Was surprised a few days ago at the extent of the "Charity" collectors inside Kings Cross. Given recent press stories, a surprisingly small percentage of their collections actually gets used fro charitable purposes.
One group had formed round the Virgin EC TVMs in the new west side concourse. They wore uniform jackets an identical red to the Virgin livery on the TVMs, which appeared no coincidence, and engaged in conversation those collecting tickets, as if they were Virgin staff. It only became apparent they weren't after several sentences, just as travellers have their wallets out putting their tickets away.
Then another group from a second organisation, bright yellow uniform this time, suddenly appeared at the gateline with cash collection buckets just as the inward flow from a train began to come through en masse, with their wallets out to put their seasons and tickets away after passing through the gates.
Given the extent to which "spotters" regularly recount being seen off the premises, sometimes on the basis of "it's too busy for you", this seems to be some organised and authorised affair. Does the station operator get a percentage of collections?
One group had formed round the Virgin EC TVMs in the new west side concourse. They wore uniform jackets an identical red to the Virgin livery on the TVMs, which appeared no coincidence, and engaged in conversation those collecting tickets, as if they were Virgin staff. It only became apparent they weren't after several sentences, just as travellers have their wallets out putting their tickets away.
Then another group from a second organisation, bright yellow uniform this time, suddenly appeared at the gateline with cash collection buckets just as the inward flow from a train began to come through en masse, with their wallets out to put their seasons and tickets away after passing through the gates.
Given the extent to which "spotters" regularly recount being seen off the premises, sometimes on the basis of "it's too busy for you", this seems to be some organised and authorised affair. Does the station operator get a percentage of collections?
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