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TFL Rail RPIs walk through the train checking tickets on the free T123 to T4 shuttle train service.

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station

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I was on the Heathrow T123 to Heathrow T4 shuttle service yesterday (going in the Southbound direction from T123 to T4) and there was a group of four RPIs in TFL Rail uniform that were walking through the train and checking everyone's train tickets between T123 and T4 where it is free of charge! I was certainly very surprised to see this happen!

This wasn't even the Heathrow Connect (or whatever it is called these days) service which originates from London Paddington. This was just the one stop shuttle which started it's journey at T123 and terminated at T4 a few minutes later. What is the point of this? Are they basically just checking that everyone (except those who were changing from a train that came from London Paddington) had taken a free blue train ticket from the free ticket machine?

Just out of interest what would have they done if there was a passenger on this free service who didn't have a free blue train ticket? Could they legally give them a Penalty Fare on a free train service?

Isn't this just a massive waste of money and resources for RPIs to be checking tickets on a free train service? Does anyone know the reason for this ticket check? Is it very normal for this to happen now? What are your thoughts on this?
 
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trainriders

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I have just seen this forum and read this thread and thought i would mention that i have also noticed this as well. I use this shuttle every day for work and i have noticed them checking tickets on it on four separate occasions in the past few weeks. It seems very odd. It would be interesting to know the reasons for doing this.
 
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robbeech

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If the regulations state you must have a ticket (even if the journey is free) I see no reason why they wouldn’t be able to dish out a penalty fare or other such charge for doing so.
Maybe it’s profitable for them.
 
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Surreytraveller

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robbeech said:
If the regulations state you must have a ticket (even if the journey is free) I see no reason why they wouldn’t be able to dish out a penalty fare or other such charge for doing so.
Maybe it’s profitable for them.
Click to expand...
A Penalty Fare of twice the standard single
 
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Alfonso

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station said:
I was on the Heathrow T123 to Heathrow T4 shuttle service yesterday (going in the Southbound direction from T123 to T4) and there was a group of four RPIs in TFL Rail uniform that were walking through the train and checking everyone's train tickets between T123 and T4 where it is free of charge! I was certainly very surprised to see this happen!

This wasn't even the Heathrow Connect (or whatever it is called these days) service which originates from London Paddington. This was just the one stop shuttle which started it's journey at T123 and terminated at T4 a few minutes later. What is the point of this? Are they basically just checking that everyone (except those who were changing from a train that came from London Paddington) had taken a free blue train ticket from the free ticket machine?

Just out of interest what would have they done if there was a passenger on this free service who didn't have a free blue train ticket? Could they legally give them a Penalty Fare on a free train service?

Isn't this just a massive waste of money and resources for RPIs to be checking tickets on a free train service? Does anyone know the reason for this ticket check? Is it very normal for this to happen now? What are your thoughts on this?
Click to expand...
There are many reasons beyond plain vanilla ticket checks why a group of railway officials may have been on a train that shuttles about under one of the UKs most critical bits of infrastructure. My guess is that we don't know exactly why they were doing it, but it's likely to be in people's best interests that they were.
 
jumble

jumble

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Alfonso said:
There are many reasons beyond plain vanilla ticket checks why a group of railway officials may have been on a train that shuttles about under one of the UKs most critical bits of infrastructure. My guess is that we don't know exactly why they were doing it, but it's likely to be in people's best interests that they were.
Click to expand...
Exactly
If you knew anyone working for the police in London you would realise that there is a significant number of undercover cops around
I am only saying what if but What better disguise and legitimate reason to be talking to people
 
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route101

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Western Sunset said:
If you have a zone 1-6 Travelcard, do you still need a "ticket" to use the free shuttle to T4?
Click to expand...

Well last Sunday i had a travelcard and used the train between T2 AND 3 to T5 . Noticed a few people never had the free tickets (is this a new thing ? and asked to get through the barrier.
 
185143

185143

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If you have a travelcard already, do you need to get a free ticket?
 
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EssexGonzo

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transmanche said:
My guess is that they are aiming to find a ticketless traveller who admits to travelling from further afield.
Click to expand...

I would have thought exactly that. Someone with no ticket who doesn't look like they're a transferring air passenger or member of staff.
 
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