Station staff giving false information

[paulgreen32]

Hello, whilst reading a thread a few days ago some body posted what looked like a section of the NRoc regarding being charged for boarding a train after being put on there by staff at Euston. It stated that a penalty fare could not be charged if this happened,my questions are how does this work with adanced tickets or toc specific tickets ?? Also I've been a guard for over two years now so know just about enough to get into lots of trouble with ticket restrictions but my philosophy is if I'm not 100% sure lets it go, but I must hear it at least every other train "I was told I could use this train" and to be fair I've seen station staff say this, does this apply and how to other guards police this .

Paul
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
^ just did a bit of digging it was an extract from the IRcas penalty fare guide

 

[Aeion]

I politely point out that the only person who can authorise travel with in incorrect ticket is myself or a ticket that has been stamped/endorsed previously or at the station. I apologise that wrong information has been given but unfortunately They will need to purchase a correct ticket, and then complain to which ever company is involved in giving out incorrect advice. I'm sure there are people who it happens to legitimately but a lot of the time people are taking the chance. I do know BHM network rail staff are a knightmare for telling people to just jump on with all sorts of tickets "I'm sorry your travelling 4 hours to early" " the guy on blue said I could" really frustrates me

 

[dlj83]

This happens frequently at London Bridge. The most recent encounter was when the Oyster readers wasn't working and told to say that at the destination of course at the destination nobody was told..... When asked to provide a permission to travel endorsement I was told "I ain't signing anything "

I guess one way to save yourself any trouble would be to use a voice recorder so it can be verified what advice you have been given.

 

[paulgreen32]

Thanks for the replies tbf Watford and new street are the main stations where most customers say They were told to just jump on. My worst is at bhm when lm cancelled the Liverpool and they jump on the xx.15 to Crewe and I'm like err lm only "I wouldn't have used this train if I had of knew " .

Tbf it's good to hear how other guards do things to try maintain a general concensious .

Paul

 

[CC 72100]

When I've been out on platforms, if things are long-distance or on a flow where there is a decent chance of an Advance ticket being used, I do ask to see the ticket so that I can be sure of giving correct information, especially whenever anything to do with 'reservation' or 'booked train' comes up.

I've also had the situation the other way round - desperately fretting about customers' connections and seeing if earlier travel can be arranged, just about to ring their TOC's control only for them to whack out an Anytime ticket. Lesson learnt!

 

[yorkie]

Hello, whilst reading a thread a few days ago some body posted what looked like a section of the NRoc regarding being charged for boarding a train after being put on there by staff at Euston. It stated that a penalty fare could not be charged if this happened,my questions are how does this work with adanced tickets or toc specific tickets ??

For people unfamiliar with what you're referring to, a passenger for a short distance journey was put on a train that went well beyond their destination, and the passenger had to do a massive double-back.

To answer the specific question of "how does this work with adanced tickets", I guess you are asking about a passenger being on the wrong train rather than going beyond their destination.

A Penalty Fare can never be issued for travelling on the wrong train on an Advance ticket, nor can a full-fare ticket be charged. Providing the ticket is in date and the correct company is used, then the worst that can happen is the sale of the cheapest available/appropriate fare (discounted if applicable).

If the passenger is travelling early then you could charge them, though if staff have advised that any train can be caught it could become problematical.

If the passenger is travelling late, you can only charge them if they've not been delayed earlier in their journey (regardless of the number of tickets held, with the caveat that the itinerary must adhere to minimum interchange times).