Atomic Systems

As for GSwindale's point about RPI's vs lost revenue generally RPI's work out more expensive. Even when they catch people with invalid or no tickets people slip through as RPI's have no power of arrest (although they can Caution). It is common for people to refuse to give their details or give false address/name and there is nothing the RPI can do apart from calling the police which can be more hassle than it is worth if at a more remote station. The TOC then has to prosecute etc so even when RPI's do catch people there is no garunteed return. Most TOC's sub contract RPI duties to security firms such as Meteor and will go through stages of a year or so when they employ their own to sort of send a message out to ticketless travellers and once revenue has gone up the RPI's will be out of a job. I know that the TOC I work for as part of their franchise agreement are installing gatelines at most stations throughout london and the south coast to combat this-even on stations where no trains run DOO.

This is one of the advantages of the much-vaunted (but never-implemented in the UK) Integrated Transport Policy.

The Helsinki public transport authority employs roving ticket inspectors. These cover the local trains, metro, trams and buses for an area with a population of 2 million. It seems to be worthwhile for them, and with so many lines to cover, they probably don't get bored much.

As for arrest powers, the inspectors are normally accompanied by security guards (rent-a-cops) who appear to be capable of calling for backup from real cops where necessary. I've never seen it become necessary for a mere ticket offence though. In the meantime, I think their actions would be covered by Citizen's Arrest provisions in the law.

Now if only they could do something about the graffiti artists...