Was I unreasonable to dob someone in?

[VulvicMineralWater]

NC as this might be quite outing.

I commute to work on the train. I get on at stop A and off at stop D, both of which have ticket barriers. I always buy a ticket when I travel.

Stops B and C don't have ticket barriers.

A man got on at Stop B. The inspector came around asking for anyone who got on at Stop B. The inspector was very visible and called out "Stop B passengers" loudly enough for everyone to hear. The man didn't have headphones in. Yet, the man didn't show his ticket.

So, as the inspector passed I pointed out the man and said he'd got on at Stop B. Inspector then went to check his ticket and what a surprise the man didn't have one.

The man called me an interfering bitch. Meh, yeah, that's pretty accurate but it fucks me off that people feel as though buying a ticket is optional. It's not. You're using a service, you need to pay for it.

So was I unreasonable to dob this guy in?

Brill post Nettle

Theft (or fraud ) is theft (or fraud) and it's as simple as that. People who dodge fares put the costs upper everyone, in the same way that shoplifters do, and people who make false insurance claims. It is not a "victimless" crime just because it is against an organisation.

And the people who suffer most are the ones with the least money because they are the ones who have the least choice as regards their transport. When services are reduced or withdrawn altogether, they are the ones who can least afford to take another option.

*up for, not upper

With regards to train companies, fares and profits - the national rail company here in Finland lowered its prices last year (think it was last year) and it was just in the news that its profits went up quite a bit, so raising ticket prices isn't necessarily the best way for a train company to make up for losses/increase its profits. Bet more people would be willing to pay for a ticket if the prices weren't ridiculous.

I'm afraid I don't see it as being applause worthy. Yes some like the Hedge Fund banker take the piss. I can't get annoyed at what other people do though, I really don't think it impacts me. From someone stealing a loaf of bread to someone boarding a train without their fare, I can't get worked up at the decisions others make.

For all you know they could be travelling to see a sick relative. Have no money. I have this thing called empathy, plus karma, I can't go yay OP you're a super star, for riling someone up.

I can impact on other people fairy. Just because you can't see it doesn't the mean it victimless.

I ignore everything except animal cruelty. I don't want to be knifed to death.

I mean yeah, why does this even concern you?

A train costs (more or less) the same amount to run however many passengers are aboard. There are many reasons for price hikes, like train operating companies profiteering, fines for delays, inflation etc. I think if someone wants to risk not paying for a ticket it's their lookout, unless their presence is causing others discomfort.

A train costs (more or less) the same amount to run however many passengers are aboard

While this is true, I wonder how people can use such an argument with a straight face.

Someone has to pay for the train to run.
It is very different if the train is empty, with just a few paying people, full of paying people or full of non paying people.
Each person travelling without a ticket is doing so because the paying people are the ones enabling the train to run.

lweji an empty argument I'll agree..but what it does spotlight is the cause for the entire infrastructure and rolling stock to be brought back into nationalisation, because TOC's are obviously profit- orientated, and this is fairly unworkable when you have peak hours,.and empty trains running all day to timetables.. although not relevant to this thread.

Dobbing someone in? Are you from Home and Away circa 1990 OP?

Crunchy

I would never do what you did but you were not wrong.

Law-abiding ticket buyers pay more because of fare dodgers. Obviously.

I'd think good on you for dobbing him in but I'd probably not do it myself. Well not unless I could do it subtly. 👀

People get more worked up about this kind of stuff than they do about dodgy politicans and tax evasion and stuff.

In my opinion, it's a drop in the ocean and I don't care if someone else wants to freeload.

He shouldn't have called you a bitch though.

Busy body