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All across the Great Western territory => Fare's Fair => Topic started by: FGW My Second Home! on September 09, 2007, 18:03:37



Title: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: FGW My Second Home! on September 09, 2007, 18:03:37
For the 3rd weekend running I have travelled from Bristol to London and at no time has there been any check of my tickets by the Train manager or station staff

For 2 of the journeys i exited Paddington main line to the Hammersmith and City line and was not asked to show my tickets by staff, the other journey i arrived at an open platform.

Last night the train was quite crowded due to the football at Wembley, the Train manager announced at least 4 time s before departure about Leisure Advance tickets and being on the right train otherwise you will be liable to buy a new ticket and nothing happened - how do I know? Well the 2 guys sitting with me had tickets for the 09:30 service - this was the 20:00 departure to BTM

Are FGW this lax normally?

I wonder how many 'freebies' travel each Saturday.

Or are they making enough from the mugs who pay and travel on the right train?

(My journey also involved taking a train out of Liverpool Street and then a bus to arrive at my destination due to engineering works- the staff were just as un-interested on the ticket front.....)


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Timmer on September 09, 2007, 18:57:10
Management may care about revenue protection but I dont think most of the frontline staff really care because of low morale towards their employers. They can hardly afford to sack them as they are short of staff as it is.


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: vacman on September 10, 2007, 20:16:38
Management may care about revenue protection but I dont think most of the frontline staff really care because of low morale towards their employers. They can hardly afford to sack them as they are short of staff as it is.
Personally I think FGW should start clampling down on lazy guards, I'm fed up with being one of the only members of staff who actually bother to go through the train and check tickets and yet I see my "colleagues" do bugger all and when they do go out occasionally they sell the wrong tickets and give out duff information. Staff morale IS low but at the end of the day we are all paid to do a job, and we get paid bloody well compared to other industries and it's about time that the lazy individuals stopped letting the side down, it's people like them that just make an already bad company even worse!


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: simonw on September 10, 2007, 21:46:26
Hi

I travel daily from Bristol PW to Reading, and normally I can predict if the Guard is going to check my ticket. If

  • The train is busy, no guard
  • The train is late, no guard

Guards are like most people, they hate hassle. If FGW want to improve ticket checking rates, add more carriages and improve reliability.


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Scooby on September 10, 2007, 22:06:47
I frequently travel between Exeter/Truro and rarely have my ticket checked, especially on the way down to Truro, the problem seems worse on FGW HST services, it makes you wonder just how much money they loose, especially around stations such as Newton Abbot/Totnes which have no barriers....


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Timmer on September 11, 2007, 07:26:06
Management may care about revenue protection but I dont think most of the frontline staff really care because of low morale towards their employers. They can hardly afford to sack them as they are short of staff as it is.
Personally I think FGW should start clampling down on lazy guards, I'm fed up with being one of the only members of staff who actually bother to go through the train and check tickets and yet I see my "colleagues" do bugger all and when they do go out occasionally they sell the wrong tickets and give out duff information. Staff morale IS low but at the end of the day we are all paid to do a job, and we get paid bloody well compared to other industries and it's about time that the lazy individuals stopped letting the side down, it's people like them that just make an already bad company even worse!
Sadly what you say Vacman is endemic in a lot companies these days when the bosses back is turned there are people who sit around all day and do bugger all and get well paid for it and people wonder why this country is in such a state. Try and sack them and you end up in an employment tribunal for unfair dismissal.


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Jim on September 14, 2007, 21:03:24
Management may care about revenue protection but I dont think most of the frontline staff really care because of low morale towards their employers. They can hardly afford to sack them as they are short of staff as it is.
Personally I think FGW should start clampling down on lazy guards, I'm fed up with being one of the only members of staff who actually bother to go through the train and check tickets and yet I see my "colleagues" do bugger all and when they do go out occasionally they sell the wrong tickets and give out duff information. Staff morale IS low but at the end of the day we are all paid to do a job, and we get paid bloody well compared to other industries and it's about time that the lazy individuals stopped letting the side down, it's people like them that just make an already bad company even worse!
Not forgetting the fact that 'as a rule' HS guards do less work than local, yet look at the pay difference!


