My journey the other day30 Jun 2022 14:16
So the other day I was stood on a packed platform waiting for a train that was late - they usually are. I had pre-bought my ticket from trainline at a discount for this particular train so if I wanted to get on a different train or even just get on a bus or taxi instead, I'd lose what I'd paid for my ticket. No problem though - I was in no urgent rush to get where I was going anyway, and however late the train ends up, it'll still be quicker than walking.
While waiting, I overheard a few schoolkids on the platform discussing what to do. One was saying this train is never coming (despite it not having been cancelled) and they'd be better off walking. Another said they'd never get their money back for the ticket. The first said they'd go and stand outside the station and sell it to a passer-by in the queue for the ticket machine, but probably wouldn't get anywhere near as much back as they bought it for. A second one said they'd do the same too, which ****ed off the first one as they were then probably competing for the same buyer. The third one said they train would probably be here any minute, so best just wait. A fourth one just got angry at the train being late, but wasn't going to walk away now as the train would probably turn up as soon as they did and they'd miss it entirely.
The many others overheard these few chatting, and just tutted despondently. Everyone else on the platform (including me) had see the occasional updates on the overhead sign saying the train was still coming, so they didn't even consider the remote chance it would be cancelled.
When the train did finally turn up, the kids had talked each other into saying "sod it", tearing up their tickets, and walking away. One or two of them must have managed to sell their tickets on for just a few quid, because I waved at them from the train as it passed by them with their bucket of KFC and a grumpy shuffle along the pavement.
So my question to you is this - how much was a train ticket worth? The full price that some where paying at the ticket machine just before the train was due, or the discounted price I paid on Trainline in advance, or the price the schoolkids sold out at to a lucky punter who happened to be in the ticket machine queue?
The correct answer is of course the latter, i.e. latest price it was sold at. But don't be the schoolkids who sold at that price, and pay no attention to such transactions, while you're stood on the platform with your pricier ticket - you're getting on the train, the schoolkids aren't.