Your interactions with Translink Officers

[p858snake]

Come on, share your stories of good and bad about translink officers.

Most of the time they are fine and hardly ever speak, However one time at the very start of the year I was on a train where the carriage was full-ish (couple of people standing, mostly students like myself, a few seats empty) basically the TO told the elderly lady she had to stand because she was on a concessional ticket, I politely interrupted (Excuse me, but i couldn't help to overhear....) and informed said parties that no concessional tickets don't have to stand and he was getting confused with concessional-students and that she was also located in priority seating clearly designated as being for elderly passengers.

The reply I got told by the officer "F*** Off, Your a student and don't know anything, Interrupt again and I will fine you", needless to say i was not going to be threaten like that but a older gentlemen, who based on his suit and staff id badge stepped in and pointed out that i was indeed correct and pointed some other legalse stuff out and "settled" the matter.

After i got off at my station and informed the station attendee, I was informed I wasn't the only one that complained and that they would pass it on for me.

Unfortunately i never got around to ringing up translink directly about it, especially now that i think about if no one was around to defend the said person....

[O_128]

TOs are pointless we should be training more police officers for a dediicated 24 hour service not like the current real police tem which is made up of 14 people.

[ButFli]

I have never had a problem with trannies or police. Sometimes I wonder if people put themselves into these situations.

No offence, but I find it very difficult to believe that anyone would ask an elderly woman to stand. Even if it was the rules.

[brismike]

I don't use the train much these days since the threatened strike last year . . but when I do the one thing I don't like about the Transit officers is the way they congregate in bunches of about 6 or 7 at Fortitude valley Station and look at you like you are a criminal when you go through the barriers. They definitely need to go on a customer relations course and also learn how to smile occasionally. 

[ozbob]

I have observed TOs booking and/or warning folks without tickets many times.  Have always been professional in their manner as so I have observed.

One day I assisted a passenger who had collapsed from the crush on a very heavily overloaded 6.44 am ex Oxley and was soon assisted by TOs at Roma St.  No worries there either.

They could laugh a bit more, but then again not everyone goes around laughing all day I suppose   

Much prefer to see them out on the network than at gated stations though. 

[longboi]

TOs are pointless we should be training more police officers for a dediicated 24 hour service not like the current real police tem which is made up of 14 people.

Rail Squad has 14 members? Whats your source?

As for TOs, you'll find most are great but there are always the few bitter ones and they are always the ones who seem to attract all the bad attention.

Just keep in mind, though, if your job was dealing with angry/abusive/disturbed people without any fancy equipmement or quick back-up like Police, where you can lose your job for defending yourself and not to mention poor management you would find it hard to be cheery 100% of the time too.

[Derwan]

As at 14 September 2009, there were 110 Transit Officers and 54 members of the Rail Squad.   

(Source: CRG presentation by Amanda Dewar, Principal Security Adviser, QR)

[stephenk]

TOs are pointless we should be training more police officers for a dediicated 24 hour service not like the current real police tem which is made up of 14 people.

When you quote figures, please use sources, as opposed to pulling figures out of your posterior. 

[WTN]

I've seen TO's having a nice chat and laugh with passengers on a few occasions.  That was after checking tickets.  But there were a few cases where they boarded and tickets went unchecked and another case where they stood around an ungated station and just chatted with their colleagues.  I wondered why they didn't board any service as I waited for mine or check any tickets from detraining passengers.  Maybe their mere presence was enough to send warnings to potential fare evaders.

So there appears to be quite positive stories about TO's, but at the same time, there's certainly room for improvement.  I also noticed that there's a TO vacancy advertised on QR's website.  Anyone want to make a difference?

[longboi]

I've seen TO's having a nice chat and laugh with passengers on a few occasions.  That was after checking tickets.  But there were a few cases where they boarded and tickets went unchecked and another case where they stood around an ungated station and just chatted with their colleagues.  I wondered why they didn't board any service as I waited for mine or check any tickets from detraining passengers.  Maybe their mere presence was enough to send warnings to potential fare evaders.

Believe it or not, their job isn't just checking tickets. They can be sent to trouble spots to provide a uniformed presence, be waiting for a specific train to remove someone or conducting an operation targeting specific things (i.e. track crossing).

[WTN]

Believe it or not, their job isn't just checking tickets. They can be sent to trouble spots to provide a uniformed presence, be waiting for a specific train to remove someone or conducting an operation targeting specific things (i.e. track crossing).

Ah, I get it now.  I know they don't just check tickets, but didn't think of the things mentioned above.  Makes sense.

[justanotheruser]

As for TOs, you'll find most are great but there are always the few bitter ones and they are always the ones who seem to attract all the bad attention.

Just keep in mind, though, if your job was dealing with angry/abusive/disturbed people without any fancy equipmement or quick back-up like Police, where you can lose your job for defending yourself and not to mention poor management you would find it hard to be cheery 100% of the time too.

I won't excuse any TO for rude behaviour because of this. If someone annoys you and you need to take it out on someone then take it out on the person who p%ssed  you off not others. I can say this with authority as I have worked in customer service my entire life and have been abused by people of all ages and backgrounds.  Very rarely did I ever respond in anger to the individual but rather used simple stress relief methods so no person would cop abuse from me. Occasionly I have lost my cool with a person but i never took that out on others.