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: vacman on September 15, 2007, 15:17:15
Management may care about revenue protection but I dont think most of the frontline staff really care because of low morale towards their employers. They can hardly afford to sack them as they are short of staff as it is.
Personally I think FGW should start clampling down on lazy guards, I'm fed up with being one of the only members of staff who actually bother to go through the train and check tickets and yet I see my "colleagues" do bugger all and when they do go out occasionally they sell the wrong tickets and give out duff information. Staff morale IS low but at the end of the day we are all paid to do a job, and we get paid bloody well compared to other industries and it's about time that the lazy individuals stopped letting the side down, it's people like them that just make an already bad company even worse!
Not forgetting the fact that 'as a rule' HS guards do less work than local, yet look at the pay difference!
There's plenty of lazy "West" conductors aswell, also bear in mind that a lot of the former Wessex routes are pay train routes so there is more pressure on the guard to go out and do tickets.


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: martyjon on September 15, 2007, 16:40:32
Without quoting statements made previously in this thread is it not time then for FGW to employ a few 'mystery shoppers' to travel on services and produce a log of ticket checks made on the various services travelled.

Also, albeit at the wroth of the passengers, when there is a stop at a major station such as BTM and such stop involves a crew change why not impose / instigate an "ALL TICKETS INSPECTION".

Last Thursday I travelled from my local station to Taunton and didnt have my ticket checked. The guard / conductor didnt get to me before the stop at Bristol Parkway. Then on leaving BPW he didnt bother because Filton Abbey Wood was only 4 minutes away then as he was observed going off-duty at BTM presumably he was busy packing up all his paraphanalia to bother with a final ticket check. On leaving BTM the new guard / conductor just passed through the unit to the front end to operate the doors at Bedminster and Parsons Street and on leaving Parsons Street went back through the train asking for tickets from Bedminster and Parsons Street of which there were none as no passengers were on the platform as the train arrived. No passengers boarded at Nailsea and Backwell, a few boarded at Yatton and Worle but they were in the rear car so might have been checked. No check was made in the front coach leaving Weston although there were passengers in the front coach who got on at Weston. Highbridge did solicit an "any tickets from Highbridge" check but Bridgwater didn't and the guard / conductor walked through the train to the front cab with his coat and box of tricks and on arrival at Taunton opened the doors from the front door door control panel and before I got off was stood in the front cab with the door open and with the cup from his thermos at his lips in full view of the disembarking passengers.





 


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: devon_metro on September 17, 2007, 20:41:42
I often get checked on my local line with a friendly line from Paignton, Theres a very friendy woman at Exeter who squeezed through a wedged 153 combo on a peak Exeter - Paignton working. Ticket checks at every station. She was doing a great job.

I have frequently have travelled first class and might as well have not even bought a ticket apart from my complimentary refreshements!


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: 12hoursunday on September 17, 2007, 23:53:10
There are at Bristol and Paddington a number of Train Managers who are newly qualified in the grade but have up untill now no training in the selling/checking of tickets.

This may explain some of the reasons as to why ther have been no checks. There are of course a few lazy gits about and the management know who they are!


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: vacman on September 18, 2007, 13:37:32
There are at Bristol and Paddington a number of Train Managers who are newly qualified in the grade but have up untill now no training in the selling/checking of tickets.

This may explain some of the reasons as to why ther have been no checks. There are of course a few lazy gits about and the management know who they are!
There are a couple of guards not yet ticket trained, which is a farce in it's self, but the ones i'm on about are generally ex BR staff who think that because they've been on the railway since Brunel built the Royal Albert bridge they can do what they want, if management know who these lazy git's are then why don't they do something about it?
All the train crew managers don't seem to care that no one does tickets but kick up F*** when your shoes aren't polished! When FGW start paying their rediculous premium back to the Government then their only source of revenue will be from the fare box!


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Mookiemoo on October 08, 2007, 00:46:58
I travel first class daily and know a lot of the train managers (since they loiter at that end of the train)

They are not paid by how many evaders they get sdo often they dont see why they should have the hastle.

I regularly report standards sitting in first as I dont see why I should pay full first fare when others dont.

In defence of the staff - most of them are great (except london agency buffet/hosts who are crap) and hate FGW as much as we do.

ENver forget the staff on the train are human as well


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Shazz on October 08, 2007, 08:52:00
wait, FGW check tickets on HST's to london? Are you sure about this?

i havn't been checked for at least the last year...


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Jim on October 08, 2007, 15:31:10
wait, FGW check tickets on HST's to london? Are you sure about this?

i havn't been checked for at least the last year...

