Great Western Coffee Shop

A general question concerning branchlines which avoid gated mainline and other large stations. Is there a 'policy' for want of a better word to allow travellers between unstaffed branch stations to travel free of charge currently?

There certainly isn’t a policy although there will be situations where people do travel in such circumstances but not pay.

Reasons vary.  In normal times the on board team may not have time, or on crowded services, be able to get through trains between stations to issue tickets.

In recent times staff have not been doing so to reduce contact although I learned today that is now starting to change.

In any event revenue protection staff do occasionally descend on an ungated station and check all those leaving.

In short the message is “Don’t risk it”.

it seems to me from personal experience that there appears to be no attempt by the onboard crew to undertake fare collection.

As I say until recently, ie the last few days, the practice was not to check/sell tickets on board to reduce contact between staff and travellers.   For obvious reasons this wasn’t publicised. 

However that is now changing.  On board staff will have access to portable machines and will be more visible. 

I accept there have always been cases in the past where on board staff have not been proactive in walking up and down trains but the recent policy was industry wide.

On board revenue is due to resume tomorrow.

I can confirm that revenue gathering has returned on the service that I use.