Failed Unit
Established Member
Firstly apologies if this is the wrong part of the forum, wasn't sure if it should go here, general discussion or else where.
I read may disputes about Carnets, people accused of changing the date the most common. The TOCs claim that these are the most fraudlently used tickets on the network. To be honest I am not surprised. On the Great Northern route, many of the stations are not staffed, even ones that are such as Welwyn Garden City open all the gates in the evening peak to ensure safety on the platform. (They can't cope with the volume of people trying us use such a small exit). At the city end of the line many stations it is possible to exit without interaction with gatelines - ie changing onto the underground. So the heavy handed approach they are taking at Kings Cross is not going to stop the fraudster but his disproportionately hitting the honest passenger.
The solution is simple, but I am not sure why no TOCs use it. The smart card. Which on Great Northern is only any use for season tickets (as was the case in Scotrail - but this was a while ago). If they put the Carnet on the key then mistakes about dates and using the tickets twice are gone. Tap in and the tickets is validated and can't be used again. Simple.
Does anyone know if TOCs are that bothered about fraud why they choose not to make this technology work? Is it because they prefer the revenue from PF and prosecutions and by doing this will actually result in a drop in thier revenue?
From the passenger point of view I would love it. The tickets are hard to write on, I don't want 20 pieces of card. I don't like the TOCs guilty until proven inocent approach to all customer using them. I would rather not be fafing around dating tickets when I could just walk in, tap in, tap out and be on my way. Surely this is a win - win?
/RANT
I read may disputes about Carnets, people accused of changing the date the most common. The TOCs claim that these are the most fraudlently used tickets on the network. To be honest I am not surprised. On the Great Northern route, many of the stations are not staffed, even ones that are such as Welwyn Garden City open all the gates in the evening peak to ensure safety on the platform. (They can't cope with the volume of people trying us use such a small exit). At the city end of the line many stations it is possible to exit without interaction with gatelines - ie changing onto the underground. So the heavy handed approach they are taking at Kings Cross is not going to stop the fraudster but his disproportionately hitting the honest passenger.
The solution is simple, but I am not sure why no TOCs use it. The smart card. Which on Great Northern is only any use for season tickets (as was the case in Scotrail - but this was a while ago). If they put the Carnet on the key then mistakes about dates and using the tickets twice are gone. Tap in and the tickets is validated and can't be used again. Simple.
Does anyone know if TOCs are that bothered about fraud why they choose not to make this technology work? Is it because they prefer the revenue from PF and prosecutions and by doing this will actually result in a drop in thier revenue?
From the passenger point of view I would love it. The tickets are hard to write on, I don't want 20 pieces of card. I don't like the TOCs guilty until proven inocent approach to all customer using them. I would rather not be fafing around dating tickets when I could just walk in, tap in, tap out and be on my way. Surely this is a win - win?
/RANT