Lazy bus inspectors

[Emmanana]

Originally posted in chat, then thought about it, and it is probably better off in AIBU....

On the bus home from work tonight, about 8.30, bus half full. Inspector comes upstairs, 'let me check your tickets and oyster cards'. First time I remember an inspector on this route/time for 3/4 years, I'm a regular as regards timing.

He gets to the back of the top deck where I am sitting; and asks the guy opposte me for his ticket. Guy was mid 20's smart casual. Passenger replies 'Oh I chucked it away' Insp replies 'The driver said you refused to buy a ticket. Get off at the next stop or I'll be taking your name and address'
Passenger gets off, Insp sits down on top deck, starts reading an abandoned newspaper.

I took a photo with my photo with my phone, of all the bus details. I really want to contact the bus company with an account of what happened because I am so bloody annoyed.

The bus company would be able corroborate what happened, as they have cctv on both levels. Why bother having inspectors if they ae not doing their jobs? Not only that, is this how we skip fares nowadays? just having the misfortune of getting chucked off the bus (and just waiting for the next one) should an inspector get on (every 3 years or so)
Attributing cuts in buses to fare-dodgers is one thing, but then employing inspectors to take the piss out of fare paying passengers, by being useless, is a double kick in the nuts.
What would you do?
To use an analogy - if you were in Tescos and saw the cashier pocketing notes from the till, would you turn a blind eye?

I wonder if the bus driver had asked specifically for an inspector following the passenger refusing to pay? On a one-person bus (ie, no ticket sellers/conductors as in My Young Day) it's not difficult to know if someone has paid or not - and with (live transmission?) CCTV on board the person watching the CCTV may have sent out an "enforcer".

I wondered that as well, and yes, had the driver refused to go on until the passenger got off, delaying us all, that would have been bloody annoying too. TBH, I don't think the driver should have to put themselves in confrontation with passenger, as London Bus drivers get far too much abuse from piss takers, but when they normally refuse to go on, they normally get shamed by all the passengers moaning, and get off.
Surely they should have two inspectors tackle the fare dodger, and mete the punishment that that they are so keen on advertising on TV/Radio (more money down the drain)

I don't get you here. He asked a passenger for a ticket, he didn't have one. He made him get off the bus.

How is he not doing his job?

why on earth are you so worked upon about this?
a dialogue about ticket, resolved with much fuss.passenger didn't remonstrate at all according to you

but you have hump and want to report the inspector, for ascertaining passenger couldn't prove paid his fare. doh thats the inspector job, deal with unpaid fines

Probably because it was a long hard day at work, and I just wish London transport would stop wasting millions of pounds on tv and radio advertising telling us the penalties for fare dodging when they do arse all about fare dodgers....
Apologies for the rant....
And the fact that the fare dodgers are sticking two fingers up at those too paranoid to dodge as I'd be likely to end up in court who pay fares.

There are posters all over the London Transport system quoting the £50 penalty for not having a valid ticket. (not just getting chucked off the bus, to wait for the next one, as passenger did tonight)
I've had colleagues in the past been made to pay the penalty at the central london stations (before barriers were installed at Suburban stations) if they had left season ticket at home, despite sending photocopies of season ticket in with penalty notice afterward.

But this one incident does not mean the whole campaign isnt working.

Last week I was late for a dentist appt (so alte I had to re book) because my bus was held up for 20 mins while an inspector took the details of someone without a ticket, she argued, he had to keep telling her why neither of her oyster cards were valid....

So does my one experience cancel out yours?

In fact I can think of many times lately that inspectors have got on and checked tickets(though this is the only time recently I've seen anyone get caught) so maybe you are over reacting?

Very possibly over reacting as I said, in my defence, very long day, was working from 7am to 8pm today. Very tired, but having let off steam about it on MN, feel a bit better. Thanks guys..