(14 Jun 2015, 4:31 pm)northern156 wrote But it puts a message across that it isn't ok to evade the fare. If a bunch of youths are seen running away whilst the 'checkies' are just standing there doing nothing to catch them, it might make it acceptable.
Metro really need ticket barriers at ALL stops on the network - continually manned throughout operation too.
Giving someone a slap for being cheeky puts a message across to them not to do it again, but it's not the right thing to do. Just because someone thinks that they're above paying their fare, doesn't mean that they've forfeit any right to protection under the law of the land.
I do agree with the barriers point. Even the main ones could do with being on more than they are. I quite often come through Central or Heworth and they're switched off, despite Metro committing to extra staff to man them.
On a separate note, the barriers at Heworth are as much use as a chocolate fireguard anyway. If you come in on the platform from Newcastle, there's absolutely nothing stopping you going through to the Heworth rail station (via the platform walkway), and then up and out via the ramp without barriers...
(14 Jun 2015, 5:24 pm)Bus_User wrote How can anyone say its bang out of order or its disgraceful when we don't know the full facts behind the situation?
I believe self defence should be allowed in situations where it needs to so if the staff involved felt in danger by whatever behaviour they are doing then if pinning them to the ground helps to keep themselves and members of the public more safe then so be it.
All this "against the law" line annoys me also, travelling on public transport without a ticket IS against the law, simple as. if you get caught and start to make a big song and dance about it which could endanger staff and members of the public, then these people need to be restrained and I think members of the public would welcome that to be honest.
There is clearly more to this than the video suggests as there is no way any staff member would use this action unless it was absolutely necesssary.
Also ticket barriers at every station would be a big no no for me, would be a total waste of tax payers money as in most suburban stations, there is plenty of escapes routes which fare dodgers can use so it would be a huge waste of money.
Right there's a sense of irony here. You're having a go at me for saying it's bang out of order without knowing the full facts behind the situation, and then you go on to suggest it's self defence? Mind you, I don't know how you'd justify pinning someone to the ground in open space as self defence in a 6 on 2 situation. I'd suggest it's way beyond reasonable force for self protection.