Overnight train journeys can be both wonderful and tiring. For many passengers, a night train is a comfortable way to reach their destination: you go to sleep and wake up already there. However, one practice can puzzle travellers: why do carriage attendants take their tickets for the night?
To understand why this happens, let's look at a few key aspects of overnight travel:
- Safety and control over travel
An important part of running a train is ensuring the safety of, and control over, everyone on board. By collecting tickets for the night, attendants can make sure that everyone in the carriage is a registered passenger. This helps prevent illegal travel and improves control over the train.
- Knowing where passengers are
In an emergency or unusual situation, such as an evacuation, attendants need to know where every passenger is. By collecting tickets and recording where passengers are, they can handle the situation more effectively and safely.
- Keeping the carriage comfortable and orderly
Attendants are also responsible for comfort and order in the carriage. By collecting tickets and keeping them in a special place, they can move freely around the carriage and offer extra resting space to those who are not asleep. This improves overall comfort for passengers.
- Preventing fare dodging
Collecting tickets for the night also stops attempts to travel without paying. This helps ensure fairness and that the rules are followed.
- Wake-up call before your station
Attendants often remind passengers that the terminus is approaching, usually about 30–40 minutes before the expected stop. This important reminder helps passengers get ready to leave the train and not miss their destination.
What if the ticket is electronic?
Even if your train ticket is electronic, collecting information about passengers is still relevant. E-tickets have several advantages, such as convenient booking and being environmentally friendly, but attendants still carry out certain duties to keep the train safe and comfortable, even when there is no paper ticket.
So, by collecting tickets, carriage attendants perform a number of important functions related to safety, comfort and control on the train. It is a practical and necessary measure that improves the overall experience of overnight travel and gives passengers peace of mind and comfort.
