Great Western Coffee Shop

HI every one,my name is Dave and in the last couple of years when working I have travelled daily on the FGW network. I read with interest Rob's "Hello" and couldn't agree more with his comments about revenue protection.

But before I get on to that I must say that I think the travelling experience on FGW is improving slowly. For example, at my local station (Thatcham) we have had new information signs for some time now and apart from in the mornings when late running engineering works overrun the signs are clear and reliable.

I also don;t have a problem with the cleanliness of the trains which when I travel (on the first services of of THA) is normally pretty good. The new on-train info displays on the local trains is a great improvement but it does seem to rely on a crew member telling the information systems where the train is going. It is often the case that the "next station" display will refer to a station which the service passed through half an hour ago! I came across a classic the other morning when I changed trains at RDG and boarded the PAD service which had come from Oxford and is formed of two sets joined together. The Audio announcement in the rear set was correct but the display panels were showing service information TO Oxford! I guess at that time in the morning no one really cares :)


Revenue protection in the next bit >>>

Here is my experience of having my ticket checked on FGW over the last two years..this isn't me being anal...it is just very easy to remember!

Up until the last couple of years ago I had used the railways frequently but not regulary. In the last couple of years apart from one woking day all of my journeys have been by train and the first leg of my journey is normally between THA and RDG. You may or may not find the following statistics regarding the frequency of my ticket checks interesting...

All of these stats apply to the last two years of constant travelling by train..

-From THA to RDG Early morning (pre 630AM) and return on either the 1748 (BTM via newbury) or 1812 (RDG to Newbury) - NEVER! - I would suggest there are alot of commuters who regard this service as "free"
-From RDG to REI on the 634AM and returning (mainly) on the 1618 from REI to RDG - Always
-On any non HST service from RGT to PAD - once in two years
-HST Services from RDG to PAD - about 3 times (poss due to crowding issues)

Hi Dave, even on the journeys that I have made over the last few months what you have said here rings true!

I would imagine that the reason for getting your ticket checked always on the Reigate leg of your journey will be because there is a guard on those trains - good to hear that they are not just doing the doors!

I know HSTs are busy and often TOCs will not ask their guys to check on busier trains especially if like at Padd and Reading both stations are gated - but this doesn't stop people from getting on the train at Padd with an oyster card for zones 1-4 and getting out at Reading with a Twyford - Reading season ticket, therefore not paying for the majority of their journey!

I feel you really should have had your ticket checked more often on the other services you travel on; especially if the perception is that they are 'free trains'. Surely FGW know what's going on out there????

I'm not for one moment suggesting that everyone who travels on these services is deliberately being dishonest but on the THA-RDG segment of the journey it is made easier for those that do. For PAX on the 547am service if they travel between (for example) THA and Reading West there may not be an option to buy a ticket because either there is no option to pay by cash when the ticket office is shut or the selfservice machine outside isn't working. I just wish once in a while they would put Payment Protection Officers on the service.

Depends what Platform it goes from at Paddington.

If 2-5 then you can't get through the Gates with an Oyster card.

A belated warm welcome to the forum from the moderator team, BerkshireBugsy.  :D