I can well belive that


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Mookiemoo on October 08, 2007, 15:37:35
wait, FGW check tickets on HST's to london? Are you sure about this?

i havn't been checked for at least the last year...

Yep.

0634 shrub hill to Paddington - usually checked just after Oxford

1822  Paddington to shrub hill - first class always checked in first 20-30 minutes - certainly before you get to Reading.

0552 from shrub to PAddington - frequent checks

1922 paddingtont o shrub hill - so busy I doubt the manager can get through


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Conner on October 08, 2007, 16:20:40
In Cornwall HST guards hardly ever check tickets. I dont think they can be bovered to walk the length of the train. On HST's from London the guard is in the buffet,which is usually closed, and just walks to coach E to open the doors and usually lets platform staff do all the work.
But as long as a local train isnt busy or late your tickets get checked. On the Falmouth branch the other weekend there was a revenue inspector and when the train got busy from Falmouth to Truro she and the guard were both checking tickets. Going back on the mainline to Camborne she also got on that and did an "all tickets please" check.
Once when I was travelling to London with my family we had to get the Cardiff service(pre December 06 timetable but still FGW) and change at Taunton and the guard just walked straight past us thinking he'd already checked our tickets and didn't we get checked all the way to Taunton. If you're checking tickets on a two-carriage train surely you have a rough idea where people were sitting and atleast ask.


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: gaf71 on October 08, 2007, 17:36:10
wait, FGW check tickets on HST's to london? Are you sure about this?

i havn't been checked for at least the last year...
Im a conductor on the local 'west' services and would just like to say that I and most of my colleagues at my depot will always do a full ticket check after principal stations, and a 'call over' check after any station where a passenger boards. It seems there are different rules for us and the HST train managers judging by the comments on this thread!
Please note i did say 'most' as there are also some lazy gits on the local services.


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: devon_metro on October 08, 2007, 17:43:22
I always get checked on local services and in First Class. Its rare to get checked on the quiet HSTs that I sometimes board and i've had AP and the guard has believed a friend that I was on them. Shows they aren't bothred.


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: TerminalJunkie on October 08, 2007, 18:47:07
Quote from: gaf71
Im a conductor on the local 'west' services and would just like to say that I and most of my colleagues at my depot will always do a full ticket check after principal stations, and a 'call over' check after any station where a passenger boards. [...]
Please note i did say 'most' as there are also some lazy gits on the local services.

Apropos of nothing in particular, whatever happened to Dave Andrews? ;)


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: vacman on October 08, 2007, 20:59:03
The local Conductors do ten time more work than nearly all "train managers" on HST's, (and I did say NEARLY then, there are a few TM's that pull their weight, most seem to be from Penzance depot) if you need to find the TM they can usually be found sat in coach F drinking tea! and they get ^4k per year more than "local" conductors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: gaf71 on October 09, 2007, 18:00:35
Quote from: gaf71
Im a conductor on the local 'west' services and would just like to say that I and most of my colleagues at my depot will always do a full ticket check after principal stations, and a 'call over' check after any station where a passenger boards. [...]
Please note i did say 'most' as there are also some lazy gits on the local services.

Apropos of nothing in particular, whatever happened to Dave Andrews? ;)
Dave Andrews was 'asked' to leave a couple of years ago, read into that what you like. ;)


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: dog box on November 09, 2007, 22:01:11
The local Conductors do ten time more work than nearly all "train managers" on HST's, (and I did say NEARLY then, there are a few TM's that pull their weight, most seem to be from Penzance depot) if you need to find the TM they can usually be found sat in coach F drinking tea! and they get ^4k per year more than "local" conductors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Think you will find Fgw T/Ms have a supervisory role over other on train staff so prehaps thats why they get paid more and as HSTs stop at short platforms, so when travelling on the down lines and the Train isnt reverse formation the T/M needs to be at in the rear of the train.


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: jester on November 09, 2007, 22:17:09
How much more money??  Supervising what other on-board staff! I take it u mean the usually non-existent buffet staff. At least most times when I have travelled they are invisible.


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: vacman on November 10, 2007, 10:05:48
Usually TM's are sat either in TGS or in Coach F doin bugger all! some TM's do manage to do their tickets so if these few can do it then so can all the others!


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Tickets Please on November 10, 2007, 15:42:18
How much more money??  Supervising what other on-board staff! I take it u mean the usually non-existent buffet staff. At least most times when I have travelled they are invisible.

basic salary according to the fgw www site is 27k but with overtime etc realistic earnings are between 32k and 46k depending on how many days off are worked.


