Worst Rail Routes for fare collection in members' experience?

[markymark2000]

Wow... it wasn't that bad when I was staying around Cardiff last summer. They did have actual security on-board, which was a surprise to me, but I guess that explains it.

As I say, it's mostly north of Pontypridd after 7.30 so if you're staying closer to Cardiff, you won't really see it.

 

[william.martin]

As mentioned in post #1, as a local Shrewsbury's gates are usual open from after 10PM until closing time. Both the TFW and WMR services between Shrewsbury and Birmingham don't get any ticket checks particularly imbetween Wolverhampton and Birmingham (though the once I did and the 2 teenagers in the seats Infront got the penalty fare as they didn't pay because they expected no ticket inspection.)
Also if you hop on the front carriage of any Cambrian services between Porthmadog and Tywyn you are fine because by the time the conductor has made it to the inter-carriage gangway he has to go back to the rear of the train for the local door.

 

[Hadders]

As mentioned in post #1, as a local Shrewsbury's gates are usual open from after 10PM until closing time. Both the TFW and WMR services between Shrewsbury and Birmingham don't get any ticket checks particularly imbetween Wolverhampton and Birmingham (though the once I did and the 2 teenagers in the seats Infront got the penalty fare as they didn't pay because they expected no ticket inspection.)
Also if you hop on the front carriage of any Cambrian services between Porthmadog and Tywyn you are fine because by the time the conductor has made it to the inter-carriage gangway he has to go back to the rear of the train for the local door.

Just to follow-up that the historical BR-era ticketing system that is widely still in use today is designed to maxinise revenue.

First thing to remember is that Off Peak Day Returns normally cost 10p more than a single.

Then on a normal day return there are six opportunities to check a ticket:

- At the origin station before the outward journey starts
- On the train during the outward journey
- At the destination station at the completion of the outward journey
- At the destination before the return journey starts
- On the train during the return journey
- At the origin station at the completion of the return journey

As long as one of these six checks takes place then the railway will basically collect its revenue.

 

[Nova1]

Then on a normal day return there are six opportunities to check a ticket:

- At the origin station before the outward journey starts
- On the train during the outward journey
- At the destination station at the completion of the outward journey
- At the destination before the return journey starts
- On the train during the return journey
- At the origin station at the completion of the return journey

As long as one of these six checks takes place then the railway will basically collect its revenue.

I used to travel regularly between Henley-In-Arden and Stratford-Upon-Avon on the snow hill lines with West Midlands Railway and it was very rare that I would get my ticket checked. If it was checked, it would only ever be on the late evening services, never on the busier services. I was only asked to show my railcard once on the train in 5 months, and when I switched to a season ticket on a smartcard, most guards woulden't bother to actually check the ticket, just see the smartcard and say that's alright.

I know there's a lot of ticketless travel from college/school kids on this line, always made me a bit mad really when I'd paid and I heard people talking about how they hadn't.

A couple of times there was a revenue block at Stratford-Upon-Avon in the mornings and I imagine these were actually quite effective, always used to hear a lot of people panicking (and these inspectors were actually checking railcards etc properly).

 

[Krokodil]

As mentioned in post #1, as a local Shrewsbury's gates are usual open from after 10PM until closing time.

As late as that? Chester barriers are open from 1900ish which is far too early. Even earlier on weekends which is incredible given how many people arrive for a night out after this time. Come to that they only start at 0700 which is right after one of the busiest commuter trains to Manchester departs.

Also if you hop on the front carriage of any Cambrian services between Porthmadog and Tywyn you are fine because by the time the conductor has made it to the inter-carriage gangway he has to go back to the rear of the train for the local door.

It's been a few years since I travelled on the Cambrian but why does the guard have to go back to the rear? 158s have door controls at every door and TfW (unlike Northern) permit operation from any platformed door.

None of these routes come close to the South Wales Valleys though. Drivers used to know the line to Aberdare as the "Khyber Pass".

 

[ricoblade]

In the late 80s/early 90s I had a girlfriend whose parents lived in Thorpe Bay. That whole line into Southend Central was a freebie for nights out and back.

 

[dangie]

Once/month me & three friends travel from Rugeley Trent Valley to Stafford** on London North Western. It’s only a 10 minute journey. We always buy a Group Save return ticket. On both outward & return we have never had our ticket inspected. This is a journey many people take. I’m guessing many don’t buy tickets.

** Excellent Pub in Stafford. The Sun Inn, Titanic Brewery.

 

[TrainTrackJack]

Also if you hop on the front carriage of any Cambrian services between Porthmadog and Tywyn you are fine because by the time the conductor has made it to the inter-carriage gangway he has to go back to the rear of the train for the local door.

That's incorrect. The conductors will endeavour to reach all those who have boarded at each stop not just for revenue purposes, but because of the high frequency of request stops and needing to know if the train needs to stop and where. You'd be amazed at the speed they work at, hats off for keeping it as it should be.

 

[InkyScrolls]

That's incorrect. The conductors will endeavour to reach all those who have boarded at each stop not just for revenue purposes, but because of the high frequency of request stops and needing to know if the train needs to stop and where. You'd be amazed at the speed they work at, hats off for keeping it as it should be.

I was very impressed with the professionalism and alacrity with which the Cambrian Line conductors worked the last time I was there.

In my own experience, Morecambe to Lancaster is very much a 'pay when challenged' route - it's short, taking just eleven minutes, and for the most part operates as a shuttle, with consequent frequent end-changing for the crew; I suspect I am one of few who attempts to reach every passenger and ensure they pay for their (admittedly usually very short!) journey.

 

[william.martin]

That's incorrect. The conductors will endeavour to reach all those who have boarded at each stop not just for revenue purposes, but because of the high frequency of request stops and needing to know if the train needs to stop and where. You'd be amazed at the speed they work at, hats off for keeping it as it should be.

Yes, however on the (short) section of line I used between Dyfryyn Ardudwy and Barmouth you could get on at the opposite end of the train to the conductor either intentionally or unintentionally and end up never seeing the conductor.
This is because on the 1052/1212 service from Dyfryyn (can't remember if it's still the same times) there is a lot of holiday makers coming from the various holiday parks travelling to Barmouth for a day at the sea side so the conductor has a lot of people whom's tickets need inspecting.
Though I must agree with everyone who has stated their efficiency, if you are traveling more than the 5-10 min ride, you are 100% bound to come across a ticket inspector.