LNER guard asking for ID?

[benbristow]

Just sitting on an Azuma right now.

Train guard has just been through and been checking tickets.

He got to an Asian couple and when checking their tickets asked to see some identification like a passport/driving licence.

Now I’m used to being asked for a Railcard but never seen that before on a UK train.

What would be the reasoning behind that? Just being nosey/curious!

 

[Feuillesmortes]

Interrail probably

 

[Class800]

Checking old enough to travel independently; Interail; some other ticket that needs ID; being a nosey parker; or some other options we may not want to list. We really don't know

 

[Bletchleyite]

Checking old enough to travel independently

Not sure what purpose ID would serve there given that there isn't a specified age.

 

[Surreytraveller]

FIP (international staff travel)

 

[benbristow]

Not sure what purpose ID would serve there given that there isn't a specified age.

Definitely wouldn’t be that as they look definitely adult!

 

[Irascible]

Checking old enough to travel independently

Since when is that a thing?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Since when is that a thing?

It isn't. GNER briefly tried it (and "residue" from that is knocking around if you Google for it) but they were told to pack it in. There is no specified minimum age for rail travel, it's similar to leaving a kid at home on their own, so is more about whether they're mature enough to deal with situations which may arise, which differ depending on the actual journey involved, e.g. I was allowed to use Merseyrail locally from about 8-10 depending on the journey, to go to Liverpool on my own from about 13-14 or so, to travel around the wider North West network including Manchester and North Wales from about 15-16 but not to go to London alone until I was an adult.

 

[sk688]

Reminiscent of travelling via Deustche Bahn

 

[43066]

Checking birth date for a young persons’ railcard (or similar)?

 

[fandroid]

Reminiscent of travelling via Deustche Bahn

That's because online etickets are always sold to a specific named traveller on DB. I guess it's to avoid copying and potential fraud. I don't know if any etickets here are allocated to named persons.

 

[AlterEgo]

Checking birth date for a young persons’ railcard (or similar)?

Why would you need to check someone's birthday when inspecting a 16-25 Railcard?

It's almost certainly an Interrail product or something niche like FIP.

 

[glasgowniteowl]

Safeguarding and county lines are getting a fair bit of attention at moment, so someone who may look about say 10 but claims to be 16 if asked, could be asked for ID to reduce a concern especially if on long distance trains like lner if staff do have a concern that they may appear not old enough to travel independently

 

[Wallsendmag]

InterRail or BritRail I would expect, FIP tickets are supposed to be accomapnied by FIP card and passport as well.

 

[rg177]

Interrail most likely as others have said.

I've been asked for ID myself by an LNER TM when using one.

 

[Class800]

Less exciting than several other options sadly, but the most probable I would agree - but you never know

 

[Trainbike46]

Checking birth date for a young persons’ railcard (or similar)?

except that would only apply when buying a 16-25 railcard - you are explicitly allowed to buy it just before your birthday, and can buy it at any age if meeting the railway's definition of student - so really not a very useful check to do on the train

 

[Haywain]

except that would only apply when buying a 16-25 railcard - you are explicitly allowed to buy it just before your birthday, and can buy it at any age if meeting the railway's definition of student - so really not a very useful check to do on the train

If the guard wasn't convinced that a railcard actually belonged to the person presenting it, it might have provided verification. However, I think it is more likely that this was related to an InterRail or BritRail pass.

 

[43066]

Why would you need to check someone's birthday when inspecting a 16-25 Railcard?

except that would only apply when buying a 16-25 railcard - you are explicitly allowed to buy it just before your birthday, and can buy it at any age if meeting the railway's definition of student - so really not a very useful check to do on the train

Thanks. I had (clearly incorrectly!) assumed that you would need to be able to evidence your age if you had used a 16-25 card.

 

[[.n]]

except that would only apply when buying a 16-25 railcard - you are explicitly allowed to buy it just before your birthday, and can buy it at any age if meeting the railway's definition of student - so really not a very useful check to do on the train

You could be 43 and have a 16-25 railcard (legitimately)

eligibility criteria are here : https://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/using-your-railcard/are-you-eligible/

 

[43066]

You could be 43 and have a 16-25 railcard (legitimately)

If I didn’t have a priv I’d look into it .

 

[Class800]

While legitimate in some edge cases if you look much older don't expect a smooth ride using such a railcard.

 

[Townsend Hook]

While legitimate in some edge cases if you look much older don't expect a smooth ride using such a railcard.

Why should you not? The age/student status verification is carried out when applying for the railcard, so why should a TM not take that railcard at face value? Arguably, deliberately not giving an older-looking 16-25 railcard holder the same ‘smooth ride’ the TM would give to someone who looks younger would be unlawful age discrimination.

 

[Doubleplus]

You could be 43 and have a 16-25 railcard (legitimately)

eligibility criteria are here : https://www.16-25railcard.co.uk/using-your-railcard/are-you-eligible/

That is fascinating. As noted, I can well imagine someone in that position would be challenged and heavily scrutinised every day, but the comfort of knowing that it was fully legitimate would make it worthwhile.

 

[Class800]

Why should you not? The age/student status verification is carried out when applying for the railcard, so why should a TM not take that railcard at face value? Arguably, deliberately not giving an older-looking 16-25 railcard holder the same ‘smooth ride’ the TM would give to someone who looks younger would be unlawful age discrimination.

I'm just saying what might happen if you have a 16-25 and look older. Life isn't always how it's meant to be

 

[AlterEgo]

I'm just saying what might happen if you have a 16-25 and look older. Life isn't always how it's meant to be

The eligibility for railcards is determined during purchase and staff are well aware that mature students qualify for the 16-25. I don’t “look disabled” but have never had an issue using my DSB railcard.

 

[Falcon1200]

The age/student status verification is carried out when applying for the railcard, so why should a TM not take that railcard at face value?

Because a Railcard could be lent to/borrowed by/stolen by/found by and used by another person, including someone not entitled to it at all, ie too old in this case!

 

[AlterEgo]

Because a Railcard could be lent to/borrowed by/stolen by/found by and used by another person, including someone not entitled to it at all, ie too old in this case!

But it's a photocard. It can't be passed around without detection.

Do you think guards should ask me for my proof of disability when I use my (non-photocard) Disabled railcard?

 

[skyhigh]

Because a Railcard could be lent to/borrowed by/stolen by/found by and used by another person, including someone not entitled to it at all, ie too old in this case!

Absolute nonsense, sorry. If a railcard is shown it should be checked it's not fake, it's in date and it belongs to the holder. Any questions around eligibility of the railcard are nothing to do with on train staff.

 

[Falcon1200]

Do you think guards should ask me for my proof of disability when I use my (non-photocard) Disabled railcard?

I would say no, because that case is a particularly sensitive issue. Although I am surprised no photocard is required.

Absolute nonsense, sorry. If a railcard is shown it should be checked it's not fake, it's in date and it belongs to the holder. Any questions around eligibility of the railcard are nothing to do with on train staff.

The post to which I replied stated taking a Railcard at face value, ie carrying out no check whatsoever, whereas you are saying it should be confirmed that it belongs to the holder; Which is not the same thing, and I actually agree with you.