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: oooooo on November 10, 2007, 18:00:42
basic salary according to the fgw www site is 27k but with overtime etc realistic earnings are between 32k and 46k depending on how many days off are worked.

Compared with just under ^22K for a 'conductor'


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: vacman on November 10, 2007, 20:45:25
basic salary according to the fgw www site is 27k but with overtime etc realistic earnings are between 32k and 46k depending on how many days off are worked.

Compared with just under ^22K for a 'conductor'
Conductors get commission on ticket sales though! But they have to take ^2200 in a 4 week period before they start earning commission though!


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Tickets Please on November 10, 2007, 21:39:11
basic salary according to the fgw www site is 27k but with overtime etc realistic earnings are between 32k and 46k depending on how many days off are worked.

Compared with just under ^22K for a 'conductor'
Conductors get commission on ticket sales though! But they have to take ^2200 in a 4 week period before they start earning commission though!

TM's get %1 of all on train revenue (buffet and ticket sales) but its not personally based. Every TM in FGW gets the same commision payment. There are talks at present about making everyones conditions equal (ex-Wessex, ex-Link/Thames and ex-Great Western) so that might change. But at present it remains at %1 of the period total.


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Mookiemoo on November 10, 2007, 22:51:44
Usually TM's are sat either in TGS or in Coach F doin bugger all! some TM's do manage to do their tickets so if these few can do it then so can all the others!

Have to say I had a very helpful TM on the 14:45 from pad to swansea

He eventually got around to the ticket check sometime after swindon (I suspect when I walked past him from first class in jogging bottoms because he seemed to eyeball me).

I asked if I got an honesty discount - my season ticket covered me to reading where the routes technically diverge - according to the ticket office. I could easily have said I got on at swindon. Normally a return to ludlow from reading is ^46ish.   I showed him my season ticket and he gave me a return to ludlow from oxford which was only ^36 - ticket office swears this not possible since the south wales trains do not stop at oxford.

This gets more confusing by the day!


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Jim on November 11, 2007, 07:56:28
Well, I went on 5 HST's yesterday and got checked once
I went on 2 Local Units yesterday and got checked twice!


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Conner on November 11, 2007, 09:05:41
Well, I went on 5 HST's yesterday and got checked once
I went on 2 Local Units yesterday and got checked twice!
I went on 6 local units and got checked 5 times.
I went on 7 HST's and got checked 4 times.


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Jim on November 11, 2007, 09:09:51
Well, I went on 5 HST's yesterday and got checked once
I went on 2 Local Units yesterday and got checked twice!
I went on 6 local units and got checked 5 times.
I went on 7 HST's and got checked 4 times.

Bit of a 'mega bash' so to speak there wasn't it? :P


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Conner on November 11, 2007, 15:23:05
Well, I went on 5 HST's yesterday and got checked once
I went on 2 Local Units yesterday and got checked twice!
I went on 6 local units and got checked 5 times.
I went on 7 HST's and got checked 4 times.

Bit of a 'mega bash' so to speak there wasn't it? :P
Stuck in Cornwall.


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Mookiemoo on November 11, 2007, 18:02:08
17:09 Newport to Paddington ......... nota single check so far and no sign the TM is in any hurry to do one


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: devon_metro on November 11, 2007, 19:22:31
Don't expect miracles at that time of day.

The only time TMs do ticket checks is when the train is actually busy - but not wedged in order to 'ching' as many people as possible.


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Shazz on November 25, 2007, 21:38:01
I've actually had my tickets checked recently, shock horror! (for the first time in a year)


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: vacman on November 26, 2007, 13:09:18
Of course, to explain what the Train Managers's job is to those of you who think that they are a ticket inspector that blows a whistle every so often...

The train guard has got many tasks to perform, and the safe running of the train is their main one. Ticket checking is not the priority - or even 2nd or 3rd in line. It's what gets done after the train is safely dispatched from the station, passenger information is given, issues concerning passengers that boarded are sorted, seeing where the wheelchair-bound are going & arranging assistance at their destination, telling the yanks with 4 huge cases thay can't block the asile with them, sorting out occupied seats for passengers with reservations, answering bone questions about what time we get to Bath, listening to whinges about the train being late two days ago or "why wasn't I told by platform staff this is not the Newbury train", asking control to hold connections if we are late, finding out why we are late, even when we are on time having to tell passengers we are on time, it's their watch that is wrong, and then, if there is time before the next stop, checking a few tickets...

