Great Western Coffee Shop

It is very rarely I get my ticket checked on the first stage of my commute from thatcham to Reigate but it did happen this morning. Some of the regular pax were surprised they were expected to buy a ticket and some of those didn't realise the fares had gone up.

Chatting to the RPI person doing the checks I told him how welcome it was and he advised me that FGW were bringing a lot more on board so this is likely to be a far more frequent event. I wish I had got his details because the dealt with all the passengers - even the abusive ones - in an extremely professional manner,

When we left the train at Reading he told me he had sold between 150 & 200 quids worth of tickets. Now I m aware some pax would have had to have bought a ticket at some point on their journey to exit a station but that's not bad for about 30 minutes on board!

Long may it continue

Agreed with the checks.

I'm astounded at the amount of fares sold but then thinking, as return from Theale to London is ^40, so could just be 5 tickets!

I *think* the majority of the fares being sold were local. This was a 2-Car set and the RPO spent so much time collecting fares he didn't make it to the 2nd car before we got to Reading.

Sadly it seems that - so far at least in 2012 - this was a one off. I was hoping if there were new RPIs coming in board it would have been noticeable by now :(

What determines which services are subject to checks?

On the "local" services into London I would reckon I have never been subject to a ticket check on what could be considered to be the usual peak commuter trains (arriving before 9, leaving after 5). 

When I have either taken a later train in or earlier train home I can almost guarantee there will be a ticket check (and yes, usually involves at least one or two "conversations" in the carriage).

I can only assume the ticket inspectors don't relish fighting their way through the overcrowded carriages.  Or perhaps they like a good breakfast and early tea-time  ;)

Given the regularity of apparent fare dodging at other times, the numbers of people occupying 1st class (I may be wrong but...) and given that it is currently possible to arrive on platforms 13/14 (as most local trains do) or 10/11, go straight to the H&C line and "touch in" without any barriers there must be a potential gold mine waiting to be uncovered.

It also amuses me that the door from the ticket office to platform 4 at Twyford is usually manned in the mornings and everyone is asked to show their ticket but the the large double doors further along are usually open and the side gate at Platform 5 is always open and both unmanned.


Thank goodness we live in a world where we are all honest folk.