Who are the "real criminals" ? How many people in this (
http://www.railforums.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=152) forum section have deliberately and knowingly avoided paying their fare ?
Should we not have RPI/REO's ? The fact is that people do not want to pay and are happy for others to subsidize their travel.
One of the reasons why they "camp out" are certain locations is because they are where high fare evasion is taking place. Would you prefer they camped out where they were not required and have no impact and would be totally wasted ?
Weirdly this very evening (Thursday) A drunk at Sevenoaks tried to tap out with his oyster. His reaction was that he will simply bin his oyster and get a new one if it charges him. I assume that is somehow Southeasterns fault.
We can't win. If we actively protect our revenue we are over zealous and intimidating and always blatantly wrong. If we leave the gates open and remove RPIs, Guards, CSA's, REO's from the trains then its a free for all.
Last year I attended a meeting where it was discussed that there will be a change towards revenue protection rather revenue support and a reliance on government subsidy this is due to various agreements set out in the Direct Award. Part of that was to employ more gateline staff and ensure the barriers are manned at more locations and SE take a more active role in reducing fare evasion.
If Southeastern are truly **** then pull the franchise.