Of course, I COULD do a full ticket check before unlocking the doors ar each station, or just unlock one door and then check everybodys ticket before boarding - all those in favour say "Aye"...

On the run from Bristol to London, I personally try to check tickets as often as possible.  With approx 15 minutes between stops, I can get 2 carriages done between stops if they are full, and I am working hard to do that.  And that is just checking - sorting out selling tickets, or answering bone questions about connections that idiots should have found out before getting on the train in the first place (conditions of carriage, it is up to YOU to ensure you have the journey details before starting the journey - and how the hell should I know the numbers of a bus routes in Oxford, to quote one dumb-ass question I was asked last week), and it slows it down further.

And just to defend the new TM's in Bristol and Padd, they do check tickets, and they have been put out to work as otherwise trains would be getting cancelled due to no train managers at all - better a train with some fare dodgers than no train at all.

What there needs to be is more Revenue Inspectors, but they will only hunt in pairs or trios, meaning even less trains are covered by them.
I don't think anyone is doubting that the TM's have a lot to do, but there are a lot of TM's in the Westcountry who spend their entire turn sat in "F" not doing any of the above! I know, I work on HST's sometimes and see it for myself!


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: devon_metro on November 26, 2007, 17:18:23
It certainly is the case, i've been sat in F whilst the TM and his ticket inspector occupied a table from Bodmin - Newquay and return!

He even left his door in coach F open when closing a door in standard at Par and hence delaying a train that miraculously made it from Newquay - Par on time!


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: John R on November 26, 2007, 19:40:52
I boarded a Bristol bound train at Nailsea on Saturday, without having purchased a ticket as I needed a GroupSave. The TM closed the doors and went straight into the rear cab for the rest of the journey. Although I would have been OK as the ticket I wanted was not available from the machine, it occurred to me as I queued for 15 minutes at the barrier at TM that when penalty fare collectors start appearing (have they?), FGW do make it difficult for you to buy a ticket sometimes.

Interestingly tickets purchased at barriers now state on the back that you would have got a penalty fare if a penalty fare collector had been on the train.

   


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Jim on November 26, 2007, 20:07:08
I boarded a Bristol bound train at Nailsea on Saturday, without having purchased a ticket as I needed a GroupSave. The TM closed the doors and went straight into the rear cab for the rest of the journey. Although I would have been OK as the ticket I wanted was not available from the machine, it occurred to me as I queued for 15 minutes at the barrier at TM that when penalty fare collectors start appearing (have they?), FGW do make it difficult for you to buy a ticket sometimes.

Interestingly tickets purchased at barriers now state on the back that you would have got a penalty fare if a penalty fare collector had been on the train.

   

Standard Avantix Ticket roll ATM. RSP 9299/PEN


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Tickets Please on November 26, 2007, 20:19:14
Of course, to explain what the Train Managers's job is to those of you who think that they are a ticket inspector that blows a whistle every so often...

The train guard has got many tasks to perform, and the safe running of the train is their main one. Ticket checking is not the priority - or even 2nd or 3rd in line. It's what gets done after the train is safely dispatched from the station, passenger information is given, issues concerning passengers that boarded are sorted, seeing where the wheelchair-bound are going & arranging assistance at their destination, telling the yanks with 4 huge cases thay can't block the asile with them, sorting out occupied seats for passengers with reservations, answering bone questions about what time we get to Bath, listening to whinges about the train being late two days ago or "why wasn't I told by platform staff this is not the Newbury train", asking control to hold connections if we are late, finding out why we are late, even when we are on time having to tell passengers we are on time, it's their watch that is wrong, and then, if there is time before the next stop, checking a few tickets...

Of course, I COULD do a full ticket check before unlocking the doors ar each station, or just unlock one door and then check everybodys ticket before boarding - all those in favour say "Aye"...

On the run from Bristol to London, I personally try to check tickets as often as possible.  With approx 15 minutes between stops, I can get 2 carriages done between stops if they are full, and I am working hard to do that.  And that is just checking - sorting out selling tickets, or answering bone questions about connections that idiots should have found out before getting on the train in the first place (conditions of carriage, it is up to YOU to ensure you have the journey details before starting the journey - and how the hell should I know the numbers of a bus routes in Oxford, to quote one dumb-ass question I was asked last week), and it slows it down further.

