Great Western Coffee Shop

My monthly season ticket runs out tomorrow.. When I won't be travelling.. So I can post this now as I've been keeping a note (sad I know) of my journey and ticket checks etc..

Not once during that month (and I travelled on various trains) was my ticket checked, other than on HSTs with train Managers.. I don't know where the extra ticket checking staff have vanished to..

In particular the 8.34 Maidenhead to Paddington in the morning (which is a Class 180 usually) has had more and more people in first class as they work it out that they don't need to pay the extra..

I am also going to be emailing FGW about this and alsos to ask them 1. How many times tickets have been checked on this service between Maidenhead and Paddington in January.. 2. How many times has this train been on time at Paddington in January.. I think both answers won't be much more than zero ..

My experience is that the busier the train, the less likely it is that tickets will be checked.  I can't recall a single occasion in the last year where a train has been standing room only and I've had my ticket checked.  Which is no surprise when you realise that in order to claim a refund for having to stand, I have to get confirmation from a member of the train staff.  The converse is true also - I've been on some evening services from Paddington which have been fairly quiet and I've seen ticket inspectors unting in packs of three or more. 

The 07:08 Maidenhead-Paddington (originating from Worcester) regularly sees the train manager checking tickets (particularly in First Class).  It would be good if such diligence was shown also by the catering team to ensure that the buffet trolley actually serviced the passengers and that the complimentary newspapers were provided too. 

Do the barriers not count as a ticket check?
Or is the question more aimed at first class carriages?

I agree that it is highly unlikely to see a ticket inspector on the "full and standing" trains in the peak periods and I would share your view that many in FC are possibly not paying for it.

There was a ticket check on a peak time turbo last week (I couldn't believe it) although it didn't happen in the front carriage until the train was between Maidenhead and Twyford so the train was reasonably empty by then.  Inspector went into FC, one passenger there, checked ticket and told him to move to Standard. No penalty or difference paid.
 

it was aimed a bit at First class as why should they sell first class tickets to Maidenhead passengers for no reason.. I will wait and hear what they say I guess..

Barriers aren't effective enough! They are too easy to avoid quite often and staff don't tend to notice when they are being abused. I won't even open the routing can of worms...

And I guess one important thing is I've heard SO much about the extra revenue staff they have brought in but not seen a single one in a month... not good...

I think it is more a case of they are not being seen on trains you catch. I was on the 07:56 from Twyford (2 turbos coupled together) on Friday and a ticket check took place (on the set I was in, don't know about rear set).

Yeah I know but that doesn't make it right.. the 8.34am is the train I most frequently catch currently but the total abuse of First Class suggests that there aren't ticket checks on that train ever... Ollie are you able to get any statistics about how often tickets are checked on that train between Maidenhead and London? I am going to ask FGW but not sure they will answer that question.. Well not on their first reply anyway  ::)

If you'd posted today asking where the revenue staff were, I'd say get yourself down to Ealing Broadway.

The 'up' GW/HC platform was barriered off with a large number (15 to 20) revenue staff, plus a private security firm (possibly G4S) and a few BTP officers stood around.  All tickets and Oyster cards were being checked, for both entry and exit to the platforms.  Seemed to surprise many of the other passengers as the check was being carried out within the gated station area.

Seemed to be a very slick operation, except when the guy placed his Oyster reader on top of my paper season ticket (which has an Oyster card with no credit stored behind this in the ticket wallet) ::)

Perhaps they find targeting stations is more efficient than checking tickets on trains?

I travelled on the 1203 stopper from Reading to Padd today. An RPO boarded at Reading and started checking tickets before the train had left. Seconds later, he was issueing a PF to young lady!

Then , at Slough, another RPO boarded and started a another ticket check.

Not sure whether to be impressed or not (where both these checks rostered?), but definitely not unhappy to see such vigilance.

Perhaps revenue protection at Ealing Broadway is a regular thing?  This evening, the country bound platforms were targeted.  About 6 staff either side of the corridor on the bridge.  Organised chaos is a term that sprung to mind as it simply wasn't wide enough to see who had and who hadn't been checked.

The main target appeared to be Oyster cards.  Especially those who touched out on the platform validators having arrived on the tube.

That all sounds good.. I am beginning to think it's the non stop Maidenhead to Paddington peak trains that are being ignored ticket check wise.. I will wait to see I guess..

Make no promises, but will see if I can find anything out.

Thanks Ollie... :)

I got a reply today which

a) I could have written myself as it was all very familiar
b) didn't answer either of my two questions

I've sent it back to FGW for them to answer properly.. we'll see  ::) ::)

And.. today.. another reply (took more than two weeks in coming)

1.. No idea when/if tickets were checked on that service

2. It arrived on time only 2 times in January(!!)

Dear me.. And that was with no explanation for either ticket check or on time failure.. At least I know I'm not making it up how bad that services is and how bad the ticket checking between Maidenhead and Paddington on the morning peak trains is.. I've sent it straight back to FGW to sort out.. if they do...