Minimum delay for delay repay (XC)

[whole diary]

[trainer]

For some reason, many feel a train journey should be free.

It is most unfortunate that someone who represents passengers feels that 'many' of us feel this way.  Anecdotal evidence and vague wording is perhaps never ideal in reaching conclusions about the true state of affairs and attitudes of the vast majority.  But I'm sure this is does not inform the way we are represented.

I remember once a TM^‡(resolve) had a 'ticket punch' that marked a date and the service headcode, ... that would be a pretty decent way of proving which train you were on.

Couldn't agree more.  It means though that a ticket inspector is readily available at the time of the delay to stamp the ticket if not previously seen and not engaged in safety critical business.

[ChrisB]

'Many' certainly doesn't = 'vast majority' (your words, not mine). But it is certainly more than 'a few'

Opinion based on my observations at many ticket gates in checking that pax are being treated fairly, along with observations made while travelling in Europe. Far more try it on, it's a fact that we need to accept, educate that, in fact, one does need to pay, and move on in a better place.

It means though that a ticket inspector is readily available at the time of the delay to stamp the ticket if not previously seen and not engaged in safety critical business.

Or at any time until one alights, or at the alighting station.

[LiskeardRich]

'Many' certainly doesn't = 'vast majority' (your words, not mine). But it is certainly more than 'a few'

I read somewhere around 3000 a month are caught without a valid ticket for various reasons. I would certainly agree that's "many" but still only around 1% of rail journeys.

[trainer]

Far more try it on, it's a fact that we need to accept, educate that, in fact, one does need to pay, and move on in a better place.

I'm not able to compare how many 'try it on' in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) compared with Europe in any meaningful way, but I couldn't agree more about the acceptance and education about paying for transport.  I have from time-to-time robustly challenged acquaintances who have had the temerity to boast about avoiding paying a fare/part fare.  It's not popular and a bit a 'downer' at a convivial gathering...but hey, who wants to be popular?     

[readytostart]

XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) had a new supply of Zifas a few years back, replacing letters in headcodes with an extra numerical dial. I believe the addition of former CT services added too many letter to fit on a dial. An old Zifa for example would be 1S51 whereas the new ones would be 11951 (S being the nineteenth letter in the alphabet)!

That'd be a Zifa ticket punch.

http://www.zifferndruck.de/en/products_ticketstamper.shtml

CrossCountry are very good at supplying their staff with these.

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) (as was), were supposed to supply all their conductors and train managers with Zifa punches as a franchise commitment some years back. Like so many things FGW were supposed to do that would cost them money, they found away to ignore this commitment.