Inspection blitz uncovers widespread free travel pass fraud

[AD11]

Had my first experience of the new 'in your face' style ticket checkers last night. I appreciate it's a dirty job that someone has to do and it's great that chancers are going to suffer at last but the guy checking around me was just a little bit obnoxious and condescending to several people.

I know if he spoke to me the way he spoke to a student a few seats back and also 2 'children' . I would have been very annoyed.

[James Howard]

If this was the 1905 to Sligo, then I saw the same blokes. I had headphones on so didn't hear what was going on around me but there were polite enough (but assertive) to me. They seemed very diligent in checking the details on the student car of the girl sitting opposite. I'm happy to see more of this given that I pay my way and would have to pay less if everyone else does. It is quite absurd how rarely this happens given the amount of fare-dodging going on.

Rather disgustingly, some scumbag left a little souvenir in the accessible toilet - I wonder if this was in reaction to getting nabbed by the RPU guys.

[AD11]

Yes it was the 19.05 Sligo train alright.

[grainne whale]

Originally Posted by AD11

Had my first experience of the new 'in your face' style ticket checkers last night. I appreciate it's a dirty job that someone has to do and it's great that chancers are going to suffer at last but the guy checking around me was just a little bit obnoxious and condescending to several people.

I know if he spoke to me the way he spoke to a student a few seats back and also 2 'children' . I would have been very annoyed.

Was the ticket checker rude or what - no call for that if that was the case, people deserve to be treated with respect, especially those who have valid tickets.

[Mark Gleeson]

If you personally had a 'bad experience' report the member of staff, complain. As for third party observations of other passengers experience it is hard to know the full context, but if its clearly excessive complain.

We have raised complaints with Irish Rail to ensure the RPU staff show their ID badges clearly when conducting a check. Demand to see the ID card if not shown, they must have the ID and a warrant card.

Its not a pleasant job and I have to admit we have complained to Irish Rail concerning the very superficial nature of ticket checks, we are now seeing a more in-depth check so this will catch the professional evaders who fake tickets, ID and so on.

[James Howard]

I would have the guy who dealt with me as being assertive rather than rude which is necessary. He said thank you to me after I showed my pass. I think his ID was visible but I couldn't swear to that as I wasn't paying that much attention.

[AD11]

He was more aggressive than I would like but not outright rude. There was a student he pulled up over not having a student card which was fair enough but I didnt like the way he spoke to the 2 girls who may or may not have been using valid 'child' tickets. If they were actually entitled to use them I would be upset at his manner and the aggressive way he spoke to them was uncalled for in my opinion anyway.

In fairness he was fine with me although he gave my annual ticket more scrutiny than anyone I've ever seen in about 10 yrs commuting

[grainne whale]

Originally Posted by AD11

He was more aggressive than I would like but not outright rude. There was a student he pulled up over not having a student card which was fair enough but I didnt like the way he spoke to the 2 girls who may or may not have been using valid 'child' tickets. If they were actually entitled to use them I would be upset at his manner and the aggressive way he spoke to them was uncalled for in my opinion anyway.

In fairness he was fine with me although he gave my annual ticket more scrutiny than anyone I've ever seen in about 10 yrs commuting

Sounds like the ticket checker should have been put on a training course on how to deal with people for a start.

[James Howard]

He probably was put on a course to train him to behave that way. The problem is that serious aggression is such a common trait in us Irish that he has to go in aggressively so as to get his retaliation in first.

If he goes in all nice as pie, people will just walk all over him so he has to be seen in the first place as being unwilling to take any crap from anyone. It is exactly the same everywhere with ticket inspectors - there is no other way to get the job done.

I reckon he'd want to be wearing a stab-vest the way a significant minority behave in this country.

[Jamie2k9]

I would have the guy who dealt with me as being assertive rather than rude which is necessary. He said thank you to me after I showed my pass. I think his ID was visible but I couldn't swear to that as I wasn't paying that much attention.

I think that post sums up RPU and they should be very assertive, being kind and nice doesn't work anymore, you should hear some of the excuses they have to listen to.

the way he spoke to the 2 girls who may or may not have been using valid 'child' tickets. If they were actually entitled to use them I would be upset at his manner and the aggressive way he spoke to them was uncalled for in my opinion anyway.

as we don't know if they were allowed on child tickets I would put big money that they were not. Loads try to get away with child tickets and of course in many cases the RPU staff will get abuse before they actually get the correct answers.

[grainne whale]

Originally Posted by James Howard

He probably was put on a course to train him to behave that way. The problem is that serious aggression is such a common trait in us Irish that he has to go in aggressively so as to get his retaliation in first.

If he goes in all nice as pie, people will just walk all over him so he has to be seen in the first place as being unwilling to take any crap from anyone. It is exactly the same everywhere with ticket inspectors - there is no other way to get the job done.

I reckon he'd want to be wearing a stab-vest the way a significant minority behave in this country.

No, I wouldn't agree. There is nothing wrong in saying 'tickets, please', and carry out the inspection in an assertive and efficient manner. There is no need for agression on any part and a ticket collector should be trained to handle a situation like that. Many companies who have staff dealing with the public train their staff in that area. This serves both customer service and also their own (staff) safety.

[ocian]

Originally Posted by grainne whale

No, I wouldn't agree. There is nothing wrong in saying 'tickets, please', and carry out the inspection in an assertive and efficient manner. There is no need for agression on any part and a ticket collector should be trained to handle a situation like that. Many companies who have staff dealing with the public train their staff in that area. This serves both customer service and also their own (staff) safety.

I have to agree with you, out of all the countries in Europe I have visited and travelled by train, Irish Rail RPU staff (both on trains and on the barriers in Heuston & Connolly) are by far the most aggressive and sometimes downright rude. In all the countries I've been to the ticket checkers are nice and friendly but yet still assertive. A simple "tickets please" and a smile and "thank you sir/madam" after the ticket is checked is all that's needed, not that difficult. They're still assertive and able to deal with offenders efficiently, but pleasant to those who have valid tickets. And it works perfectly, proving there is no need for the aggression we see here from the RPU.