So it seems SET did the old bait and switch tonight! Absolute shambles!
This morning it seems as though there were no Cannon street services, at least as the north kent line is concerned, and very few, if any, Victoria services.
People were apparently told to go on the HS1 line, and there was an announcement at Gravesend stating that Normal tickets were being accepted today on HS1.
Anyway, come home time (the 16:58 form StP to Faversham) and I saw somthing like 30-40 people queueing outside the barriers having a 'discussion' with the barrier staff.
I had no idea what was going on, but I assumed that they were all getting passed through for the above reason.
Anyway, on the train, an argument broke out (quite civil) between several people on the train and the ticket inspector (train manager these days).
Apparently he had been told that normal tickets were no longer acceptable and that upgrades were required. However, everyone who had not got one stated that quite learly, staff at Canon street and Victoria had sent them there, and that the SET website was stating clearly that normal tickets are being accepted.
However, the train manager claimed that he was told at 16:52 that he was to require upgrades!
People were fuming, and in the end, one chap had a very long argument with a very adamant train manager about the subject, while everyone else moved further down the train to ensure they could get off without encountering him.
So it looks like SET management lifted their special measures at the last minute without giving all passengers enough time to make alternative arrangements on their travel.
One chap even demanded a penalty fair so that he could contest it!