Refused a ticket on the train this morning

A question about : Refused a ticket on the train this morning

Morning,

I took my usual trip this morning on Virgin between Preston and Lancaster.

As usual, the conductor came round and I asked him for a return ticket to Lancaster. He refused me and said that you cannot get a return ticket on a train.

I asked 'since when' and he told me for the last two years they haven't issued return tickets on a train.

I have two questions;

1 - Do have a point?

2 - Who have I been handing my money over to for the last two years?

Best answers:

• And the reason you can't buy a ticket before you travel like everyone else is.....?
• Doesn't sound like he was being awkward at all to me. If thats the official rule then thats the rule. Sounds to me like you're the one who has been taking the mick by not wanting to queue for a ticket at the ticket office and holding up the conductor from doing his job - inspecting.
  If you're going to try complaining against him then you won't get far arguing that when there is a rule in place that they don't have to sell you a return ticket.
• Running time between Preston and Lacaster is about 15mins according to the National Rail site.
  What happens if the conductor does not get to the coach you are in during that time. I trust you go straight to the ticket office at the station where you are getting off and purchase the correct ticket.
  When First take over the West Coast they intend installing ticket barriers at Preston and Lancaster.
• Don't know what rule First will operate on this route but for the Hull services it states:
  Buying tickets
  Ticket types which do not require advance purchase may be obtained on board any of our trains from the Train Manager. In this circumstance it is your responsibility to approach a member of staff to make the purchase as soon as possible after boarding.
  You are responsible for finding someone to pay. It does not say what happens if you dont but I guess they could suspect you of fare evasion. Sounds like you need to start buying your tickets before you travel, possibly the day before.
• That is the official policy, but the conductors are usually friendly and will sell you whatever. Unfortunately you encountered one of the officious ones. If we're going down the route of berating you for it then what's wrong with the ticket machines at Preston?
• I suspect that like so many short journeys people figure that if they get on and the conductor doesn't get to you before you get off the train it's a free journey. On the days the conductor does get round you have to pay.
  It happens all the time on the Nottingham and Sheffield trams. People waiting at the Park and Ride look for the conductor then get on past where the conductor has already been. By the time the conductor has worked their way back down the tram it's in the city and they've got off, no fare and free parking!
  Another trick is if it looks like the conductor is getting close you see no end of people getting off at the next stop and walking down the tram to get back on past the conductor.
  It amazes me that they make any money at all!