The mods having closed the original thread, can I develop my views on G4S as ticket checkers on Northern Rail?
It is clearly within their power to ask to see tickets - but surely only if they can demonstrate that they have that status.
My views are coloured by experience at two stations:
WILMSLOW. I come bowling down the ramp on my way to a meeting. At the station entrance stands a large bloke in a bomber jacket (from memory no G4S logo, and certainly no railway identity). As I'm passing he suddenly asks for my ticket. I ask him for his authority to ask for it. He shows me his identity card. I show him my ticket. Fair enough.
M/CR PICC. The ATW train from Cardiff and points west pulls in, tickets having been checked several times en route. Passengers get off, a typical mix of family parties with children, grannies with suitcases etc etc. Having shown their tickets already most are unprepared for the gaggle of staff waiting at the platform end, so delay as they hunt through their bags for said documents.
Meanwhile, the scrotes who have got on at Stockport hoping for a free journey double-back up the platform, over the footbridge, and exit via an unguarded platform. I can see it happening, but the G4S staff are too busy bothering ordinary passengers to notice.
It just doesn't seem sensible!
It is clearly within their power to ask to see tickets - but surely only if they can demonstrate that they have that status.
My views are coloured by experience at two stations:
WILMSLOW. I come bowling down the ramp on my way to a meeting. At the station entrance stands a large bloke in a bomber jacket (from memory no G4S logo, and certainly no railway identity). As I'm passing he suddenly asks for my ticket. I ask him for his authority to ask for it. He shows me his identity card. I show him my ticket. Fair enough.
M/CR PICC. The ATW train from Cardiff and points west pulls in, tickets having been checked several times en route. Passengers get off, a typical mix of family parties with children, grannies with suitcases etc etc. Having shown their tickets already most are unprepared for the gaggle of staff waiting at the platform end, so delay as they hunt through their bags for said documents.
Meanwhile, the scrotes who have got on at Stockport hoping for a free journey double-back up the platform, over the footbridge, and exit via an unguarded platform. I can see it happening, but the G4S staff are too busy bothering ordinary passengers to notice.
It just doesn't seem sensible!