Fare evasion must be rife in the evenings

[grainne whale]

Originally Posted by Colm Moore

Perhaps one sees very few that get caught. Seeing someone getting caught requires (a) the ticket to be checked (b) the ticket (if present) seen to be invalid (c) this to be within ear-shot / sight of observers and (d) it has to be obvious (which can be quite subjective) that there is a dispute between passenger and staff member that there is a ticket discrepancy.

I've used about 20 National Rail trains in Britain over the last few years and invariably have had my ticket checked - a mix of at stations and on-board, sometimes both.

Yes, I've travelled extensively in UK, Spain and Italy and tickets are checked as you say, however IR prefer not to use ticket checkers and use 'ambush tactics' instead. Surely it is more effective to employ ticket checkers.

[Jamie2k9]

grainne whale

There is certain black spots know around the network, while action is taken many are being stopped, with the increase in RPU checks etc passengers will now think twice about taking the chance.

Personally I believe the fines for fare avoidance need to be revised and what needs to happen is a system similar to the UK, where they start off from €20 + fare and if you name is listed they increase. May not be workable over here but a 60 euro fine and fare is more reasonable.

[grainne whale]

Originally Posted by Jamie2k9

grainne whale

There is certain black spots know around the network, while action is taken many are being stopped, with the increase in RPU checks etc passengers will now think twice about taking the chance.

Personally I believe the fines for fare avoidance need to be revised and what needs to happen is a system similar to the UK, where they start off from €20 + fare and if you name is listed they increase. May not be workable over here but a 60 euro fine and fare is more reasonable.

Ambush tactics are far more expensive and ineffective to run than employing ticket checkers.

[berneyarms]

Originally Posted by grainne whale

Ambush tactics are far more expensive and ineffective to run than employing ticket checkers.

How do you reckon that having a roving RPU staff is more expensive than a ticket checker on every single train?

[grainne whale]

Originally Posted by berneyarms

How do you reckon that having a roving RPU staff is more expensive than a ticket checker on every single train?

They travel in droves 10/15 in number often on expensive overtime rates, they operate on a hit and miss basis. A ticket checker will be familiar with regular passengers and be far more effective in catching fare evaders, then issue a €500 fine, that will certainly solve the problem of fare evasion

[berneyarms]

Originally Posted by grainne whale

They travel in droves 10/15 in number often on expensive overtime rates, they operate on a hit and miss basis. A ticket checker will be familiar with regular passengers and be far more effective in catching fare evaders, then issue a €500 fine, that will certainly solve the problem of fare evasion

I suspect that the RPU staff work on shifts - so overtime wouldn't arise.

[Mark Gleeson]

There are no overtime or premium payments.

Normal team is 3 when onboard, at a large scale station check it could be up to 20 (half of which are management drafted in either on there way to or from there office job)

The rate of detection has increased significantly in recent months and while most will not believe it many of the checks on intercity services are intelligence driven. We can't reveal how this works, but there are internal controls which mean the RPU team are notified in advance of possible high risk trains.

Compared to Luas, Irish Rail fare evasion detection is poor.