Sounds like you had a bad experience. How do solicitors know they'll win or not if they don't look at a case?

Luckily our main rep was a qualified solicitor so he knew his stuff. The main reason why external unions are better is because they aren't in management's pocket (yet). A union is only as good as the people in it so if the reps are bad then the whole union is bad.

Good luck Mr and Mrs Surreyguy. Give them hell!

I remember I was drug tested at my pre-employment medical (I am a bus driver so it's in the interest of public safety) and I remember the chain of custody thing. It was gone through step by step and ticked off. They even explained that this was to make sure the test was fair, and that the sample must NOT leave my sight until the bag is sealed, and the carbon copy of the sheet was given to me like a receipt, if you like.

I really hope the decision goes your way

Are you in a union? I know some are not very good but seriously go for either Unite or the GMB. If they are external they'll help you with legal assistance and any disciplinary action. The GMB came into our workplace and sent in a solicitor to several attendance disciplinaries and practically kicked management round the office.

Spot-on, that's the procedure and yes, I know the route and believe me, most of the on train staff hate those stations as much as the vast majority of the travelling public.

Lol I don't blame you. I came along it earlier today... I know Fishersgate station is in a section of line known as "Bomb Alley" due to the missiles thrown at trains near there.

Yes, laughingly called the 5p 'insurance certificate' amongst Revenue Staff.

 

As SRPO says accepted first time and within 2 hours, but if the traveller with a 5p permit does not have the with them acceptable means of payment of the remainer of the fare on demand at the time of travel, then that is a definite case for prosecution as many have found out.

Basically if you have any more coins, as ISTR Permit to travel machines do not take notes. If you put all your coinage in you've paid as much as possible. Sounds like you've seen it many times. I only asked as it'll clarify things on here for quite a lot of people. eg if your fare is £2.60 and you have a fiver and 60p, you put the 60p in the machine and then give the fiver to the conductor with the PTT. Happens a lot down here as many stations are those horrible chav infested prefabricated halts that no-one likes going from, and all that's there are Permit to travel machines. If you've ever travelled the West Coastway line you'll know what I mean

Ok..Fair point...I perhaps shouldnt of put 'not rude', I meant under no obligation to be a happy cheery person first thing in the morning, you seem to forget that very often us poor commuters are treated quite badly at times, endless fare increases, packed onto trains like cattle, late trains, lack of communication, etc...and also as the OP pointed out staff who are sometimes far from friendly and helpful.

 

Andy

I'd like to meet anyone who is happy and cheery first thing. Especially on a Monday.

I am a bus driver and I see the same sort of thing all the time. Although to be fair many passengers here are OK there are the odd one or two. And as for the trains, when I use my pass anywhere on Southern the gateline staff see "Go-Ahead" on the ticket and are usually fairly polite to me. I've never had a problem with them.

Incidentally, does the 5p in the permit to travel machine thing mean the gate staff have to accept the difference if the person gets caught, rather than issue a penalty fare?

I say break up the monster banks like HSBC and Barclays. That way if one collapses it doesn't completely screw the economy.

Yes, I share a nostalgic view of railways too, but now we have to recognise the reality of today's railway.

 

That means that on commuter routes, in general, trains are something like twice as fast, twice as frequent and three times more crowded, not to mention more expensive and despite all that, they are still nowhere near acceptable for many people

Heh if I had my way it would still be 1975... Proper trains (ie loco hauled and painted blue) on long haul routes, the old pink pasteboard tickets, semaphore signals, level crossings with proper gates, proper freight trains, black grey and white painted buildings, those orange curtains in train windows (remember them?) Restaurant cars, comfy seats with deep cushions and wood panelling in a compartment, Interesting stuff to see out of the windows... The list goes on. I'll take my nostalgic glasses off now

Nowadays the TOCs seem to hate the thought of a non-passenger even looking at a train

Scaff. Have you got a receipt for paying direct to the court? You could use that (get a couple of photocopies) and show it to any bailiffs who turn up. Also you should video their reaction and post a link to the video. I could do with a laugh...

Incidentally, what is the minimum value ptt a ticket inspector will take, as if you stick 5p in there then give the inspector on the barrier at the other end the remaining value will a penalty fare still apply? I ask this because I have seen it done before now, and the argument was that since there was a ptt then all the guard could do was issue a ticket not a penalty fare. Could be a good get-out clause there.

Cut off the clamp and throw it in the river

By doing that you're showing a willingness to pay. No court will send you to prison for trying to pay up, and like I say to people, find out if you can pay via their website, as that way you can get a printable receipt which you probably can't get over the phone.

