markbigears
Member
- Joined
- 10 Jul 2012
- Messages
- 14
Hi guys, first post, wondered if you have any views on this.
I have used the high speed HS1 from the very first day of introduction and this is the first time I have encountered this situation.
I commute daily starting in the morning at GRAVSEND, but travel back to HIGHAM in the evening.
This means that I have to get a valid ticket at the counter as the machine cannot issue a return ticket back to Higham.
Recently, I assume because of the time of day I travel, one side of the station the counter is now closed almost permanently and other side
Is down to one counter. This creates a queue most days and at least once a week I have to board the train without a valid ticket.
For the past 2 years, if I board without a valid ticket I seek out the On-Board-Manager, who, without exception, issues me a valid ticket from his personal machine.
(This is their own advice)
This has been the case until today, when I boarded the train without a ticket after many minutes of queuing. Upon entering, I saw what I thought was the On-Board-Manger
And asked for my usual, HS1 WITH TRAVEL CARD, WITH NETWORK CARD FROM HIGHAM. I was then informed that I would be fined for not having a valid ticket to travel.
I explained the above, but no avail.
Confused I asked if she was the OBM to which she replied, No, revenue Inspector. I asked for the OBM, and after 5 minutes wait he arrived. By this time the Inspector had left the train.
I explained the situation, and he told me, he had personally issued at least 5 tickets to travel from GRAVESEND and that if he had seen me earlier he would have issued me one too.
He said he didnt think the revenue Inspector should have fined me, but could not do anything now as it was issued, but suggested I appealed.
So after 2 years on the HS1, Im now at a loss of the facts on boarding without a ticket?
In the past the OBMs have told me, that If I board without a valid ticket, to seek them out and they will issue one to me. (which I have done on numerous occasions)
But now the Revenue Inspector informs me that I will be fined if I dont have a valid ticket.
But then the OBM tells me they are wrong and should not have fined me and to appeal.
There seems to be a grey area on the HS1. The OBMs are all about customer service (and by their own admission, have a machine to issue tickets) and are fantastic,
Indeed I know many of them by name. The Revenue Inspectors are clearly working to issuing fines no matter the situation and treat you as a fare evader
Any thoughts, I am going to appeal, but don't hold much hope.
Mark
I have used the high speed HS1 from the very first day of introduction and this is the first time I have encountered this situation.
I commute daily starting in the morning at GRAVSEND, but travel back to HIGHAM in the evening.
This means that I have to get a valid ticket at the counter as the machine cannot issue a return ticket back to Higham.
Recently, I assume because of the time of day I travel, one side of the station the counter is now closed almost permanently and other side
Is down to one counter. This creates a queue most days and at least once a week I have to board the train without a valid ticket.
For the past 2 years, if I board without a valid ticket I seek out the On-Board-Manager, who, without exception, issues me a valid ticket from his personal machine.
(This is their own advice)
This has been the case until today, when I boarded the train without a ticket after many minutes of queuing. Upon entering, I saw what I thought was the On-Board-Manger
And asked for my usual, HS1 WITH TRAVEL CARD, WITH NETWORK CARD FROM HIGHAM. I was then informed that I would be fined for not having a valid ticket to travel.
I explained the above, but no avail.
Confused I asked if she was the OBM to which she replied, No, revenue Inspector. I asked for the OBM, and after 5 minutes wait he arrived. By this time the Inspector had left the train.
I explained the situation, and he told me, he had personally issued at least 5 tickets to travel from GRAVESEND and that if he had seen me earlier he would have issued me one too.
He said he didnt think the revenue Inspector should have fined me, but could not do anything now as it was issued, but suggested I appealed.
So after 2 years on the HS1, Im now at a loss of the facts on boarding without a ticket?
In the past the OBMs have told me, that If I board without a valid ticket, to seek them out and they will issue one to me. (which I have done on numerous occasions)
But now the Revenue Inspector informs me that I will be fined if I dont have a valid ticket.
But then the OBM tells me they are wrong and should not have fined me and to appeal.
There seems to be a grey area on the HS1. The OBMs are all about customer service (and by their own admission, have a machine to issue tickets) and are fantastic,
Indeed I know many of them by name. The Revenue Inspectors are clearly working to issuing fines no matter the situation and treat you as a fare evader
Any thoughts, I am going to appeal, but don't hold much hope.
Mark