How come they've suddenly started popping up? I've taken Chiltern down the entire mainline for years and I've never seen an inspector, except occasionally at the beginning of the train journey in London Marylebone (which makes no sense to me, because Marylebone has barriers anyway). However I've now started seeing them semi-regularly between Moor Street and Solihull. Is this a new thing or have I just coincidentally been getting on unexpected (edit: uninspected!) trains in the past?
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Chiltern Inspectors
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Tazi Hupefi
Established Member
Because that line is riddled with actual fraud, never mind the routine, casual fare evasion. Amazing how many people buy Wembley tickets thinking nobody has ever thought of that dodge before.
Chiltern use a contractor called Transport Investigations Limited who are essentially paid by results - more they catch, more they make - so win/win.
Department for Transport has realised that revenue protection has been sorely overlooked over the last few years, especially in and around London - and they're finally investing (or allowing TOCs to invest) in actual resources. You'd be amazed how many resources for this are behind the scenes, leveraging and investigating data, generating intelligence etc.
Within the West Midlands, there is also additional funding/motivation for revenue protection exercises coming from the West Midlands Grand Railway Collaboration - some of their directors have been attending the revenue blocks.
Chiltern use a contractor called Transport Investigations Limited who are essentially paid by results - more they catch, more they make - so win/win.
Department for Transport has realised that revenue protection has been sorely overlooked over the last few years, especially in and around London - and they're finally investing (or allowing TOCs to invest) in actual resources. You'd be amazed how many resources for this are behind the scenes, leveraging and investigating data, generating intelligence etc.
Within the West Midlands, there is also additional funding/motivation for revenue protection exercises coming from the West Midlands Grand Railway Collaboration - some of their directors have been attending the revenue blocks.
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Isn't the majority of Chiltern driver only operation?
Kite159
Veteran Member
DOO to the South of Banbury
Guard to the north of Banbury
Loco hauled is guarded throughout.
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I suspect Chiltern have taken more of an interest with revenue protection to ensure they meet a KPI to gain a bonus. I suspect there will be a few passengers whom think payment is optional, especially from Warwick (no barriers) who will aim for the front unit as generally the guard will be in the rear unit if it's a pair of 168s. Then bypassing the barriers at Birmingham with a ticket from Small Heath etc
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BanburyBlue
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I commute 3 days a week from Banbury to Birmingham on Chiltern.
I noticed a step change on Chiltern this year with regard to ticket checks - all changed in the new year. So at Banbury, barriers are in operation more often than not now. In the evenings, I can count on one hand how many times the barriers have not been in operation, quite often with a burly security person in attendance. On the trains, much more ticket checking. It felt like there used to be a rule of thumb - if the barriers were open at Banbury there would be a ticket check on the train in the morning, if the barriers were in operation normally no check on the train (I guess the train manager gets on and off at Banbury). Now there are ticket checks on the train in the morning more often than not (by the train managers). It was extremely rare for there to be any checks on my home from Birmingham, now it is a regular occurrence. And indeed, do sometimes see RPO on trains as well.
I've no idea what it's like going south towards London.
I noticed a step change on Chiltern this year with regard to ticket checks - all changed in the new year. So at Banbury, barriers are in operation more often than not now. In the evenings, I can count on one hand how many times the barriers have not been in operation, quite often with a burly security person in attendance. On the trains, much more ticket checking. It felt like there used to be a rule of thumb - if the barriers were open at Banbury there would be a ticket check on the train in the morning, if the barriers were in operation normally no check on the train (I guess the train manager gets on and off at Banbury). Now there are ticket checks on the train in the morning more often than not (by the train managers). It was extremely rare for there to be any checks on my home from Birmingham, now it is a regular occurrence. And indeed, do sometimes see RPO on trains as well.
I've no idea what it's like going south towards London.
LittleRedTrain
Member
I travel occasionally from Banbury to London in the peaks (usually aiming for a Mk3 set) and despite having a guard onboard, I probably only get my ticket checked about 1 in 3 journeys. No check in either direction yesterday.
I have never had my ticket checked on a 165/168 operated DOO service between Banbury and London in the 6 years I've been using the route.