If I get behind with council tax i just pay via their website. It gets accepted electronically so they get no choice. Also it means you can print off e-receipts so if they then take you to court you can just turn up with the receipts saying here's the proof.

I think there ought to be a lot of sales of door chains after reading this forum...

I saw him on Mock The Week. Brilliant!

Cue much gloating from Angela Knight and her merry band of knniggits

Barstewards...

What next, Europe?

Got home from shopping today (Saturday) to find a piece of paper through the door headed Marston group. Hight Court Enforcement Officers with the title

 

Removal Notice on it and my name and an account number.

 

Thr next bits were blank where it said:

 

Due to:

Fees Incurred today:

Amount to be paid imemdiately.

 

Below that there was the name of an enforcement agent and his mobile number.

 

I googled Marsden and spoke to a girl there who informed me I owed some council tax money on an apartment from 2005, which is true.

 

However, up until May this year I had been paying it back direct to the council at an agreed rate of £120 and had paid off masses of it. Then, I got behind with a couple of payments due to baby/wedding/funeral costs and then this today.

 

No warning letter saying the bailiff would call. Marsden Group insist they sent me a letter saying it was passed to them which is untrue and I have had nothing forewarning of this visit, so I'm after advice.

 

I'm quite happy to restart the payment plan with the Council to get it all done with but I'd really rather not pay the bailliff.

 

I called his mobile and he "helpfully" agreed to meet me at my house on Monday after he had spoken to the council because he didn't even know the amount he was collecting for, he was talking about Walking Possession etc...

 

Now having read a few forums I don't think I am going to let him in and will meet him outside, would this be prudent?

 

He said they normally want three repayments on a payment plan but he would try and do something more reasonable with it being Christmas etc. To be fair, he was fine on the phone and perfectly pleasant.

 

I intend to speak to the council first thing Monday and ask if I can continue to pay through them...does anybody know if this will be possible or once it has been handed over to the bailiffs is that it?

 

If the council refuse what is my best course of action with this guy.

 

Fully happy to pay the debt, just I may not be able to pay it under the terms they will prob want.

 

Any advice greatfully received guys..

 

thanks in advance...

If they refuse just use their automated payment system. They can do sweet FA about it and they'd have to call off the bailiff.

They do have to register the bankruptcy. It drops off your file after 6 years though.

Don't you mean competition?

Down here (Brighton, that is) we have a particular ticket called an Explorer which is a council thing, which means you can use any bus from any company in the whole of Sussex for £7. That must be the equivalent of that Multibus ticket you mentioned.

Well due to exactly the problem of not having any real means of complaining, a solution to the problem has been found. Have a read of the link below.

 

First Bus Complaints

 

1 - Contact us and give us the driver number on our website, we will submit the complaint under our driver watch scheme, where there is an easily searchable database where you can check by driver number other sins. First Bus will be able to do this too.

 

2 - Leave comments about subjects that are annoying you most about First Bus.

 

3 - Read the latest news on what has been going on with First Bus.

 

We also do campaigns about issues that are on the minds of first bus customers, so you can submit ideas to us too.

 

In order to make a change, we need to get together in big numbers. I have done this sort of thing before in different industries and it has worked. So please bookmark the link and keep coming back, and if you have something to say, say it, leave a comment.

 

Also we have a facebook group

 

Due to the popular use of Google, you can bet their are drivers and even executives reading. And if we make a big enough noise, changes will have to come.

So you're with F**ked group? Don't get caught reading the Bloodbus in the canteen lol

First in Glasgow have been after this guy after a blog he did and they still haven't caught him (he stayed anonymous). Still it gave us all a laugh.

I'm also a bus (not coach, unlike Spicester lol) driver so if anyone has any questions I'll also try and help.

One of the drivers I work with was a doorstep collector for them. Apparently Moorcroft send out a big wodge of paperwork, so much you couldn't possibly get through it all in your spare time. He said everyone was saying "How could you do that?" and he was like "I was desperate for the money". Then he quit and became a bus driver. I know 3 guys at work now who have done debt collecting and their advice was just don't open the door. Also the guy who taught me to drive a bus is a certificated bailiff. He had a few things to say about bailiff law (like how it works...) And he also told me that when they get the certificate they have to go and see a judge in chambers who asks them questions on what they can and can't do, like when they can enter a property. Useful info could be had here, methinks...

Hey you could even get a mass letter to one of the tabloid papers and embarrass the DCAs too...

It'd take a lot of people though

That's the plan. I'll send it off tomorrow and let you guys know any developments. Barstewards that they are. To Hell with the lot of them...

Ooh I do love the new combined scanner/photocopier/printer I've got now