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I boarded a train at Maidstone East today. When I approached the platform, there was a man in a high vis jacket asking me for my ticket. Underneath the high vis jacket the man was wearing Tesco uniform.
Is this a new deal Southeastern have struck up to check tickets?
I would hope an enthusiast would have known more than this guy, he was very reluctant to let me onto the platform with a Maidstone-Ramsgate advance for the next train
I can't speak for Southeastern, but Chiltern have started placing "Travel Volunteers" at gatelines. They wear a purple high-vis over normal clothes and tap everyone through. Might be something similar to this arrangement?
Why would rail enthusiasts conduct ticket inspections? I can understand them walking up to people and asking them what ticket they have purchased etc, where they come from and where they are going etc, but to actually check tickets? I don't know why an enthusiast would do that.
Why would rail enthusiasts conduct ticket inspections? I can understand them walking up to people and asking them what ticket they have purchased etc, where they come from and where they are going etc, but to actually check tickets? I don't know why an enthusiast would do that.
There are enthusiasts who play at being staff, there used to be one who "marshalled" the bus station in central Milton Keynes, but hasn't been about for a long time.
However I think it's more likely it's a cheap security guard (as TOCs like to use these for ticket checks) who's just put the wrong uniform on, either by mistake or because he's just gone straight from one job to the other.
Anything suspicious, take a discreet photograph and notify the operator or police. Reminiscent of the fake inspector at one company pocketing peoples 'fines'.
But, that said, some years ago, one of the best plain clothes fancy dress outfits one of our inspectors wore was infact (bits of) a certain hamburger chain's uniform - but there will always be a proper, clear train company photo ID on show.
Although you could just ask that person for their ID. By all means report it to Southeastern but if they are genuine, which a question can esrablish, why waste police time with it?
Although you could just ask that person for their ID. By all means report it to Southeastern but if they are genuine, which a question can esrablish, why waste police time with it?
True, but I'd expect someone in plain clothes to have ID visible when checking tickets as alluded to by @185 above.
Someone may be fearful of confrontation and not feel comfortable asking for, or even know that they should have, valid railway ID on their person. We're constantly bombarded with announcements to report anything suspicious to 61016, particularly if you wish to do so discreetly.
FWIW, I've never knowingly seen plain clothes RPIs on National Rail. Ever. I've definitely come across a few on London Underground though.
True, but I'd expect someone in plain clothes to have ID visible when checking tickets as alluded to by @185 above.
Someone may be fearful of confrontation and not feel comfortable asking for, or even know that they should have, valid railway ID on their person. We're constantly bombarded with announcements to report anything suspicious to 61016, particularly if you wish to do so discreetly.
If you are concerned, why would you hand over your ticket for inspection? The idea that wearing a random hi-vis jacket conveys authority in itself is what allows people to get away with criminal activity.
Anyone who claims to have some sort of authority over someone else (Like a ticket checker) but doesn't seem to be an employee with such authority (uniform off, ID off etc etc) should be reported because it is inherently suspicious that someone would do such a thing . For example if a ticket inspector got on in London with a tesco uniform , I would be suspicious that they wrte trying to steal my contactless card.
Anyone who claims to have some sort of authority over someone else (Like a ticket checker) but doesn't seem to be an employee with such authority (uniform off, ID off etc etc) should be reported because it is inherently suspicious that someone would do such a thing . For example if a ticket inspector got on in London with a tesco uniform , I would be suspicious that they wrte trying to steal my contactless card.
There are enthusiasts who play at being staff, there used to be one who "marshalled" the bus station in central Milton Keynes, but hasn't been about for a long time.
Oddly enough I've seen one these.
The guy clearly had issues, he was telling bus drivers what to do and threatened to contact control at times. He would inspect buses and write down the bus number and registration number.
One driver said 'Not him again!' and in fact played along with him for a bit before telling him to buzz off.
It's not in mine, but I do need written permission for it. Only reason I ever even noticed was that it was quite widely worded, and because volunteering is a fairly big part of my life I wanted it in writing that that was OK before I agreed to take the job.
In minimum wage jobs, though, whether formally allowed or not, it's common practice.
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It's not hard to end up in that position inadvertently though not checking tickets, obviously*. I've been mistaken for staff on a number of occasions, though I usually do answer queries prefixed with "I'm not staff but..." because most of the time I can answer them and don't want to send people on a wild goose chase.
Most recent time was on a late evening Chiltern, when I was wearing a blue shirt, formal trousers/shoes and a blue soft shell without any branding on it, I could understand that confusion, as it's pretty much Chiltern's colours even though nothing on me mentioned them. I recall having a similar thing ages ago when I was stood next to my sister by a Virgin Mk3 set at Preston chatting, me in a similar outfit to the Chiltern occasion, her in a red puffa jacket, we must have looked for all the world like Virgin and First North Western staff, and got (and answered) a number of queries.
* Other than if someone asks me if this is the train to X and there could be an operator specific ticket issue I normally ask if they'll show me their ticket so I can give accurate advice.
It's not in mine, but I do need written permission for it. Only reason I ever even noticed was that it was quite widely worded, and because volunteering is a fairly big part of my life I wanted it in writing that that was OK before I agreed to take the job.
In minimum wage jobs, though, whether formally allowed or not, it's common practice.
In zero hour contract jobs , your employer can't legally prevent you from moonlighting. With full time jobs that have additional restrictions on working hours (Such as lorry, or bus driver and on board crew ) Moonlighting can be illegal if undeclared and there are no accurate working hours kept of your second job.
Not in a bedroom, from where you don't need too much kit and knowledge to help yourself to a lot of people's money. Obviously you need more kit and knowledge about it if you don't want to get caught.
It's not hard to end up in that position inadvertently though not checking tickets, obviously*. I've been mistaken for staff on a number of occasions, though I usually do answer queries prefixed with "I'm not staff but..." because most of the time I can answer them and don't want to send people on a wild goose chase.
* Other than if someone asks me if this is the train to X and there could be an operator specific ticket issue I normally ask if they'll show me their ticket so I can give accurate advice.
It's a bit different if somebody comes up to you asking for information though. If I was challenged by an individual in an ordinary high-vis and no other clear rail uniform I'd not be showing a rail ticket to them without further confirmation.
Why would rail enthusiasts conduct ticket inspections? I can understand them walking up to people and asking them what ticket they have purchased etc, where they come from and where they are going etc, but to actually check tickets? I don't know why an enthusiast would do that.
Yes, I've experienced a couple of "enthusiasts" posing as NR employees (high Viz with hand drawn logo) shouting at passengers about the yellow line, pretending to take measurements of the platform and mucking about on the level crossing.
I ignored them and spoke to NR to send someone out to check they didn't come to any harm.
There are enthusiasts who play at being staff, there used to be one who "marshalled" the bus station in central Milton Keynes, but hasn't been about for a long time.
How very sad. I certainly wouldn’t stand for any nonsense like that. If someone asks for my ticket pretending to be staff and tries to stop me getting on the train, it won’t go down well.
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