Revenue activity at Euston this morning (17/05)

[sheff1]

No, of course it isn't. But it is reasonable for them to want additional proof of validity when an age-restricted ticket is presented by someone who appears, on first impression, to be too old/young to use that ticket.

The OP said the reason given was that they were wearing a suit. No mention of age.

 

[najaB]

The OP said the reason given was that they were wearing a suit. No mention of age.

Indeed, you are correct. However, based on sk688's previous posts - e.g. this one - I made the assumption that the RPI had doubts about their age. Though, of course, you are equally correct that I shouldn't really make assumptions.

 

[sk688]

Indeed, you are correct. However, based on sk688's previous posts - e.g. this one - I made the assumption that the RPI had doubts about their age. Though, of course, you are equally correct that I shouldn't really make assumptions.

The RPI felt that I was too old to be using the ZipCard , as a result of the suit , at least thats what I think . I dont think he would have had doubts about my age , im 170cm and havent grown a moustache or anything yet , or stubble etc

 

[sk688]

The OP said the reason given was that they were wearing a suit. No mention of age.

The RPI felt that I was too old to be using the ZipCard , as a result of the suit

 

[najaB]

The RPI felt that I was too old to be using the ZipCard , as a result of the suit

Thanks for confirming that the RPI had doubts about your age. You'll probably find it's a combination of your size and the suit. A smaller person in the suit or a larger person dressed in traditional school uniform would probably not have raised any suspicion.

 

[MikeWh]

Thanks for confirming that the RPI had doubts about your age. You'll probably find it's a combination of your size and the suit. A smaller person in the suit or a larger person dressed in traditional school uniform would probably not have raised any suspicion.

Given that a zip card is valid until sometime after your 18th birthday, do you really think 5'7" is particularly tall. Many 6th formers are already over 6'. Very few 6th formers wear school uniform these days.

 

[najaB]

Given that a zip card is valid until sometime after your 18th birthday, do you really think 5'7" is particularly tall. Many 6th formers are already over 6'.

Many, but by no means all. 170cm isn't particularly short for an adult.

Very few 6th formers wear school uniform these days.

Equally, very few of them wear full suits either.

Given that abuse of discounted passes is common, I can understand why a RPI might want some proof of validity.

 

[35B]

Many, but by no means all. 170cm isn't particularly short for an adult.
Equally, very few of them wear full suits either.

Given that abuse of discounted passes is common, I can understand why a RPI might want some proof of validity.

At that age, I was 6'4" and wore a suit as school uniform. I expected to be challenged on my age from about 13, and staff respected my use of the correct documentation. I'd expect the same now.

 

[matt_world2004]

Many, but by no means all. 170cm isn't particularly short for an adult.
Equally, very few of them wear full suits either.

Given that abuse of discounted passes is common, I can understand why a RPI might want some proof of validity.

They do of they are going to a job interview. Funeral . university open day. Work experiance. Etc etc. In some of these circumstances the person woupd not have proof. On them they are at school.

If the rpi suspects the zip is being misused /fake log the number and check its legitimacy with tfl. Since the age requirements for zip photocards are checked using passport data. There are bigger issues than someone evading their fare if they manage to get one.

 

[najaB]

If the rpi suspects the zip is being misused /fake log the number and check its legitimacy with tfl.

Or, alternatively, ask if the passenger has proof that they are eligible to use the Zip pass and sort it all out there and then in three minutes.

 

[MikeWh]

The RPI felt that I was too old to be using the ZipCard , as a result of the suit

Out of interest, does the photo on the zip card still look like you?

 

[matt_world2004]

Or, alternatively, ask if the passenger has proof that they are eligible to use the Zip pass and sort it all out there and then in three minutes.

What if they dont because they dont bring their school books to work experiance.

 

[hassaanhc]

Some Sixth Forms (like my old one, in West London) have a full suit as a uniform. Any 16 and 17 year old can apply for a 16+ Zip Oyster (quote from TfL website below), and age is checked at time of application, as well as a photo being required. There are no time restrictions on when it can be used.

https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/travel-for-under-18s/zip-oyster-photocards#on-this-page-2

Young people aged 16 and 17 need a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard to:

Buy child-rate 7 Day, Monthly or longer period Travelcard and Bus & Tram Passes
Pay as you go at half adult rate on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail and most National Rail services in London
Children aged 16 or 17 on 31 August who live in a London borough can also travel free on buses and trams.

