Revenue check- FIRE HAZARD

[hoopsheff]

Hi

I was subjected to another Revenue check this morning (3rd in as many days) at Heuston. On thing that struck me is that (while I have no issue with the idea of checking tickets) I do have issues with the way it is being done.

1- They have blocked off part of the exit from the Platform with tables - I'd be pretty sure this consitutes a fire hazard ...does anybody have a copy of the Fireplan for Heuston?

2- If they are going to check tickets at the end of the line then whats the point in checking the tickets on the train/ at starting train station?

3- Why does this have to take so long for them to do??? any other station I've been in (at the terminus of a train) where they check tickets doesnt take so long! Its bad enough that IR delay us with their trains not running on time/to schedule, but to hold us up after our journey is a joke.

4- Is there a legal basis for checking somebodies ticket if they are not on a train?

[Laois Commuter]

Hi

I was subjected to another Revenue check this morning (3rd in as many days) at Heuston. On thing that struck me is that (while I have no issue with the idea of checking tickets) I do have issues with the way it is being done.

1- They have blocked off part of the exit from the Platform with tables - I'd be pretty sure this consitutes a fire hazard ...does anybody have a copy of the Fireplan for Heuston?

2- If they are going to check tickets at the end of the line then whats the point in checking the tickets on the train/ at starting train station?

3- Why does this have to take so long for them to do??? any other station I've been in (at the terminus of a train) where they check tickets doesnt take so long! Its bad enough that IR delay us with their trains not running on time/to schedule, but to hold us up after our journey is a joke.

4- Is there a legal basis for checking somebodies ticket if they are not on a train?

1 - In an emergency, they could be moved.
2 - To catch people alighting before the terminus
3 - When checked last week, it took about 2 seconds per ticket. Seems pretty fast to me. Only those caught stealing travel were delayed longer while money and details were extracted.
4 - I believe you must produce a ticket on demand by an authorised person anywhere on railway property.

LC

[ThomasJ]

The thing you have to ask is what is the solution? the exit validation that is now in place in connolly station?

[comcor]

1 - In an emergency, they could be moved.


Usually with a fire department that won't wash. Exits must be kept unobstructed at all times.

3 - When checked last week, it took about 2 seconds per ticket. Seems pretty fast to me. Only those caught stealing travel were delayed longer while money and details were extracted.

2 seconds per ticket, over 400 people on a train. Those at the back are going to get delayed by almost quarter of an hour.

The thing you have to ask is what is the solution? the exit validation that is now in place in connolly station?

You could also question whether the revenue from people put off fare doodging is worth the cost of performing the checks.

[James Shields]

The revenue from fare evaders is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. The purpose of revenue protection is not to catch individual evaders, but to instill in people that it's not worth the risk. If RP are successful, they should very rarely catch anyone because everyone will have tickets.

[Thomas J Stamp]

Usually with a fire department that won't wash. Exits must be kept unobstructed at all times.



2 seconds per ticket, over 400 people on a train. Those at the back are going to get delayed by almost quarter of an hour.



You could also question whether the revenue from people put off fare doodging is worth the cost of performing the checks.

proper exit validation is on its way, like Connolly.

Its not a fire hazard, those gates are not exits - the exits are exits, the gates are just bits inside the big room......

Lets not get carried away here

[Mark Gleeson]

Heuston about once a year gets subjected to a very strict set of inspections as do all other stations in turn, its random enough. The level of inspections have massively increased over the last year mainly as a result of increased legal powers and increased fines for fare evasion.

Interestingly to note ticket revenues have increased significantly more than expected compared to passenger numbers which indicates fare evasion is down significantly

There is no ticket check boarding at most stations, certainly won't get checked at Sallins, Hazelhatch, Clondalkin or Cherry Orchard, in Thurles you won't be checked most of the time.

Once you are on or about a railway platform any official can request to see your ticket

The principle cause of delay is the inspection team finding people who don't have tickets, resulting in the need to issue tickets or fines as per the by laws, double check Tom's Directory and so on. Another hold up is the need to burrow into the handbag or back pocket to find the ticket. Sometimes there is a specific reason, such as forged tickets/passes, numerous ones have been recovered. As far as we understand a number of notices have been placed highlighting that ticket checks will be carried out.

Such enmass ticket inspection blockades are fairly common in Europe where a group of inspectors will decend with military precision on a platform or train and check every single person

There isn't much we can do about it, Irish Rail are exercising a legal right going back to the victorian era to check tickets, remember the honest majority are paying for the freeloaders through increased fares

[Terrontress]

The revenue from fare evaders is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. The purpose of revenue protection is not to catch individual evaders, but to instill in people that it's not worth the risk. If RP are successful, they should very rarely catch anyone because everyone will have tickets.

You have hit the nail on the head there. On the DART / Commuter routes the ticket checkers stick out like a sore thumb. I have friends who come in on the Maynooth line. They travel to Lansdowne usually. If they get to Lansdowne and there is a ticket checker they move on to Sandymount.

In the evening they use the AIB gate to enter the platform. If there is a ticket checker there, he will issue a ticket at the normal price to them.

Either way they can't lose. I am sure IE know that this is the case but they prefer to harrass the fare-paying public to make them think that they have effective revenue protection policy when in fact they don't.

[plant43]

There is no ticket check boarding at most stations, certainly won't get checked at Sallins, Hazelhatch, Clondalkin or Cherry Orchard, in Thurles you won't be checked most of the time.


You can safely add Newbridge to that list.

[Laois Commuter]

Usually with a fire department that won't wash. Exits must be kept unobstructed at all times.



2 seconds per ticket, over 400 people on a train. Those at the back are going to get delayed by almost quarter of an hour.





When I saw them, there were four checkers on the gates (p3/4), plus a table set up in the wide central gap with money being extracted. 15 mins divided by 4 is just less than four minutes. I was at the back of the train, and was thorugh in about three. In the grand scheme of things, not a huge delay - and satsfaction as a fare payer seeing thieves caught.

LC