And just to defend the new TM's in Bristol and Padd, they do check tickets, and they have been put out to work as otherwise trains would be getting cancelled due to no train managers at all - better a train with some fare dodgers than no train at all.

What there needs to be is more Revenue Inspectors, but they will only hunt in pairs or trios, meaning even less trains are covered by them.
I don't think anyone is doubting that the TM's have a lot to do, but there are a lot of TM's in the Westcountry who spend their entire turn sat in "F" not doing any of the above! I know, I work on HST's sometimes and see it for myself!

you 'work' on HST's - what do you do then?


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: vacman on November 27, 2007, 12:57:36
Of course, to explain what the Train Managers's job is to those of you who think that they are a ticket inspector that blows a whistle every so often...

The train guard has got many tasks to perform, and the safe running of the train is their main one. Ticket checking is not the priority - or even 2nd or 3rd in line. It's what gets done after the train is safely dispatched from the station, passenger information is given, issues concerning passengers that boarded are sorted, seeing where the wheelchair-bound are going & arranging assistance at their destination, telling the yanks with 4 huge cases thay can't block the asile with them, sorting out occupied seats for passengers with reservations, answering bone questions about what time we get to Bath, listening to whinges about the train being late two days ago or "why wasn't I told by platform staff this is not the Newbury train", asking control to hold connections if we are late, finding out why we are late, even when we are on time having to tell passengers we are on time, it's their watch that is wrong, and then, if there is time before the next stop, checking a few tickets...

Of course, I COULD do a full ticket check before unlocking the doors ar each station, or just unlock one door and then check everybodys ticket before boarding - all those in favour say "Aye"...

On the run from Bristol to London, I personally try to check tickets as often as possible.  With approx 15 minutes between stops, I can get 2 carriages done between stops if they are full, and I am working hard to do that.  And that is just checking - sorting out selling tickets, or answering bone questions about connections that idiots should have found out before getting on the train in the first place (conditions of carriage, it is up to YOU to ensure you have the journey details before starting the journey - and how the hell should I know the numbers of a bus routes in Oxford, to quote one dumb-ass question I was asked last week), and it slows it down further.

And just to defend the new TM's in Bristol and Padd, they do check tickets, and they have been put out to work as otherwise trains would be getting cancelled due to no train managers at all - better a train with some fare dodgers than no train at all.

What there needs to be is more Revenue Inspectors, but they will only hunt in pairs or trios, meaning even less trains are covered by them.
I don't think anyone is doubting that the TM's have a lot to do, but there are a lot of TM's in the Westcountry who spend their entire turn sat in "F" not doing any of the above! I know, I work on HST's sometimes and see it for myself!

you 'work' on HST's - what do you do then?
Without giving too much away, part of my job involves checking tickets, I can't say too much because I can be in trouble if my managers find out that i'm on this forum and I don't wan't them to find out who I am! If you travel by train a lot anywhere between Bristol/Reading/Exeter/Plymouth then you've probably met me. I've said too much!!


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: BandHcommuter on November 27, 2007, 14:40:47
On the run from Bristol to London, I personally try to check tickets as often as possible.  With approx 15 minutes between stops, I can get 2 carriages done between stops if they are full, and I am working hard to do that.  And that is just checking - sorting out selling tickets, or answering bone questions about connections that idiots should have found out before getting on the train in the first place (conditions of carriage, it is up to YOU to ensure you have the journey details before starting the journey - and how the hell should I know the numbers of a bus routes in Oxford, to quote one dumb-ass question I was asked last week), and it slows it down further.

And just to defend the new TM's in Bristol and Padd, they do check tickets, and they have been put out to work as otherwise trains would be getting cancelled due to no train managers at all - better a train with some fare dodgers than no train at all.

What there needs to be is more Revenue Inspectors, but they will only hunt in pairs or trios, meaning even less trains are covered by them.

On the train I most frequently travel home on (1806 from Paddington, which leaves from an ungated platform) I am only guaranteed a ticket check if one particular conductor happens to be on duty. Interestingly, it is the same conductor who is visibly available to passengers on the platform before departure, who makes helpful announcements about ticket validity before the train leaves, and who will walk through a fairly crowded train on departure to check everyone is OK. It may even be you, flamingo! The point is that some train crew seem to embrace their full range of duties with the customer at front of mind, whereas others limit themselves to the operational and safety-related elements of their role. I wonder if FGW undertake mystery shopper surveys to measure consistency of service quality on train?


