Ticket checks at Preston

[Hellfire]

I travel from Preston to London on the 0657 once a week and every morning there are three or four VT staff at the top of the slope leading to platforms 3 and 4 checking tickets before I board my train.

This only started in the last few months, there were never any regular checks before that, just the occasional blockade by Northern . I don't know if they are doing the same thing elsewhere in the station, there are at least three different ways of accessing these platforms as well as the subway.

This must be costing quite a bit in staff time and I wondered if it is a permanent thing and why it was suddenly started up relatively recently. I don't know if they only cover peak times, they are never around in the evening when I get back.

 

[roversfan2001]

I think it's to do with the Lancaster to London Off-Peak Return having less restrictions than a Preston to London ticket, but forbidding break of journey. A lot of people try to start short on it at Preston.

 

[bb21]

Probably been told by the DfT to get their acts together with regard to revenue protection.

In a similar vein, I passed through King's Cross at 1945 today and the gates were manned. Previously they were always open when I go past around that time.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

A more important factor is the target dates for the introduction of "improved" revenue protection measures included in the Direct Award. Automatic ticket gates are the DfT's preferred method of achieving this but of course there are practical difficulties with installing them at Preston, hence the regular appearance of staff carrying out ticket checks.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Probably been told by the DfT to get their acts together with regard to revenue protection.

In a similar vein, I passed through King's Cross at 1945 today and the gates were manned. Previously they were always open when I go past around that time.

Similarly the gates at Birmingham New St were fully staffed at 0550 on Saturday, I've never seen that before either. They were open on Sunday at about 2045 when the station was busier, but it's a start I guess

 

[cyclebytrain]

I think it's to do with the Lancaster to London Off-Peak Return having less restrictions than a Preston to London ticket, but forbidding break of journey. A lot of people try to start short on it at Preston.

Not for that train, that's Anytimes only*

*I await with eager anticipation the inevitable reply with an obscure off peak fare that is in fact valid but I don't know about...

 

[roversfan2001]

Not for that train, that's Anytimes only*

*I await with eager anticipation the inevitable reply with an obscure off peak fare that is in fact valid but I don't know about...

Ah right, must be the 0757 that is Off-Peak from Lancaster.

 

[miami]

Not for that train, that's Anytimes only*

*I await with eager anticipation the inevitable reply with an obscure off peak fare that is in fact valid but I don't know about...

The 0717 would be valid as well as the 0758, albeit overtaken by the 0758 so rather meaningless if you are going directly to London.

This is the only direct train of the day from Glasgow that isn't off peak.

If I were trying to stop people at Preston I'd be more worried about these fares, which would be valid on the 0657, and claim to by Anytime tickets, bookable on despite having a no BOJ restriction on them.