Well done FGW for ticket check

[whole diary]

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

Here^s a bit of praise for FGW^▸ (First Great Western).

The 1718 Padd ^ Oxford is a 180 with first stop Maidenhead.  It is usually ridiculously overcrowded with passengers standing throughout including the First Class.  Last night, as the train was boarding at Padd, there was a Ticket Inspector in the London end vestibule of the First Class coach checking tickets.  Passengers without First Class tickets or who claimed they wished to walk through to the Standard Class coach at the front were told to get off and walk down the platform.

The result?  No Standard Class passengers sitting or standing in the First Class, and the trolley could operate immediately (normally it can^t move until after Maidenhead).

Well done to this particular individual who apparently fulfilled this task without upsetting anybody.  And when Mrs GTBE (who is, ^ er, ^ a pensioner) got home she was still smiling after the Inspector, having checked her ticket, said ^Thank you Miss^!

edited for clarity

[TaplowGreen]

.............not sure the Standard class passengers would be quite so grateful! 

[ChrisB]

....who claimed they wished to walk through to the Standard Class coach at the front were told to get off and walk down the platform.

Which, on a 180, they have already done to reach 1st class, so walking a tad further is not really complainable about.
The rear coaches on an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) are 1st class, so its the first coaches reached....easier to argue if one is short of time before departure....

Good on the inspector, I say.

[Oxonhutch]

It is usually ridiculously overcrowded with passengers standing throughout including the First Class.

Which is the reason I avoid this service like the proverbial, even though it forms a semi-fast direct to my station.  Having paid a premium for the pleasure of 1st, on this train I am not guaranteed a seat, let alone any 'pleasure'.

I rather take the 1715 to Carmarthen and change into it at Reading - even then, unless there is a certain TM^‡(resolve) in charge, 1st is usually 'over filled' to at least Pangbourne.

[Super Guard]

One could assume that moving standard class passengers from the first class HST^▸ (High Speed Train) vestibules is likely to be easier when the train is still stationary at Paddington, as arguing with the TM^‡(resolve)/Inspector means the train is unlikely to move and there is still support from other colleagues to remove such customers from the train.

One could assume once a train is on the move, passengers know they are en-route and that no TM is going to "call the police" or stop the train to eject such passengers.

[NickB]

In such circumstances doens't the TM^‡(resolve) just need to get his notebook out and issue a ticket for travelling with a valid ticket for that accommodation?  Shouldn't need to eject anyone - just enforce the rules.

[Super Guard]

I have moved/attempted to move many many passengers out of first class vestibules between Reading and Paddington in my time, and have been called all manor of abusive terms by sober, smartly presented commuters.  Just because you see passengers stood there, doesn't mean the TM^‡(resolve) has made no effort to move them.  Of course some moan, are rude and move, some will continue to refuse.

I assume the notebook you refer to is an Unpaid Fares Notice.  This requires a valid name and address or the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) cannot enforce the fare.  The reality is someone who is not prepared to follow the laid down rules and refuses to move, is not going to offer their name and address, or offers fake details.

[BerkshireBugsy]

On my journey into London this morning (26/2/2015) I caught a service from Reading which allowed me to change at Ealing Broadway so that I would catch the tube.

When I left the train at Ealing Broadway there was a significant queue waiting to cross to the tube platforms. It appears FGW^▸ (First Great Western) had created a temporary barrier and had several staff doing random ticket checks.

There seemed to be a lot of form filling going on by the staff who also seemed to be on the phone. I'm guessing the phone calls were an attempt to validate identity checks.

Some of the staff had what appeared to be Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) card readers - I'm sure someone else can explain the logic of this.

In summary well done FGW - on behalf of those of us who buy tickets

[ChrisB]

To check that those using them had indeed touched in where they should have done. PF^▸ (Penalty Fare) if they hadn't.

[NickB]

There was also notable disquiet from some passengers as the 07.28 arrival from Worcester arrived at Paddington  into Platform 2 as opposed to its traditional Platform 8 (no barriers).

[chrisr_75]

To check that those using them had indeed touched in where they should have done. PF^▸ (Penalty Fare) if they hadn't.

To expand a little, Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) cards are valid as far as West Drayton, with the (obvious?) exception of Heathrow Express and only as far as Hayes & Harlington on Heathrow Connect, so the revenue inspectors would need Oyster card readers if they were checking tickets at Ealing Broadway.

[BerkshireBugsy]

thanks for all of the helpful comments here. I'm conscious that this thread is in the public area so appreciate it not turning into a wiki on how to avoid fares.

Having said that I would be curious to know how many customers were required to buy a ticket when the Worcester train arrived on p2

[ChrisB]

As would I.....

[chrisr_75]

There was also notable disquiet from some passengers as the 07.28 arrival from Worcester arrived at Paddington  into Platform 2 as opposed to its traditional Platform 8 (no barriers).

It's always puzzled me a little bit why several of the platforms at Paddington have remained without ticket barriers - anyone know the reason? Platform 1 is obvious to maintain access to the retail outlets, but 8/9 are a bit of an anomaly...is it something to do with the now defunct taxi rank?

[IndustryInsider]

It's always puzzled me a little bit why several of the platforms at Paddington have remained without ticket barriers - anyone know the reason? Platform 1 is obvious to maintain access to the retail outlets, but 8/9 are a bit of an anomaly...is it something to do with the now defunct taxi rank?

Something to do with public rights of way I believe.

Edited to fix quotes - bobm