Judging by the threads in the Disputes forum, I'm guessing the roving RPIs tend to get better returns on the suburban services and Chiltern rely on the barriers at Marylebone and Banbury for long distance.
My experience of the Banbury barriers being closed more often now definitely tallies though, would be interesting to know if ticket sales from Banbury to Kings Sutton have increased as a result!
I have never had my ticket checked on a 165/168 operated DOO service between Banbury and London in the 6 years I've been using the route.
Judging by the threads in the Disputes forum, I'm guessing the roving RPIs tend to get better returns on the suburban services and Chiltern rely on the barriers at Marylebone and Banbury for long distance.
My experience of the Banbury barriers being closed more often now definitely tallies though, would be interesting to know if ticket sales from Banbury to Kings Sutton have increased as a result!
Kite159
Veteran Member
I've noticed the barriers at Moor Street tend to be in operation a lot longer than previously (although they still have a bad habit of manning the main gateline near the terminal platforms & P2 where the gateline giving direct access to P1 is wide open).
@LittleRedTrain I would imagine sales to/from Kings Sutton would have increased as that is quite a bit cheaper than to/from Leamington, only way to see will be when the usage data gets released around December to compare (although the barriers in use more often won't reflect on those stats until 2025)
@LittleRedTrain I would imagine sales to/from Kings Sutton would have increased as that is quite a bit cheaper than to/from Leamington, only way to see will be when the usage data gets released around December to compare (although the barriers in use more often won't reflect on those stats until 2025)
BanburyBlue
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Had a Chiltern hit squad on my train from Birmingham tonight. Eight RPOs got on at Moor Street, two stayed in each carriage. Did a full check as soon as we left Moor Street, and clocked everyone getting on at every station, and checked tickets. They were still all onboard at Banbury. First time I’ve ever seen this.
I had a few ticket checks close together on via Amersham services by the same RPI last year. One very early morning I'd forgotten to buy my ticket and he sold me it instead of a penalty fare which was very kind of him! But nothing since.
This line is actually quite tricky to evade your fare as Aylesbury, the Met line stops and Marylebone barriers are robustly in operation in my experience which means most passengers pass through at least one set
This line is actually quite tricky to evade your fare as Aylesbury, the Met line stops and Marylebone barriers are robustly in operation in my experience which means most passengers pass through at least one set
not just them. I travel all over the UK and nearly every train that is not packed now has someone checking tickets. I work all over the UK and in the last 4 weeks I have used the trains every day. Long and short distance. I think a report came down on just how many fair dodgers there were, it was a lot and we know the train companies tried to get a bail out awhile ago. Guv went "crack down on fair dodgers"
Seems to be an increase in on board checks on SWR too. I've had my ticket checked on every journey made into London, the last month, or so.
Previously, hardly ever!
Tazi Hupefi
Established Member
DfT TOC contracts currently contain targets and incentives/penalties relating to revenue protection (after they finally woke up to how much was being lost).
In addition, third party funding is trickling through from new sources, e.g. mayoral authorities, PTEs etc, because they appreciate that fare evaders are generally responsible for other wider issues that have safety/security implications and put genuine customers at risk/make their journeys uncomfortable and less attractive - so tackling these people has economic and societal benefits to the local regions. It's also good PR/media (especially newly elected politicians) to be shown to be cracking down on those abusing the system.
There are going to be some special multi-agency exercises over the summer, across the country, and not just with a focus on revenue protection.
In addition, third party funding is trickling through from new sources, e.g. mayoral authorities, PTEs etc, because they appreciate that fare evaders are generally responsible for other wider issues that have safety/security implications and put genuine customers at risk/make their journeys uncomfortable and less attractive - so tackling these people has economic and societal benefits to the local regions. It's also good PR/media (especially newly elected politicians) to be shown to be cracking down on those abusing the system.
There are going to be some special multi-agency exercises over the summer, across the country, and not just with a focus on revenue protection.
didcotdean
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On a train starting from Oxford last week it was announced before leaving there would be a complete onboard ticket & Railcard inspection prior to reaching the first stop (Reading).
That would be either Cross Country or GWR though - this thread is about Chiltern.
didcotdean
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Yes indeed but it seems to have already widened out above by mention of & comparison with increased inspections on other TOCs.
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