FixMyTransport: Do their job and check for valid tickets on train journeys into Manchester

Description

Alan Gent

I travel into Manchester on a regular basis and am probably asked to show a ticket in the ratio of about 1 in 10 journeys. On Saturday afternoons none of the stations are manned after 1300 and I estimate that at least 100 people per train then travel for free because the conductor on the train does not leave his cubicle to check for, or issue, tickets.
Since most of these stations are high level, it would be easy to install a ticket operated turnstile to prevent people walking onto the platforms without a ticket and thus avoid price rises unnecessarily.

Comment

Problem History

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1 Alan Gent reported the issue on FixMyTransport. close 13:42 10 Oct 2011 #
2 Alan Gent wrote to Northern Rail close 13:42 10 Oct 2011 #

Here is the letter that Alan Gent wrote.

Lack of revenue protection

I travel into Manchester on a regular basis and am probably asked to show a ticket in the ratio of about 1 in 10 journeys. On Saturday afternoons none of the stations are manned after 1300 and I estimate that at least 100 people per train then travel for free because the conductor on the train does not leave his cubicle to check for, or issue, tickets.
Since most of these stations are high level, it would be easy to install a ticket operated turnstile to prevent people walking onto the platforms without a ticket and thus avoid price rises unnecessarily.
3 Customer Relations responded to Alan Gent close 13:45 10 Oct 2011 #

Dear Customer

Customer Relations

Case Reference: NR/227447

Thank you for taking the time to contact Northern, the train
company serving commmunities across the north of England.

We aim to respond within 20 working days.

In the meantime we can confirm receipt of your feedback/enquiry.

Kind regards

Customer Relations Officer

show quoted sections

Dear Customer

Customer Relations

Case Reference: NR/227447

Thank you for taking the time to contact Northern, the train
company serving commmunities across the north of England.

We aim to respond within 20 working days.

In the meantime we can confirm receipt of your feedback/enquiry.

Kind regards

Customer Relations Officer

----------------------------------------------------------------

Attention:
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only.

Any views or opinions expressed and presented are those of the
author
and do not necessarily represent those of Northern Rail Ltd.

If you are not the intended recipient then you have received
this email in error and any use, disclosure, forwarding,
printing,
copying and distribution is strictly prohibited.

If you have received this transmission in error please contact
and
notify the sender. Thank you for your co-operation.

This email was scanned and cleared by the Northern Rail
Ltd Information Services Department.

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4 Myf Nixon commented close 15:00 11 Oct 2011 #

Yes, it's a good point. Free rides for other people mean more expensive tickets for the rest of us, presumably - plus the operators have no record of how the line is being used, and can use low numbers as an excuse for cuts to the service.

anorak

admin
5 Chris in Leeds commented close 20:25 11 Oct 2011 #

Automatic ticket barriers are required to be staffed at all times the station is open, so can not be be installed at stations with no platform staff.

They can not be installed at unstaffed stations as there would be no means of escape during an emergency, or no means of accessing the platform if the ticket machine was not working.
6 Neil Thomas-Childs commented close 20:48 11 Oct 2011 #

This happens on my FGW line in Devon as well and is totally annoying. Don't think ticket barriers are the answer as fare dodgers know what times they are unmanned and open. The guards / ticket inspectors should do their job and ensure all passengers have paid.
7 Northern Rail responded to Alan Gent close 13:18 13 Oct 2011 #

[Do their job and check for valid tickets on train journeys into Manchester email]
Northern Rail 227447

13 October 2011

Our Reference NR/ 227447

Dear [Do their job and check for valid tickets on train journeys into Manchester email]

Thank you for your e-mail, which I received recently.

Thank you for your recent email. Please rest assured that your feedback has now been passed on to the relevant teams in Northern. Should you wish to know more please contact us directly at [Northern Rail problem reporting email].

Yours sincerely

Ann Rowley
Customer Relations Officer
FREEPOST RLSL-ABEC-BGUU
Northern Customer Relations
First Floor, The Travel Centre
City Railway Station
Leeds
LS1 4DY

Tel 0845 00 00 125
Fax 0113 2479 059

http://www.northernrail.org

show quoted sections

[Do their job and check for valid tickets on train journeys into Manchester email]
Northern Rail 227447

13 October 2011

Our Reference NR/ 227447

Dear [Do their job and check for valid tickets on train journeys into Manchester email]

Thank you for your e-mail, which I received recently.

Thank you for your recent email. Please rest assured that your feedback has now been passed on to the relevant teams in Northern. Should you wish to know more please contact us directly at [Northern Rail problem reporting email].

Yours sincerely

Ann Rowley
Customer Relations Officer
FREEPOST RLSL-ABEC-BGUU
Northern Customer Relations
First Floor, The Travel Centre
City Railway Station
Leeds
LS1 4DY

Tel 0845 00 00 125
Fax 0113 2479 059

http://www.northernrail.org

---------------------------------------------------------------------
This email is confidential and intended for the named addressee only.

Any views or opinions expressed and presented are those of the author
and do not necessarily represent those of Northern Rail Ltd.

If you are not the intended recipient then you have received
this email in error and any use, disclosure, forwarding, printing,
copying and distribution is strictly prohibited.

If you have received this transmission in error please contact and
notify the sender. Thank you for your co-operation.

This email was scanned and cleared by the Northern Rail Ltd Information
Services Department.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

hide quoted sections
8 Tom Davidson commented close 15:33 17 Jan 2012 #

Funnily enough I've just reported the same issue from Mauldeth Road. Whilst ticket barriers aren't possible at unstaffed stations, they certainly are at Manchester Piccadilly, but apparently aren't popular with all train operators. Keep lobbying and we might eventually get them!
9 catherine cook commented close 19:14 14 Feb 2012 #

What makes you assume no one else except you has purchased a ticket??
10 Alan Gent commented close 19:28 14 Feb 2012 #

Because if I'm early for the train I watch people on the platform. They don't go on the ticket
Office and then board the train in the 'dodgers carriage' that is at the very front. I have aen people who do this and have has to pay by by CC when actually confronted by a guard and at least 2 people who actually didn't have any money to pay; one Of which was quite rightly booked; the other, let off.
OK?
11 Daniel Gareth commented close 18:18 06 Oct 2012 #

Alan, you need to get laid mate.
12 Alan Gent commented close 18:44 06 Oct 2012 #

Can I suggest you go forth and multiply old
Bean??