[justanotheruser]

I would like to acknowledge that most TO's do a good job.

in one case however on the first train of the morning I did not have a ticket as the machine was unable to sell me one (ticket window closed). The TO told me I should get a GO card instead. I pointed out that I would be paying more with a card. He responded by saying I don't make the rules I just enforce them. Later that day I saw the same TO at my work. He put the wrong fuel in the QR vechile which meant the fuel card would not work. He didn't want to pay for it himself as it was not his vechile. I simply told him if he didn't pay we would have to call the police and charge him. I then said I don't make the rules I just follow them and reminded him he had said that to me that morning. I then made arrangements for payment to be made at a later date. Hopefully he learnt a bit of flexibility can help.

[WTN]

in one case however on the first train of the morning I did not have a ticket as the machine was unable to sell me one (ticket window closed). The TO told me I should get a GO card instead. I pointed out that I would be paying more with a card. He responded by saying I don't make the rules I just enforce them. Later that day I saw the same TO at my work. He put the wrong fuel in the QR vechile which meant the fuel card would not work. He didn't want to pay for it himself as it was not his vechile. I simply told him if he didn't pay we would have to call the police and charge him. I then said I don't make the rules I just follow them and reminded him he had said that to me that morning. I then made arrangements for payment to be made at a later date. Hopefully he learnt a bit of flexibility can help.

Hahaha, what comes around goes around.  But since when did passengers have to use a go card when it's not possible to buy a paper ticket (and vice versa)?  Did you get fined?

[STB]

Not quite a TO, Rail Squad actually, but still did the same thing, checking tickets.  Yesterday, on my way home from Bundamba, about 4 officers boarded and when I presented my Go Card they questioned who it was and if it had my name on it.  I pulled it out and showed them, told them it was a Go Card, they sort of huffed off and ignored it.

Hmmm.....

[p858snake]

in one case however on the first train of the morning I did not have a ticket as the machine was unable to sell me one (ticket window closed). The TO told me I should get a GO card instead. I pointed out that I would be paying more with a card. He responded by saying I don't make the rules I just enforce them. Later that day I saw the same TO at my work. He put the wrong fuel in the QR vechile which meant the fuel card would not work. He didn't want to pay for it himself as it was not his vechile. I simply told him if he didn't pay we would have to call the police and charge him. I then said I don't make the rules I just follow them and reminded him he had said that to me that morning. I then made arrangements for payment to be made at a later date. Hopefully he learnt a bit of flexibility can help.

Hahaha, what comes around goes around.  But since when did passengers have to use a go card when it's not possible to buy a paper ticket (and vice versa)?  Did you get fined?

Um you don't have to...... QR themselves have said that if you have issues at a station, just buy the reserve ticket from the station you arrive at.

[QGT]

I have had some problems with the Translink Officers over taking pictures mainly at Roma Street the most of the time its when I have just come off a ARHS Tour but most of the time i don't think the Translink Officers have anything else better to do  . I think there a waste of time and Money they need to learn some people skills and some manners. I Hope one of the Translink Officers reads this as they need to learn Rail Buffs are NOT there to cause trouble were there as we Love Trains and we just want take pics or film a train. And also some Respect!!!!

Cheers,
QRGT

[p858snake]

QR has a copy of their photography policy on their website iirc, just print that out and carry it with you in your camera bag or such.

[STB]

I would probably advise that if they ask you to leave, then just simply leave than putting up a fight.  I have had run in's in the past and in respect I have simply left the station area.   Most times though they are fine with people taking photos, although with Roma Street, due to it's busy nature, it's probably best to not take photos there, or if you do wish to, then use Platform 10 away from the day to day operations of the busy suburban platforms. If you feel that you were talked unjustly to for taking photos then make sure you take it up with QR Corporate.

[QGT]

Thanks for the advise must of the time I'm at Platform 3 but anyways i will just stay away from them

[#Metro]

Silly. You know how many cameras there are on trains, on platforms, at station entries and exits?
It's OK to film and photograph us, not OK to film them.

Ridiculous.

[justanotheruser]

last saturday (24/10) with the sudden problems on the ipswich line I was in a situation where I was trying to get to Ipswich to meet a greyhound coach. By law they could not allow the person to leave without my signing to collect them from the coach. However they wouldn't just wait around either. I approached a TO at the station who was informing people of the problems and explained my situation. He notified his office and phoned greyhound to explain the problem. Between him and greyhound they worked out a solution.

Hahaha, what comes around goes around.  But since when did passengers have to use a go card when it's not possible to buy a paper ticket (and vice versa)?  Did you get fined?

I didn't get fined and wouldn't because it is not the first time this has happened and I am just too stubborn to let them win. I first raised the problem with transinfo in 2001. Transinfo said they were aware of the problem. I consider since translink was formed after that and the new machines were designed after that then it would have been easy to fix the problem so it would never happen again. if they fail to fix problems they are aware of I don't see it as my responsibility. When the off-peak fares come in for GO card it means using the card will be viable rather than way more expensive. At the time I was making five trips each friday starting with the very first train of the morning and finishing with the very last train of the night. None of the trips were within the transfer times.