Punching train tickets in France???

[Sir Trev]

Originally Posted by Gazza77

Except if boarding at an unmanned station, which is the majority of stations round here...

Unless that unmanned station has a ticket machine!

Shame you're not getting the Eurostar to Brussels and then going on by local train somewhere else in Belgium Ralph. Onward travel within Belgium is free that way.

Originally Posted by punyXpress

Get your drift, Ralph, but if you don't stamp your ticket it hasn't been validated & presumably you will be frog-marched off at the next stop ( or even earlier if really unlucky.)

I will stamp it. What I couldn't understand was if you stamped it yourself, how could they stop you from using it more than once, which it would seem, they can't, it's valid for up to 48hrs.

I'll ask when I'm in France and see how they stop everyday commuters buying 3 tickets a week.

[Gazza77]

Originally Posted by Sir Trev

Unless that unmanned station has a ticket machine!

True, though ticket machines round here are confined to major stations, which also have staffed ticket offices, such as Leeds and Wakefield Westgate. The majority of stations in West Yorkshire are unmanned with no machine, meaning tickets have to be bought on the train.

The tickets are for "today", this week or open. The stamp means you have about an hour to get the train, [late trains and such].
It is a on the spot fine.[30 euros] if not stamped. if on the TVG with a normal ticket you are charged more.
about 60 if no ticket at all.
and a 500 fine if you give them a hard time. the police are on the trains a lot.

How ever I go from home [Antibes] to work [Monaco] every day [50 miles] and have a pass which cost 2 euros a day. cost more for the paper each day
I use it any time including heading to the pubs and clubs.

Originally Posted by redbouy

The tickets are for "today", this week or open. The stamp means you have about an hour to get the train.

Now this makes more sense. The bonjourlafrance website that 7755matt posted got in wrong then?

This is so confusing, can't you just take the bike instead, so much easier

Originally Posted by Ed

This is so confusing, can't you just take the bike instead, so much easier

I'm bringing my car back, it broke down in France TWO MONTHS AGO! It's taken them this long, several parts, several different diagnosis, and a months holiday in between to diagnose and replace faulty camshaft position sensor! The French don't do petrol engines in big cars and they don't sell many big cars full stop unless they are French (the Opel dealer claims to have sold one Vectra since the current shape was released in 2002, and that was diesel), so non Renault/Peugeot/Citroen dealers have no understanding of Variable Valve Timing systems. That combined with a typical "don't give a s**t" attitude, especially when they see a British car, means two months to get it fixed. Doesn't help that GM sell cars via completely different companies, so Vauxhall UK have no power over Opel France. Vauxhall UK customer service has been excellent so far, and I'd definitely buy another Vauxhall as a result, but they are just banging their head against a brick wall with the French.

Originally Posted by Gazza77

Except if boarding at an unmanned station, which is the majority of stations round here...

advanced tickets, honestly it is an offence to board a train without ticket and a fact i am sure the british transport police will verify. i work for network rail, i hear about this sort of thing all the time and the persons involved are regarded as fare-evaders until a ticket is purchased.