Fame and Travelling - Can it really co-exist?

[cardiffcroupier]

After todays shift, I really have to put pen to paper and see what everyone opinion is. The subject is celebraties and their train travelling habits.

Person1 is a TV celebrity, currently starring in a sitcom which has around 5 or 6 series to its credit.

Person2 is a drama celebrity, starring in many very popular short series, one-off, and is also an acclaimed actor.

I had the pleasure of both of them on my train today. Person2 always travels first class, and is often found reading the scipt for their latest role, is very polite and will always ask how you are. Generally departing in the peak or mid-morning, this passenger almost always has a ticket, or if the office is closed a "Permit to Travel"

Person1 however is a different story. On 4 occasions now this person has joined the train and demanded a cheap-day return from a station with an open ticket office and ticket machines which have their destination listed. After hearing my discussion with another passenger regarding why I had enforced the penalty fares clause with them, Person1 still demanded a Cheap-day return and refused to pay anything else. Apparently, person1 being late to the station is a justified reason for getting the discounted facility, and me saying (quite rightly) otherwise was bad customer service. Person1 left the train at the next stopping point to make a written complaint about me.


Question: Did I do the right thing to Person1?


Note: Names and definative descriptions withheld for obvious reasons!

[martinhodgson]

Sounds like you did right to me - rules are rules, and shouldn't be broken because you are famous!

[salopiangrowler]

if they start screaming do you know who i am, just say yes and im calling the police, and the local newspapers if you dont act like anyone else on the train.

[Thrashin]

Yes. I hate it when some famous folk think they are above the rules.

[salopiangrowler]

well i had the pleasure of meeting robbie williams 4 times all on trains and all travelling through shrewsbury.

Ive seen the busty beau, who wears no bra in ground force

Ian Hislop at Shrewsbury station

Peter Pothelswaite (Spelling!) at shrewsbury.

to name many, on famous person asked me the times for the next train to london, i couldnt name them for the life of me but i knew he was famous.

[salopiangrowler]

Robbie Williams was the greatest passenger ever although i felt sorry for him when he restarted his career because he was always in a hoody then i could tell who it was though when i was on the trolley he looked up a smiled.

I also saw Jools Holland on the SVR for the Bridgnorth jazz fest

[electric]

Passengers are passangers. Your employers probably lecture you on Equal opps when you join (at least) and so if it comes back on you, tell them you were using equal opps, they can't have a come back for that one. It's what I get when I have a go at one of my mates when they've fare dogded and been caught (I love their faces at New St. when I have a valid ticket) because, as I'm intrested in the railways, they think I can get them off, NOOOOO chance

[salopiangrowler]

they can if they use there brain the fire escapes been open for the past 3 times i been through there and ive seen a few go through the door.

[arabiandisco]

I think you did the right thing, and no doubt your supervisor (or whatever they are called) would agree with me.

[spartacus]

Celebrities on trains: I believe Bruce Dickinson nearly missed one of his first gigs with Iron Maiden after chasing 40s on the ECML!

Tocket on train: yes, definately the right thing to do, although a friend of mine when boarding at a manned station without a ticket due to his own late arrival at the station was told he could only purchase a single rather than the return he required by the guard. Fully expected not to be able to to get a CRD or use his railcard discount (although some guards give it if you're clearly late), but would anyone know here is the guard was in the right or not regarding issuing a single?

[Keelar001]

[quote="spartacus"]Celebrities on trains: I believe Bruce Dickinson nearly missed one of his first gigs with Iron Maiden after chasing 40s on the ECML!

Nice bloke is old Bruce - often see him on South Western making his way to Gatwick; one of these days I'll pluck up the courage to ask him down to the depot for a turn around the yard!

[cardiffcroupier]

Celebrities on trains: I believe Bruce Dickinson nearly missed one of his first gigs with Iron Maiden after chasing 40s on the ECML!

Tocket on train: yes, definately the right thing to do, although a friend of mine when boarding at a manned station without a ticket due to his own late arrival at the station was told he could only purchase a single rather than the return he required by the guard. Fully expected not to be able to to get a CRD or use his railcard discount (although some guards give it if you're clearly late), but would anyone know here is the guard was in the right or not regarding issuing a single?

Hmmm Not sure of the official line, but we are taught it is a Single or Return, as usually a standard day/open return is around double the price of a single (Give or take a few quid)

[arabiandisco]

The general line I've heard from SWT guards is that they'll sell you whatever you like if you go and find them, but the choice is more limited if you wait to be found by them during ticket checks.

I don't know if that's the official policy, but I think it should be - fair to all concerned.

[ArrivaTrains]

After todays shift, I really have to put pen to paper and see what everyone opinion is. The subject is celebraties and their train travelling habits.

Person1 is a TV celebrity, currently starring in a sitcom which has around 5 or 6 series to its credit.

Person2 is a drama celebrity, starring in many very popular short series, one-off, and is also an acclaimed actor.

I had the pleasure of both of them on my train today. Person2 always travels first class, and is often found reading the scipt for their latest role, is very polite and will always ask how you are. Generally departing in the peak or mid-morning, this passenger almost always has a ticket, or if the office is closed a "Permit to Travel"

Person1 however is a different story. On 4 occasions now this person has joined the train and demanded a cheap-day return from a station with an open ticket office and ticket machines which have their destination listed. After hearing my discussion with another passenger regarding why I had enforced the penalty fares clause with them, Person1 still demanded a Cheap-day return and refused to pay anything else. Apparently, person1 being late to the station is a justified reason for getting the discounted facility, and me saying (quite rightly) otherwise was bad customer service. Person1 left the train at the next stopping point to make a written complaint about me.


Question: Did I do the right thing to Person1?


Note: Names and definative descriptions withheld for obvious reasons!

Yes, you did the right thing.

Open ticket office +/ working machine + no ticket = Full Std Fare

[chriscooper]

I've found most guards are pretty good at allowing you to buy and ticket if you go up to them and ask them before boarding (and of cource "sorry I'm running late so I couldn't get a ticket, but I really need to get this train" is a good help, ques in the ticket office or trouble finding a parking space help even more). Actually, the only time I've been flatly refused when asking was when their was a big que since only one out of two ticket windows were open and their was no other way to get tickets, and even though I'd arrived around 15mins before the train was due, I still had at least 3 people infront of me (not counting the person being served who was taking ages and asking loads of stupid questions) when the train was announced. I found the guard, explained the situation and was told that they couldn't give me a railcard discount onboard, an I'd have to go and get in the que (I think he thought that since it was a different TOC who opearte the station, it was their responsibility not his). Have to admit, I think I told him where to stuff his train (he was quite sharp and patronising aswell, which made me more angry), and got back in the que, but since I was then at the back, the same thing happened, so I i the same again, but got a decent guard who was happy to sell me a normal price ticket (and said they would do the same for anyone getting on at that station). It's jobsworths like the other man who give rail staff, especially those involved with revenue protection, a bad name, although they are a small minority, and the other guard was normal (I'm sure nearly ever other guard would have been happy to let me get a discount).