Inspection blitz uncovers widespread free travel pass fraud

James Howard · 08-01-2014, 13:33

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 · 08-01-2014, 14:11

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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 · 08-01-2014, 14:16

Quote:

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 · 08-01-2014, 16:43

Quote:

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.

James Howard · 08-01-2014, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by ocian

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.

By the same token, of all the countries in Europe, with the possible exception of England, Ireland has the highest proportion of aggressive and downright rude individuals among the general population.

As I said before, this is the first time I've ever seen RPU staff on a train and I thought their behaviour was reasonable. I can't speak for the wider experience as I personally think it is absurd how rarely my ticket is checked by either rude or nice staff.

AD11 · 09-01-2014, 10:12

I really have no problem with them being 'assertive' with people who have no ticket / wrong ticket / someone elses free pass etc etc etc. In fact I am often delighted to see the offenders nabbed and put in their place.

However, I do not think they should be quite so 'assertive' in their manner to us 'law abiding' passengers with valid tickets.

There has to be a happy medium.

laoisfan · 10-01-2014, 13:33

Hi

Got on the commuter train this morning at Portlaoise to Park West with a mate of mine. Two inspectors also got on. When train had started my mate realised he had left his annual ticket at home.

Around Hazelhatch they decided to do ticket checks. My mate says (very politely) good morning and that he has left his annual ticket at home and he does not have the cash to pay for a ticket. He tells them he is getting off at Park West. He then asks can they issue him with a fine. The inspector looks at me and I just shrug and confirm he does have an annual pass (which he does). The inspector says fair enough and proceeds to have a chat (he recognises me from going up/down from Ballybrophy). He (or his mate) do not issue my mate with a fine. For about 3-5 minutes they chat with us and then wish us a good day. These two guys do the Limerick route I believe.

Both were very nice, extremely polite.

My mate was shocked they did not issue a fine.

Jamie2k9 · 10-01-2014, 14:22

Would say the main area of concern to IE is adults/students on child tickets, students without ID, pass holders without ID and the general excuses about tickets.

You mate got lucky (expect you are to thank for that) and admitting straight away and not making up excuse after excuse helps.

Question now is will your mate purchase a return ticket when returning or take the chance.

09-01-2014, 10:12	#6
AD11 New to the board Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Westmeath Posts: 29	I really have no problem with them being 'assertive' with people who have no ticket / wrong ticket / someone elses free pass etc etc etc. In fact I am often delighted to see the offenders nabbed and put in their place. However, I do not think they should be quite so 'assertive' in their manner to us 'law abiding' passengers with valid tickets. There has to be a happy medium. __________________ I can't remember the last day I didn't train.

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08-01-2014, 13:33	#1
James Howard Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sligo Line Posts: 1,115	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.

10-01-2014, 13:33	#7
laoisfan Regular Poster Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lovely Laois Posts: 100	Hi Got on the commuter train this morning at Portlaoise to Park West with a mate of mine. Two inspectors also got on. When train had started my mate realised he had left his annual ticket at home. Around Hazelhatch they decided to do ticket checks. My mate says (very politely) good morning and that he has left his annual ticket at home and he does not have the cash to pay for a ticket. He tells them he is getting off at Park West. He then asks can they issue him with a fine. The inspector looks at me and I just shrug and confirm he does have an annual pass (which he does). The inspector says fair enough and proceeds to have a chat (he recognises me from going up/down from Ballybrophy). He (or his mate) do not issue my mate with a fine. For about 3-5 minutes they chat with us and then wish us a good day. These two guys do the Limerick route I believe. Both were very nice, extremely polite. My mate was shocked they did not issue a fine.

10-01-2014, 14:22	#8
Jamie2k9 Really Really Regluar Poster Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 2,146	Would say the main area of concern to IE is adults/students on child tickets, students without ID, pass holders without ID and the general excuses about tickets. You mate got lucky (expect you are to thank for that) and admitting straight away and not making up excuse after excuse helps. Question now is will your mate purchase a return ticket when returning or take the chance.