Having been following this thread, I find it difficult to believe that any TOC would reject Disabled Railcard tickets by default. Whilst I am not an expert, it would appear that doing so would be a blatant case of discrimination against those railcard holders and would be a failure to understand that a large proportion of those people are able to go about their daily lives, including travel, without requiring any sort of assistance.
i do think this is one of the most bizarre threads i’ve ever read, based on speculation and anecdotal information... a referral has been made to EHRC?? unless i've missed something there has been no comment from chiltern on this, so who has made enquires on it and what have they heard back.
unless chiltern have said that they are doing it so that 'customers can be offered help and support' then i don't see why it's become assumed that's what has happened.
what i will say is, lots of stations will block child tickets as part of revenue blocks, how does this not violate Equality Act? i don't see this being referred to the EHRC under the protected characteristic of age. if a toc has a suspicion that a railcard, pass, or fare category is being misused, then why is it not within its right as a private business to ask to see proof of entitlement to a discounted fare?
again, revenue protection is intelligence lead. if a station has a problem with gold cards being applied, 16-17 savers and jcp's, (which generally are the most abused), then they are welcome to block and manually verify them.
if it
is to ask customers with disabled railcards if they need assistance, then that's a different conversation. and i can see both sides. disabled people can be some of our most vulnerable on the railway, i.e. at the PTI, etc., and as most railway EDI training i have had has said, if you're not sure if someone needs assistance for whatever reason, speak to them, say hello, and ask them if they need it, the worst they can say is no. as others have said, it is not looking down on disabled people, and it is not an assumption that these customers can't ask for help, but generally i will offer my help to anyone who looks confused about where there going, anyone who looks to be struggling with their luggage, any children traveling alone at irregular times, anyone who appears to be having difficulty moving because at the end of the day these people *are* vulnerable on the railway, we are trained to look out for them, and if we can help their safety whilst they are travelling, then that's great. whether a binary 'disabled railcard', let's assume is taking place, then i see the grounds for the issue – but there's only speculation on this in chiltern's case.
I do agree.
It can be downright dangerous to have gatelines randomly reject tickets in busy peak periods, and have to fight along to the edge of the scrum to get help; something I experience far too regularly.
Whilst I can see the good intent, it is inappropriate at best to blanket reject tickets held by people with a protected characteristic.
i think unless there is a serious issue of overcrowding, then to blanket it as 'dangerous' is unfair. you mightn't like it, but that is separate.
at the minute, most toc's are trying to return a profit back to shareholders/dft, and the figure banded about is £240 million a year in lost revenue on the national rail network (which is probably a low estimate). if you are using a discounted ticket, the toc's are entitled to see your entitlement to that. if you go to tesco and expect the discounted price for your shopping but you don't have a club card, you can't just go 'oh yea but i wanna pay the lower price and not give you my data' (data in the case of a clubcards, price of a railcard in case of the railway) because that's not how it works.
revenue work is only done when it's safe, and when it's deemed to be dangerous station staff (who overrule can and will) stop or pause a revenue op on the grounds of safety if there is congestion).
To whom? Railway staff? To whom I have to show my Railcard anyway?
Not remotely similar, mostly because the barrier isn’t bellowing “DISABLED CUSTOMER” when rejecting the ticket.
i agree with the sentiment of this, having to show a ticket on demand, and then being annoyed when that is demanded is not fair. revenue inspectors generally will ask for a railcard, as it forms part of having a valid ticket, and is in your terms of condition of travel, and having the railcard. if an authorised person wants to inspect your tickets then fair enough to them.
having first hand experience seen the childish fits thrown when people are asked to show their photocards on LU and TfL stations, as i have heard said and happily advise '
having a discounted/free ticket is a privilege not a right. comply with staff asking you to present it or that privilege will be taken away'.
I do feel this entire thing has been blown out of proportion based on the anecdote only of OP, and i think it should be put to chiltern and asked if this is actually an issue, to check the SCU's at the station(s) where this has happened. referring to the official body for this is ridiculous having given chiltern have had no right of reply. there may have been a block there where all railcards have been blocked and one has not been taken off by mistake, but i would have thought station staff would have rectified this if it were happening as chiltern gateline staff have no revenue powers unlike some other toc's, and why would they want to keep doing extra work if they'd noticed it was happening with every ticket?
apologies for the rant, but i think this is massively out of proportion and is just wild speculation and conjecture.
