No, I suspect many people wouldn't think of visiting the travel centre on arrival at Piccadilly, people make mistakes in a hurry and do need reminding. Plus, what if you are using the metrolink and don't pass it e.t.c. e.t.c. The whole system seems flawed....
The system does tend to rely on honour and trust and that appears to be something the world is short on right now, Perhaps automatic gates at every platform entrance/exit (with staff) is the way forward?
....Having a simple sign might just make a few people think and pay, increasing revenue! Isn't that what Northern wants? This isn't necessarily about doing the honorable thing, this is about efficient revenue collection. Then people are kept well informed and there can be no argument if someone doesn't visit the office upon arrival. They know what to do and if they fail to do so, then Northern can establish intent to avoid paying the fare with a more firm grounding of the claim....
What Northern want is maximum income with minimal outgoings, just like every other business, but a sign reminding people they might not have paid but should do is hardly going to stop people taking one look at the ticket office queue and heading straight for the exit, regardless of how quickly the line is moving, infact they might not even bother looking at the queue!
....It's not like Leeds where it's clear-cut if you're avoiding the fare or not. I have no problem with G4S collecting fares on arrival (well, the queues need sorting but oh well), but I think expecting people to do the "honourable thing" and detour and then queue at the travel centre is not going to occur to every passenger. Remind people with a simple A2 sized poster and there can't be a grey area over the issue....
Leeds is gated isn't it? Anyway, most people who haven't paid are probably thinking "oh great I haven't paid" before walking out of the station. I suspect very few would consider looking at the office, even if there were signs present.
....The vast majority of people know that is illegal, but does the vast majority know that you must pay once you have completed your journey? Put yourself in the shoes of the unknowledgeable traveller, a simple sign is just a way of reminding people. On a pay on foot car park you have signs saying "people pay before you leave", it might seem stupid and obvious to most people, but for some it switches off "auto-pilot" and makes them do whatever is required.
I thought your car could be clamped for not displaying a parking ticket? (and you would be charged to get the clamp removed) Perhaps times have changed since I was last in a Pay & Display, although not having a driving license I don't often go in them.
I have travelled many times on Metrolink and I have to pay full fare for that. Does the fact, that in the six years I have lived in Manchester I have only been asked once to show a ticket by Metrolink staff, encourage me to travel without a ticket? Or is that an excuse for ticketless travel? Would I then be 'trapped' by the Metrolink Mafia?
The distinction between the latter two came in when people started blocking up the exit lanes by paying £5 in 5p pieces.
