What happens if a passenger has no ticket and requires a taxi?

[GadgetMan]

A passenger gets to a station and doesn't have time to purchase a ticket so they get straight on the train as its the last one of the night. A working TVM was available accepting cash and cards.

The guard doesn't come through the train straight away as the next stop is only a couple of minutes away.

Train stops at the next stop and a announcement is made that due to (add any reason you want), the train will terminate and onward road transport will be provided. This station is in the middle of nowhere and the only obvious route out would be to order a taxi.

Guard then comes through and counts 5 people on board. 4 with tickets and that last one who got on without.

A standard taxi would carry 4 passengers, would the TOC be within their rights to tell the Fifth passenger to do one and sort themselves out as no contract is in place? The passenger had walked by an opportunity to purchase a ticket when they boarded. Why should the TOC cater for the fifth passenger.

 

[Urban Gateline]

Someone who had the opportunity to purchase a ticket before travelling but was so disorganised that they then didn't have time and just jumped on, they shouldn't then be conveyed further for free by taxi, bearing in mind they had time to find the Guard and buy a ticket when they got on.

Although I think it would lead to bad PR for the TOC concerned if a person was left stranded like that, the obvious solution would be the Guard just selling the person a ticket and they get conveyed in that taxi too!

 

[34D]

Guard then comes through and counts 5 people on board. 4 with tickets and that last one who got on without.

A standard taxi would carry 4 passengers, would the TOC be within their rights to tell the Fifth passenger to do one and sort themselves out as no contract is in place? The passenger had walked by an opportunity to purchase a ticket when they boarded. Why should the TOC cater for the fifth passenger.

He could go in the taxi that the driver and conductor go in. If the jobs stopped their hours are likely to be up soon (last train of the night and all) and so another driver will be sent to crew the ECS unit.

 

[Stigy]

If the person doesn't have a ticket, then no, they don't need to be carried any further and the TOC is quite within their right to tell them to walk. This is irrespective of the train terminating short etc. Exceptions are minors (those under 16-years of age) and other vulnerable people such as those with learning difficulties etc whereby the TOC might have a duty of care over them (even the 15-year old scroat unfortnately).

 

[JoeGJ1984]

If the person doesn't have a ticket, then no, they don't need to be carried any further and the TOC is quite within their right to tell them to walk. This is irrespective of the train terminating short etc. Exceptions are minors (those under 16-years of age) and other vulnerable people such as those with learning difficulties etc whereby the TOC might have a duty of care over them (even the 15-year old scroat unfortnately).

What if, alternatively, they have had no opportunity to buy a ticket because they started at a station with no facilities? What if there is no room for them in a taxi?

 

[GadgetMan]

What if, alternatively, they have had no opportunity to buy a ticket because they started at a station with no facilities? What if there is no room for them in a taxi?

Then it is no fault of the passenger. Guard should sell them an appropriate ticket and the TOC will have to take on the extra expense of transporting that passenger.

 

[tony_mac]

If the rail company refuses to sell a ticket, I don't see that they have much option other than to at least return the passenger to their origin station.

But, I think any 'real' answer would be complicated, unless it has happened before.