I hate trains!!!!

I've have just got back from a pleasant three day break in Weston-Super-Mare, only to have it ruined by the trains.

In my stupidity I somehow managed to loose my ticket while changing trains. The ticket inspector then took me off the train and he spent the next 15 minutes asking me for my damn ticket. When he finally realised I had no ticket to give him he calls on his radio for the Police (yes that's right - The Poilce). This guy then tells me I have to pay him £65 there and then for a replacement ticket (the ticket cost £27 by the way). After explaining I did not have £65 and neither did I have it in my debit account, the police officer cautioned me (read my rights) or whatever you call it and told me I could face a fine of up to £1000. After taking down my name and address and making me sign numerous forms, one hour later they let me go.

What really annoys me is that I told them from the start I have the receipts for my original ticket and that I could bring them to the station - but they would not have it. What happens next they don't seem to know, they just said I have to prove to the courts that I had a ticket. Its almost laughable:rolleyes:

where's your ticket.

uhhm. I'll find it in a minute, just go on and ask the others, then come back to me

[quickly jump off the train]

seriously, I just buy mine on the train, and always have enough money on me.

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Originally posted by Acidic
seriously, I just buy mine on the train, and always have enough money on me.

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I got a discount for pre booking - an open return or something:bigyello:

Now why would you hate trains when it's your fault or just a knuckle head who checks the tickets?

Down in Melbourne you have to have a valid ticket before you get on the train, since there aren't any ticket inspectors as such... just guys running around trying to find people to fine.

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Originally posted by Pc_Madness
Down in Melbourne you have to have a valid ticket before you get on the train, since there aren't any ticket inspectors as such... just guys running around trying to find people to fine.

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Still got ticket inspectors, what about the guy who jumped off the train because he didn't have a ticket, got seriously injured and then sued the ticket inspector or someone (not sure if it was successful).

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Originally posted by visualAd
What happens next they don't seem to know, they just said I have to prove to the courts that I had a ticket. Its almost laughable

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Write a letter to the police station enclosing a photo-copy of the receipt and refuse to turn up to court.

our train tickets are too big to lose (+/- 20 to 25 cm long and +/- 8 - 10 cm high) :rolleyes:

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Originally posted by Ideas Man
Still got ticket inspectors, what about the guy who jumped off the train because he didn't have a ticket, got seriously injured and then sued the ticket inspector or someone (not sure if it was successful).

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Yeah, but unless my knowledge of British TV has sent me down the wrong path, they have people that come along on every trip and check everyones ticket or something. Ours is more if they can be arsed to go and fine people, then they will.

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Originally posted by Pc_Madness
Yeah, but unless my knowledge of British TV has sent me down the wrong path, they have people that come along on every trip and check everyones ticket or something. Ours is more if they can be arsed to go and fine people, then they will.

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I travel daily on between Reading and my local station. Not all the trains have ticket inspectors, but there are always ticket inspectors and ticket barriers at Reading. Sometimes they come to my local station (about 15 of them) to catch people out.

The guy that caught me yesterday seemed convinced I was a fare dodger and that I was gonna make a run for it.

Probably the shifty eyes that did it ;)

A £10 bribe may have saved you the trouble you seem to have created.

I offered him £5 - all the cash I had :S

Should have offered him a quickie to pay for the rest? :eek:

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Originally posted by Pc_Madness
Should have offered him a quickie to pay for the rest? :eek:

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:eek: I would rather have spent life in prison.

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Originally posted by visualAd
:eek: I would rather have spent life in prison.

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Suz you don't be giving any quickies in there...

:rolleyes: :eek: :eek:

Usually i'll just say i lost my ticket, and i'm traveling from <station we last stopped at> and pay for a ticket.

one word for them, SCUM. They should be catching really offenders, junkies, trouble makers, murderers etc.

And they SHOULD of taken your reciept.

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Originally posted by Madboy
one word for them, SCUM. They should be catching really offenders, junkies, trouble makers, murderers etc.

And they SHOULD of taken your reciept.

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I have no problem with authority and I am fully aware of the consequences if I don't have a ticket. I tend to be on the careless side and loose things, so this whole mess is my doing.

I think the whole calling the police thing was a little over the top when all the ticket inspector needed to do was let me call my dad and read the numbers on the receipt to him over the phone.

As you said they should be putting their resources into catching those who didn't actually have a ticket in the first place, but then how are they meant to know whos telling the truth?