Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What do you do if you don't get asked for a train ticket by the conductor?

60 replies

PiperChapstick · 10/12/2015 17:56

On days where DH needs car I catch the train to work. It's 10p more for a return ticket as it is for a single (around £10). On the morning train they always ask for tickets, so I buy a return, but the evening train back the conductor NEVER comes round for some reason. Today I got a lift in to work and just got train back, so didn't actually pay for a ticket as conductor never came round. AIBU? DM says I should have chased the conductor down when the train stopped to pay for it (which is what she has done many times). WWYD?

Before anyone asks, the two trains go to same places on the same tracks (10 minute journey each way) but are run by different providers which may explain why they have different stances on asking for tickets!

OP posts:
rollonthesummer · 10/12/2015 17:59

Can't you buy a ticket from the ticket machine before you get in the train?

poocatcherchampion · 10/12/2015 18:00

^^ is the expected behaviour in the UK.

songbird · 10/12/2015 18:02

Not all stations have a ticket machine. I wouldn't worry, personally.

MultishirkingAgain · 10/12/2015 18:05

So you travelled without buying a ticket? It's a version of stealing, I'd have thought.

squoosh · 10/12/2015 18:07

You didn't get on the train with the intention of defrauding so if I were you I'd just think of it as a little gift from the universe. An apology from the train gods if you will for the many times your train has no doubt been delayed.

As for chasing a conductor down the train? Nope. I would not do that.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 10/12/2015 18:07

If there is a ticket machine or manned station on your route, you'll be fined heavily if you're ever caught. You are not supposed to wait for the conductor to buy a ticket. Having no conductor is not a valid reason to travel without a ticket.

Original poster
PiperChapstick · 10/12/2015 18:08

The station I leave work from doesn't have a ticket machine. In the morning I buy one at my hometown station if there isn't a queue (there almost always is, only one machine)

OP posts:
balletgirlmum · 10/12/2015 18:09

I wouldn't chase the conductor down the train.

I once got on at an unmanned station without a ticket machine. I had to change at Crewe & they just sold me a ticket from there onwards.

Graciescotland · 10/12/2015 18:10

I wouldnt worry tbh Im sure it averages out; ever bought a return ticket and then ended up getting a lift home?

ScOffasDyke · 10/12/2015 18:10

It's a criminal offence, and you will get caught

liz70 · 10/12/2015 18:10

You could take a chance but you are expected to have a valid ticket for your journey, inspector or not. Either from the ticket office or machine before you board, or from the inspector/conductor on the train. If you're unable to buy your ticket beforehand then if an inspector gets on, you just buy it on the train, if not, you ride for free; it's the rail company's problem if they don't check passengers. The only issue would be if you had the opportunity to purchase a ticket before travel but didn't; then you risk being fined if an inspector gets on, depending on the rail company policy.

hopelesslydevotedtoGu · 10/12/2015 18:18

Frankly, many train services run diabolical services whilst will making healthy profits, so I wouldn't worry about occasionally not going out your way to buy a ticket.

hopelesslydevotedtoGu · 10/12/2015 18:20

I do always buy a ticket, but if there wasn't a machine and the conductor didn't come round I wouldn't chase him down.

Sharoncatastrophe · 10/12/2015 18:20

"It's a criminal offence, and you will get caught"

But she didn't get caught? Hmm
I don't think I'd worry too much. If there is no machine and no conductor what are you supposed to do?

BathtimeFunkster · 10/12/2015 18:25

I would have done the same.

In fact, I mightn't even have noticed.

I often forget to buy my ticket on the train on my way to work and then have to queue up and get it once I arrive at the station.

So much more convenient to just buy it from the conductor on the way, but I still keep doing it. Hmm

NotMeNotYouNotAnyone · 10/12/2015 18:27

No machine and no conductor is just a little tiny freebie for the many delays and cancellations train passengers endure!

People who are saying its stealing are ridiculous OP would buy a ticket if she had the opportunity to, the train company obviously don't care that much about her money since they don't intend to collect it!

LaurieLemons · 10/12/2015 18:29

It's a civil offence, not a criminal one and you can simply pay for a ticket there and then if a ticket inspector does get on one afternoon, you just say there was a very long wait at the ticket machine sorry. I wouldn't dream of chasing down a ticket inspector in order to pay for my ticket Confused.

IHaveBrilloHair · 10/12/2015 18:33

Freebie timeGrin

shinynewusername · 10/12/2015 18:33

If there is nowhere to buy a ticket at a station, so the expectation is that you buy from the ticket inspector and s/he doesn't appear, then I wouldn't feel obliged to seek one out. In that situation, you haven't broken the rules. If, OTOH, you could have bought a ticket at the station but didn't because running late or something, then you should actively try to pay on the train, even if the inspector doesn't appear.

BrianButterfield · 10/12/2015 18:33

I used to get a train where the absolute norm was to buy a ticket from the conductor. On the odd occasions they didn't check tickets I thought WAHEY QUIDS IN! I never intentionally didn't buy one, but I'm not running down the train looking for him.

BrianButterfield · 10/12/2015 18:34

(I never saw anyone else chasing the conductor down either).

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 10/12/2015 18:57

You do nothing! Enjoy the free journey.

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 10/12/2015 18:58

It's a criminal offence, and you will get caught

I think you didn't read the posts properly

liz70 · 10/12/2015 19:56

If there was a staffed ticket office at your station then legally speaking you are supposed to buy a ticket even if there is a queue, but it really depend on how arsey the company policy is if you get caught travelling without, or even how ready an individual inspector is to enforce it. It's down to you if you wish to risk it.

specialsubject · 10/12/2015 21:00

it's theft, obviously. You are getting a service you didn't pay for.

the rest of us pay so say 'thank you'.

MN doesn't see theft from big business as theft but I do and so does the law. Still theft if you didn't get caught.

don't call the cops if you get burgled if this is your attitude.