RPSI/guard/authorised collector question

[D2022]

The subject seems a bit of a minefield to me and I simply want to know who is who when it comes to penatly fares and people authorised to prosecute/penalty fare/take details etc...

I often see guards threatening to penalt fare and it was my understanding that they aren't allowed and that a RPI/RPO or whatever they are was the person to do this.

A wiki article would do...if such exists.

 

[maniacmartin]

You might want to have a read of SRA Penalty Fares Policy
Section 4.25 onwards (amongst others) concerns who can be an authorised collector.

Section 10 on page 50 also details 3 example definitions a TOC can use. It appears to be down to the TOC when they apply for permission to start a PF scheme whether they will choose to train guards etc to be authorised collectors, or have dedicated staff for this purpose.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
SRA Penalty Fares Rules contains a summary that's easier to digest - see section 5.

5.3 A person will only be an authorised collector for any penalty
fares train if he or she has been individually authorised by, or
on behalf of, the operator of that train to collect penalty fares
in line with an approved penalty fares scheme and this
authorisation is still valid.

5.4 Each authorised collector must carry, and produce if asked,
identification which proves that he or she is authorised to
collect penalty fares on behalf of a specific operator or
operators. This identification must be in line with a code of
practice approved by the SRA for the purposes of this rule.
Authorised collectors must allow passengers to make a note of
the relevant details of their identification and authority.

 

[D2022]

You might want to have a read of SRA Penalty Fares Policy
Section 4.25 onwards (amongst others) concerns who can be an authorised collector.

Section 10 on page 50 also details 3 example definitions a TOC can use. It appears to be down to the TOC when they apply for permission to start a PF scheme whether they will choose to train guards etc to be authorised collectors, or have dedicated staff for this purpose.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
SRA Penalty Fares Rules contains a summary that's easier to digest - see section 5.

Ah beautiful, there is a local guard, Travis, in particular who is a pain the rear when it comes to penalty fares, he carries no ID and rarely carries his name badge. If you argue or even look at him wrong he will try to pentalty fare you.

I've argued with him a few times and been told to 'set the f**** down and shut up' amongst the abuse he gave my girlfriend for having a wrong ticket due to her so say being blonde.

 

[RJ]

The subject seems a bit of a minefield to me and I simply want to know who is who when it comes to penatly fares and people authorised to prosecute/penalty fare/take details etc...

I often see guards threatening to penalt fare and it was my understanding that they aren't allowed and that a RPI/RPO or whatever they are was the person to do this.

A wiki article would do...if such exists.

It varies from TOC to TOC. I was a ticket office clerk (under some silly fancy job title) and I was authorised to collect Penalty Fares on board trains and at stations for multiple TOCs.

A RPO/RPI/RPA does different things according to what it is the company wants them to do. This is a privatised industry. Each TOC does it's own thing so there is no set guide as to what responsibilities come under a particular job title. Had I moved on to become a guard, I would have retained my Authorised Collector badge. Therefore it's not advisable to assume you know what a member of staff has been trained and authorised to do in terms of revenve protection just because of their job title. The best thing to do is ask them.

If you need to know what they're allowed to do so you can play the system, there are a couple of things you need to remember. You provide your name and address if asked by an authorised person. You also need to be 100% certain of what you're doing, which means you shouldn't have to rely on others to spoon feed you with information - everything you need to know will be documented online. Bear in mind that railway staff have to abide by the laws which are freely available for anyone to read.

 

[Monty]

I don't think the RPSI are authorised collectors however.