The behavioural psychology when buying a train ticket

Spotted some clever behavioral nudge economics in action on my Great Western Railway (GWR) train to the West Country this evening! The train manager handled a ticketless passenger in such a thoughtful way, explaining that they needed "consistency for all the other passengers who have paid." No threats or heavy-handed tactics—just a calm, reasonable appeal to fairness and collective responsibility. And guess what? It worked! The guy paid up without any fuss. It’s fascinating to see how organisations are shifting away from the enforcement model to something more benevolent, educative and effective. A small nudge, done well, can make a big difference.It’s a very ‘third decade of the 21st century’ approach to communications and management tactics that prioritises carrot over stick!