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: smokey on December 29, 2007, 14:49:25
It's not just FGW, back in the old days of Virgin Cross Country (well last Month) I remember well traveling from Edinburgh to Bodmin Parkway, journey time LONG total ticket checks NIL get the picture?


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: smokey on January 01, 2008, 15:22:35
Of course FGW should have Mystery Shoppers, but two points FGW would have to pay for them and second the RMT would be up in arms, calling for strike action over Mangement Harassment of the Idle.
Far easier to let the Honest Pay the fare of the Dis-honest.


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Sion Bretton on January 03, 2008, 20:11:36
Is the cause there are gates at Cardiff, Newport, Bristol TM, Bristol Parkway, Bath Spa Swindon Reading & Paddington.

I may of missed off a few stations


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: devon_metro on January 04, 2008, 10:31:13
Also gates at Exeter St Davids and Plymouth. They also want to install them at Penzance.


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: vacman on January 04, 2008, 10:51:45
Also gates at Exeter St Davids and Plymouth. They also want to install them at Penzance.
They need them at Truro before Penzance! it's the busiest station in Cornwall by far!


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: devon_metro on January 04, 2008, 11:03:29
I'm surprised Exeter Central doesn't have any TBH as trains from Exmouth practically empty and then fill again at Central.


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: vacman on January 04, 2008, 11:18:19
I'm surprised Exeter Central doesn't have any TBH as trains from Exmouth practically empty and then fill again at Central.
They do have people at the main entrance in the mornings checking tickets, I have heard rumours from the right places that Exeter Central will get barriers.


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: zebedee on January 11, 2008, 15:53:23
I have to say the gates at St David's are a pain - people just bunch up at them and don't know what to do.  The staff try and help get people through but then just get in the way, and then to top it off you get some guy with a bike who then blocks the path of even more people.  It turns into a mess every morning!  The door at St.Davids needs to be twice as wide at least....

Oh, and people who "carriage jump" should be thrown off the train, you know the people - you've selected a door to get on the train and then the door next to you clears and people start pilling on - then jump into the carriage you've selected.   GRRRR!


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: gaf71 on January 12, 2008, 02:33:10
I'm surprised Exeter Central doesn't have any TBH as trains from Exmouth practically empty and then fill again at Central.
I take it that you have never been on any train from Exmouth between 0700 and 0900 weekdays then? ???


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Jim on January 12, 2008, 06:56:05
One of the problems with the 142's - is there is 2 coaches that on most services, will end up being a free for all!


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: devon_metro on January 12, 2008, 09:43:22
I'm surprised Exeter Central doesn't have any TBH as trains from Exmouth practically empty and then fill again at Central.
I take it that you have never been on any train from Exmouth between 0700 and 0900 weekdays then? ???

Sorry, I meant that everybody seems to get off a packed train at Central from the Exmouth direction. There is no way i am saying they are empty ;)


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: vacman on January 12, 2008, 10:17:03
One of the problems with the 142's - is there is 2 coaches that on most services, will end up being a free for all!
There is booked to be an ATE on a few of them for that reason.


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Jim on January 12, 2008, 22:04:49
One of the problems with the 142's - is there is 2 coaches that on most services, will end up being a free for all!
There is booked to be an ATE on a few of them for that reason.
I know - I was just pointing the fact out, that on quite a few still it is, but they are trying to get more Revenue Bods around the area.


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: smokey on January 13, 2008, 13:31:02
What I find sad, is that Tickets bought over the Internet and posted to your home, tend to be Humping Great Big Tickets, 5 times the size of tickets that can work a "Gate Line".


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: Graz on January 13, 2008, 15:31:07
If they're the long grey-ish ones, I used to get those from Bath Spa when I bought my week's worth of tickets going up to Cheltenham Spa a couple years ago. Back then I found them easier to carry around than the small orange ones (Less likely to lose those too) and they were easier to find when I'd stuck them somewhere in the top of my bag!


Title: Re: FGW approach to checking of tickets
Post by: grahame on January 13, 2008, 17:46:04
What I find sad, is that Tickets bought over the Internet and posted to your home, tend to be Humping Great Big Tickets, 5 times the size of tickets that can work a "Gate Line".

We got both the big tickets and "Gate passes" last time.  Hardly cutting down on the paperwork, but I don't suppose a few tickets will make much difference to our carbon footprint  ;)



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