Destination Anywhere

Personal experiences from getting the card and showing the guard

Your stories wanted - please include
(1) the name of the transport company involved and
(2) the month in which the journey took place.

Approx 300 words maximum please. Send to climatechaos@yahoo.com.
Some editing may take place to protect the identity of any public transport workers involved and for length.

4th July 2001
A personal note from one woman who used her 90% card from Brighton to London recently:

"I bought a ticket from Brighton to Hove, which was roughly 10 percent of the fare to London Victoria (and let me get through the gates). When the conductor asked for my ticket on the journey, I explained to him the reasons why I didn't pay my full fare. Whilst he was not particularly interested in the issues I was talking about, and threatened me with vague things about police and prosecution, I found the ticket inspector at Victoria (who he presented me to on arrival) quite understanding. As he was unable to verify the address I gave him for any possible fine, he let me go without payment or hassle. Next time I'll bring leaflets with me to make sure the train staff know what it's all about."

17th March 2001
On the 17th of March, a dozen activists boarded a train to the seaside resort of Blackpool and refused to pay more than 10% of their fare. One of them writes:

" We leafleted the train and got a very positive response from passengers - wishing that they hadn't bought their ticket already and taking 90% cards for future use, and one guy used his on the spot as he hadn't bought a ticket and the guard nodded and walked on - so the passenger was over the moon! On the train on the way out to Blackpool two of us went to turn the guard's understanding of reality on its head by explaining the 90% thing - at first he was a bit 'what's that got to do with me' but we carried on talking and spent most of the journey talking about the state of the railways. Had a great day out in Blackpool - went on a rollercoaster, had chips on the pier and everything. Who said politics and pleasure couldn't be mixed?"

"A sunny day and a group of us from Manchester (about 15 people) fancied a day trip to the seaside - getting to it before it got to us. Carrying our 90% for 90% cards and a stack of leaflets we boarded the train. As it pulled out, two of us went to speak to the guard and we turned his understanding of reality temporarily on its head.

Explaining that we thought the railways were in a right state, we asked what he thought about public transport, and explained that we were no longer happy sitting there moaning but waiting for someone else - Railtrack, Tony Blair, the Lottery, Bob Geldof - to do something, anything. That was where '90% for 90%' came in - we had had enough - as passengers we were going to pay what we thought was a fair price and we were going to talk to the railway workers about why we were doing it, and start talking with them about how things could be better. Spent most of the journey banging on about the state of the world - no ticket-check took place. The two of us who were speaking to the guard explained that a number of people on the train were carrying the 90% for 90% card - by the time we arrived at our destination that number had increased as other passengers picked up on the idea and took the spare cards we were carrying. The response from passengers was great - wishing that they hadn't bought their ticket already, taking 90% cards for future use, and, on the return journey, one guy used his on the spot as he hadn't bought a ticket and the guard nodded and walked on - so the passenger was over the moon!

We had a phone number of a local solicitor on us just in case anyone was threatened with arrest. Fortunately we didn't need the solicitor - had a great day out - went on a rollercoaster, had chips on the pier and everything. Who said politics and pleasure don't mix?"

Train company: Virgin
Date: March

"Travelling between Manchester and London on business, I had deadlines to meet and neither the time nor the energy for extra hassle, so I bought a ticket before setting out and produced this for the 'train manager'. I did want to support the campaign, though, so when I showed my ticket, I also produced one of the 90% for 90% cards, explaining that this was a campaign that was getting started and that the people running the campaign were keen to work in partnership with railway staff and unions. The message was very well received on both journeys - nods of approval, careful reading of the text and pocketing of the ticket all seemed to indicate that something was getting through. My only disappointment was that none of the other passengers showed any interest but then what can you expect from a London train...?"

Train company: Virgin
Date: March

"After feeling really inspired by the success of the group day trip action to Blackpool, I thought I'd give the '90% for 90%' a go myself, on my next train journey - the following day. I was travelling from the north west down south on a major train route.

The first guard that I spoke to had already left his carriage and so I had to talk to him in a passenger carriage in front of other passengers. He listened to what I had to say and basically agreed, but said that he nevertheless had to do his job and if I refused to pay the whole fare he would have to fill out a form summoning me to court. Willing to do that, I said I was sitting further down the train. When he came to collect the tickets, he acknowledged me and said he'd be back. He never came back, but just grinned at me.

The next train was the last one to where I was trying to get home to. I managed to get to talk to the guard in his carriage - he was very friendly, accepted a leaflet but insisted that I should pay for the whole cost of the ticket. I repeatedly said that I would only pay 10% of the ticket or happily be sent a court summons, only to be told I'd be chucked off at the next stop if I didn't pay. Not wanting to be stuck in a grim small town in the middle of the night I disappointedly backed down. The guard stayed really friendly and even sold me the cheapest ticket he possible could.

Really do try it yourself - on your own or with some mates - just be friendly, up-front and honest and make sure you talk to the guard away from other passengers so that they have more of an option of agreeing with you, talking about it and maybe letting you off."

One 90%er went to speak to a local RMT branch meeting, distributed materials, talked a bit about climate change, and got asked interested questions. She hopes to meet up again with public transport workers in her area.