Fare fraudsters mean misery for youngsters
Bus boss slams ticket cheats
Bus chiefs have slammed fare fraudsters for forcing them to issue stricter checks on children’s tickets.
Travel provider McGill’s said their young customers are now “caught up in a problem that is not of their making,” as the company gears up to make drastic changes in a bid to curb ticket fraud.
The bus company’s demand that all youngsters over 11 carry ID has received online backlash from parents who fear that their children will be left stranded if they fail to present valid identification.
Youngsters under 16 will now only have their child’s ticket validated if they can provide proof of age when asked by drivers.
The decision to request ID will be enforced on October 22, but online controversy already suggests that drivers are taking drastic measures to ensure youngsters without ID won’t travel.
Parents have taken to social media in their droves to share stories of their children being forced to buy adult tickets and being refused travel.
Managing director Ralph Roberts told the Express: “Kids under 16 are being caught up in a problem that is not of their making. The problem is that adults are fraudulently using kids tickets to travel and this is the matter at hand. Ultimately, it is up to the driver to ensure that the correct ticket is being used to travel.”
Earlier this month bus bosses issued their bus drivers with a savage warning, threatening job cuts if the fare fraudsters could not be stopped.
In a letter to his staff, dated September 10, Roberts told drivers: “Today it’s costing you money; next it will cost jobs”.
The letter also stated it was the responsibility of staff to properly police buying of tickets on the McGill’s app, despite drivers not directly dispensing these tickets to customers.
“It has become increasingly clear that there is rampant ticket fraud and fare evasion going on within our network,” it reads.
“The single biggest problem is the use of child tickets by adults on mobile. This problem is easy to spot but it takes you, the driver, to deal with it on the spot.
“We will be introducing fines for those caught and will be removing their mobile accounts so that they have to pay with cash. Additionally, and unfortunately, when detected, they will recommend that the driver concerned is dismissed. This is a last resort.”
Bosses also revealed that ticket fraud was the reason that a pay rise was not awarded to staff in the summer.
“Revenue has been falling dramatically and the lion’s share of it is due to the wrong value tickets being used. This is the reason that a pay rise was not awarded this summer. In short, fare evasion and ticket fraud is now costing you money.
“What I ask is that: you play your part, collect the correct fare and make sure that abuse of electronic tickets isn’t happening. Today it’s costing you money; next it will cost jobs.”
The communication from the company’s bosses was sent privately to staff, with one driver posting the letter on social media.
Days later, on September 14, McGill’s posted to their Facebook page telling customers that stringent checks would be put in place soon. The company quickly removed the post following backlash from dozens of concerned parents.
Now the bus giant has said it’s unfortunate that children have been caught up in the problem, but maintained that all kids over 11 must carry identification before travelling.
The statement reads: “Some high school aged kids, when out of uniform, can be difficult for drivers to gauge if they are under or over 16 and it is these secondary-aged pupils that we ask to carry their Young Scot card as proof of age so that they can make their journey.”
They added that Young Scot cards were issued to all children over 11 for free “so there is no cost disadvantage to carrying one”.
“The child discount is a benefit, willingly provided by the company and we must be afforded a reasonable chance to police this benefit against abuse,” the statement continues.
“McGill’s has a very attractive child ticket offering and our industry leading ‘Get Around for a £1’ offer is in place at every school holiday period.
“We view kids as our adult customers of the future and would like to hope that they understand the need, on a small minority of occasions, that there is minor inconvenience in order to protect that benefit that others are abusing.
“These checks will be made from October 22 this year.”
Ultimately it is up to the driver to ensure that the correct ticket is being used to travel