when they kept complaining loudly to all and sundry even though it was apparent nobody really wanted a chat after a long days work! Yes, I felt sorry but 30 minutes running commentary of how awful it was for them was perhaps a little on the lengthy side. Oddly enough the conductor didnt get an ear bashing from them, just fellow passengers - must have been our fault!

I dont think it happens from Cannon Street any more though as most if not all trains seem to stop at London Bridge nowadays.

 

[SteveP29]

Being honest, I don't think there's any room for naivety when travelling on a train, whether you've travelled 100 times or if it's your first.
These days a huge number of train bookings are made via the internet. The booking search clearly tells you when you are timetabled to arrive at your destination.
I would hazard a guess at saying that most people book their tickets more with a idea of when they want to arrive at their destination, rather than when they leave, so again, no excuse.

Failing that, if you don't know when you're due to arrive, you can always ask at the information desk at the station or even the guard as he/ she checks your ticket.

Accepted that sometimes you fall asleep and miss your stop, but as in most situations/ jobs/ industries, ignorance is no excuse.

 

[HLW]

Accepted that sometimes you fall asleep and miss your stop

Almost everyone today carries a mobile phone, which can function as an alarm clock. You'd know if you were tired enough to fall asleep, so would have time to set an alarm. So that's no excuse really either.

Some people are just selfish imo. They really do not care if they delay the train, and everyone else on the train.

 

[Urban Gateline]

Before I started at SWT, I was travelling pax on one of their services, going via Wimbledon.
The train stopped at Wimbledon but unfortunately the doors of the coach I was in wouldn't open, cue many angry passengers who wanted to get off there, swearing as the hustle alarm goes and the train departs!
I assumed that the doors in the coach were faulty, however they did work fine further along the line at other stops, so I am not sure what happened!

I bet it was frustrating for those passengers to have to get off a stop later at Raynes Park and then double back to Wimbledon, would have taken them all of 10 minutes I bet!

 

[martinsh]

Well, I never get up from my seat until the train arrives at the platform , and I've never had any problems with being left behind. [ I live in Crewe which means 99% of the time the train will stop outside ]

 

[Michael.Y]

Why couldn't the steward have contacted the TM asking him not to give the 'right away' until the passengers at that door had moved to a working door and got off the train?

I've had that on ATW -- I'm sat cashing up as we roll into Cwmbran in a central vestibule on a 175, when four burly fellahs come running down the aisle (from the other end of the carriage) and get to the door just as they close and we move off. One proceeds to then have a go at me asking why they got "locked on the train" - I say there's nothing I can do about it, short of pulling the emergency cord/alarm.

As it happens, they had a 10 minute ride to Newport, and got straight back on a train going northbound, I had a little word with the guard of that train as I went past with my trolley, and they weren't charged for the return trip.

Trouble is, people see train staff and assume they are all-knowing, all-seeing, all-doing. As a steward, I have no control over the running, dispatching or other necessary duties of actually getting the train from A to B. I'm just there to flog tea and coffee, let people know what time we're due in to stations if they ask, and occasionally assist disabled customers and/or mothers with buggies and/or get luggage on and off. That's it.

Funniest thing is when I'm in the aisle, serving people, we come to an unscheduled halt in the middle of nowhere. You always get some bright spark asking "Why have we stopped?" as if I'm in psychic sync with the driver and can see more walking backwards serving tea than they can sitting down looking out of the window. :roll:

 

[krisk]

Where is the element of personal responsibilty, its down to the person travelling to ensure they alight at the correct stop, to over ride and expect a free lift back..hmm

I hate compensation culture, the notion that its always someone elses fault
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Witnessed a rather unfortunate instance similar to this recently, when on the 1843 Euston - Crewe. I always try to avoid this train because its absolutely rammed to MKC, although I managed to get a seat in the quiet coach for once. Almost completely empty after MKC, as always, but just after we departed New Street (after 15 minute wait), a young lad popped up from the seat in front, I had no idea he was there. Only looked about 15 but was in a full suit and had a laptop, and he started crying because he'd fell asleep, wanted to get off and go home at MK! He'd never even been on a train before so was obviously hugely disorientated and upset. TM came and told him to get off at Wolverhampton, and speak to staff in the station who'd give him a free ticket back. But I did feel sorry for him - young lad in an expensive looking suit, with a laptop, crying, in Wolverhampton station at night, bless him!

Why should he get a free ride home and not be charged?

If I fall asleep on the bus and wake up in oldham, do I get a free ride home?

 

[EM2]

Almost everyone today carries a mobile phone, which can function as an alarm clock. You'd know if you were tired enough to fall asleep, so would have time to set an alarm. So that's no excuse really either.

And you've never slept through an alarm?

 

[krisk]

Maybe, BUT I would accept responsibility and NOT LIE and say that the train doors didn't open or that there was no PA announcement etc and half the lies that people choose to tell.