War on fare dodgers at Basildon station (From Braintree and Witham Times)
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War on fare dodgers at Basildon station
6:20am Monday 30th January 2012 in South Essex news By Gina Marden
Checking tickets – staff at Basildon rail station
TOUGHER security measures at Basildon rail station have been hailed a success after a stream of fare dodgers was caught.
In just a four-week period between November and December security staff and ticket inspectors at Basildon station issued 400 £20 on-the-spot penalty tickets to people travelling without a valid ticket – far more than normal.
The Echo reported in November last year security had been increased at the town centre station after Basildon and Billericay MP John Baron complained to bosses at c2c.
He was outraged when he witnessed a fare dodger pushing his way through the ticket barrier without paying. Mr Baron himself caught up with the man and confronted him, but was shocked station staff didn’t intervene.
However, following talks between the Tory MP and c2c, security staff were brought in specifically to confront and restrain dodgers. They have been cracking down on the problem.
Mr Baron welcomed the news and said the tighter security had proved to be a success.
He said: “Congratulations to c2c for listening and introducing security staff – it’s been a success.
“Customers will benefit because fare dodgers push up fares for everyone else.”
Julian Drury, managing director of C2C added: “We take all matters of fare evasion and ticket misuse very seriously and we have been pleased to introduce this successful initiative at Basildon.”
Comments(13)
fletch12107
says...
7:38am Mon 30 Jan 12
EssexBoy1968
says...
8:44am Mon 30 Jan 12
Nebs wrote:Perhaps, but the criminal record you get will not help your chances of continued employment will it?
Annual season ticket over £2,000. Fine £20. If you will be caught less than 100 times a year then it works out cheaper to pay the fines.
EssexBoy1968
says...
8:55am Mon 30 Jan 12
So, the dodgers now just walk towards the end of the platform, climb over the railings & walk down the slope onto the road opposite Trafford House (at least on the London bound side, the other side would be opposite the market).
I would suggest C2C get their staff onto the platforms, & also ensure that they do check tickets. All too often at Westcliff I see dodgers walking up to the staff informing them they didn't buy a ticket, & pushing their way through the gate. The staff just let them go, & don't even make a note of the time to be able to look at the CCTV footage later. I realise everyone is scared following the stabbing of an inspector last month, but just letting these people get away with it is not the answer.
boyracer_20yrs old
says...
9:03am Mon 30 Jan 12
Elephantman2
says...
11:37am Mon 30 Jan 12
BUM-GRAVY
says...
1:07pm Mon 30 Jan 12
IN A FEW YEARS WHEN THE WORKING MAN HAS HAD ENOUGH EVERYONE WILL BE AVOIDING PAYING! STRENGTH IN NUMBERS!
PS. TICKET INSPECTORS WILL MORE WILLINGLY FINE A WORKING MAN IN A SUIT THAN YOUNG LADS IN TRACKSUITS! YOU THINK THATS FARE!? (PUN INTENDED AND SO ARE THE CAPS!)
ExBasildonBoy
says...
1:35pm Mon 30 Jan 12
And yet I've seen 4+ ticket inspectors waiting at the gates, maybe they should position some of those inspectors outside the station or at the ends of the platforms.
I've also seen them get off at Laindon and climb up onto the platform stairs to avoid the ticket barriers. Its possible even with the extra panels in place.
The reason the track-suited 'lads' get away with it is they are more likely to react violently when confronted than someone wearing a suit.
It's rubbish to blame ticket prices for all fare-dodging, I see in people avoid paying all the time in London on the Buses and DLR, not because they can't afford it, but because its easy and they would rather spend the money on fags and drink.
echoreader1
says...
2:04pm Mon 30 Jan 12
VANGE LES
says...
2:05pm Mon 30 Jan 12
EssexBoy1968 wrote:Probably the fare-dodgers are unemployed, and have no intention of ever getting a job, so in that case they are almost certainly not too bothered about a criminal record.
Nebs wrote: Annual season ticket over £2,000. Fine £20. If you will be caught less than 100 times a year then it works out cheaper to pay the fines.Perhaps, but the criminal record you get will not help your chances of continued employment will it?
Smagport
says...
3:19pm Mon 30 Jan 12
VANGE LES wrote:Does the £20 Fixed Penalty count as a conviction? My immediate thought was that it wouldn't but perhaps someone who knows can enlighten me.
EssexBoy1968 wrote:Probably the fare-dodgers are unemployed, and have no intention of ever getting a job, so in that case they are almost certainly not too bothered about a criminal record.
Nebs wrote: Annual season ticket over £2,000. Fine £20. If you will be caught less than 100 times a year then it works out cheaper to pay the fines.Perhaps, but the criminal record you get will not help your chances of continued employment will it?
heartbeat
says...
3:22pm Mon 30 Jan 12
Errrr, unfortunately I suspect it would be rail company fat-cats at the top whose back pockets would feel the benefit if there were less fare dodgers, not "customers"! Cynical? Who me?? Why ever might that be? "We're all in this together"...
Trainman
says...
12:09am Wed 1 Feb 12
Barriers SHOULD be installed at EVERY station in the country, and to a height so dodgers CAN'T jump over them, plus all possible 'other' exits, made impossible to get through, to or from the platforms.
I have NO sympathy for any dodger hurt. As for staff not confronting them, the back-up I personally experienced was VERY little, assaulted 8 times, with only One resulting in me going to hospital.
Nebs says...
7:31am Mon 30 Jan 12