Londoners aged 18 on 31 August who are still in full time education can also apply for a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard that allows free bus and tram travel.

If your child is now 16 but was aged 15 on 31 August then they can still apply for an 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard.

 

[100andthirty]

Do zip passes have a photograph and an expiry date? If they have both then surely no further check is needed

 

[najaB]

Do zip passes have a photograph and an expiry date? If they have both then surely no further check is needed

Only if the photo is still representative.

 

[Mag_seven]

If the OP had an in date photo card and the photo looks like him then all well and good - all this wibble about height and what clothes he was wearing is irrelevant. The RPI was bang out of order in my view - a complaint should go in.

 

[sk688]

Out of interest, does the photo on the zip card still look like you?

Yes , it is a photo from Sep 2016 , so it is still decently accurate

 

[RJ]

Zip Card expiry dates don't always tally with the holder's eligibility. When I was in college, I had a friend whose 11-15 Zip card expired after her 19th birthday.

 

[sk688]

Zip Card expiry dates don't always tally with the holder's eligibility. When I was in college, I had a friend whose 11-15 Zip card expired after her 19th birthday.

How does that work ? just out of intrest

I thought they expire at the start of Year 12 , at least mine , and most of our years' Zip Cards do , on 30/9/17

 

[SA_900]

The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 5 characters.

 

[najaB]

Heavy handed is a perfect way to describe this behaviour. Given 1. the picture matches and 2. the expiry date is not in question there are no further grounds for questioning.

OP- next time tell them to get lost and file a complaint.

Bearing in mind, of course, that 'the picture matches' is by definition a subjective measure. I'm sure many (if not all) of us have come across people who look nothing like their ID/driving licence/passport photo, even when it's recently taken.

 

[sk688]

Heavy handed is a perfect way to describe this behaviour. Given 1. the picture matches and 2. the expiry date is not in question there are no further grounds for questioning.

OP- next time tell them to get lost and file a complaint.

If it happens next time , Ill certainly consider that , but dont you get in trouble for doing that

 

[Bletchleyite]

If it happens next time , Ill certainly consider that , but dont you get in trouble for doing that

I wouldn't recommend telling them to get lost, but after the event (when you've calmed down, so it's objective) a formal complaint is a good idea.

 

[Haywain]

I wouldn't recommend telling them to get lost, but after the event (when you've calmed down, so it's objective) a formal complaint is a good idea.

Indeed. Polite cooperation will likely get you away quicker than being obnoxious.

 

[bb21]

Indeed. Polite cooperation will likely get you away quicker than being obnoxious.

But it would seem that some on this forum consider this a good way forward. Telling the member of staff to get lost will almost certainly make the OP the centre of attention, and not in a good way. Irresponsible advice is understating it, especially considering that this advice is being offered to someone still quite young.

I would second the suggestion to politely cooperate and submit a complaint in afterwards if deemed necessary, together with name and a description of appearance if possible.

 

[Bletchleyite]

And equally don't get fixated on demanding names. The description should be enough. Some staff get very touchy if you try to find out who they are, particularly if they know a valid complaint is to be made.

 

[DarloRich]

There is a flaw in the system though - the Marston Vale line. We have no ticket machines ( thus no pf) and guards often unable to sell. I have been pulled up many a time at Euston for no ticket and had to argue my way out of things

 

[sk688]

Thanks to all for the helpful advice , and will take it forward if this ocurrs again

 

[PeterC]

But it is reasonable for them to want additional proof of validity when an age-restricted ticket is presented by someone who appears, on first impression, to be too old/young to use that ticket.

Surely that is the point of having the user's photo incorporated into the card?

Somehow I don't think that the same approach would be taken with a youthful looking 60 year old with a 60+ card

 

[najaB]

Surely that is the point of having the user's photo incorporated into the card?

As noted above, some people bear only a passing resemblance to their ID photo.

Somehow I don't think that the same approach would be taken with a youthful looking 60 year old with a 60+ card

If only because they are slightly less likely to be abused than Zip cards.