You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I missed a train because the train ticket collection machine couldnt read my card and had to use a ticket office to collect the ticket. Because of this I missed my train. Later however, when I wanted to buy a new ticket, my card was working absolutely fine. Pretty annoying really.
Who should I speak to, to get my money back? I looked on the national rail website and it suggested to contact either the station operator or the train company. However, I cant seem to be able to find any details on how to contact the station operator.
Has anyone been in a similar situation before?
Daz
Good luck. They could easily argue that you hadn't left enough time or that your card was faulty (was the machine not reading anyones cards?).
Station operator will be a train company generally, though some are run by Network Rail, search the station on [url= http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ ]National Rail[/url] and it'll tell you.
I once had this and just got on the train without a ticket. Was fully expecting the penalty fare yadda yadda but as it was prebooked and I had the ref to hand the conductor just printed the ticket for me. Appreciate its no use here but worth a punt for next time. Was a virgin train so local ones might not have the gubbins to do it, mind.
I usually just get on if the machine doesn't work and if there's a ticket inspector tell them the problem. They usually just make you pay for a ticket for your journey.
If the machine shows any error on the screen, take a pic with your mobile.
jedimaster - MemberI missed a train because the train ticket collection machine couldnt read my card and had to use a ticket office to collect the ticket. Because of this I missed my train. Later however, when I wanted to buy a new ticket, my card was working absolutely fine. Pretty annoying really.
Who should I speak to, to get my money back?
But you didn't have to buy a new ticket according to that?
If you did, your Railco wil probably tell you to **** off, you then go to a quasi-ombudsman person who will get you vouchers or something (my experience anyway).
But you didn't have to buy a new ticket according to that?
I had to buy a new one as the ticket was valid for a specified train only, which was the one that I missed.
- Dont know, but I tried it three times and cleaned the chip like they advised me to do etc When I wanted to buy a new ticket it was fine though.(was the machine not reading anyones cards?).
might try that next time!I once had this and just got on the train without a ticket. Was fully expecting the penalty fare yadda yadda but as it was prebooked and I had the ref to hand the conductor just printed the ticket for me. Appreciate its no use here but worth a punt for next time. Was a virgin train so local ones might not have the gubbins to do it, mind.
Quasi-ombudsman is Passenger Focus (apparently now called Transport Focus) who'll sort you out for cash (not vouchers) ONCE you've been declined by the operator. Talk to the operator first, explain the situation logically and rationally and if that fails have a read of http://www.transportfocus.org.uk/help/rail-complaints
For info East Coast station ticket machines will take any bank card, not just the one used to buy the tickets. I'm not sure this is true of other train companies who naturally all have their own systems.
IIRC - Scotrail want the card used to buy the tickets
IME of local station monday morning queues out the door coz both ticket machines are fubared as per and the 2 staff (3 if you're lucky - there are 5 kiosks, NEVER have 5 staff) they have on are swamped by the morning rush. Tough titties no-one is going down to the platform without a ticket.
Also IME your time is also only worth about £1.70 an hour so - in the highly unlikely event that they take pity on you and don't just tell you to turn up earlier next time - unless you missed the last train it aint worth the hassle of claiming.
<edit> now I've read the thread properly I see you're claiming for a booked ticket. You might have more luck with that but I wouldn't hold my breath.
Update for anyone who was following this thread
I emailed East Midlands Trains ( who are responsible for Sheffield Train Station ) about the incident a couple of weeks ago. Received a reply yesterday, saying that they will be happy to refund me the price of the extra ticket by either a cheque or a national rail voucher. Winning!
That's an hour of your life wasted that yiu will never get back
Checks the date - no it's not 1 April
I am impressed.
Winning, but turn up earlier next time
I.
Was.
Right.
Which bit are you claiming to be right about ? 😉
If you did, your Railco wil probably tell you to **** off
Was it that bit
Or was it the other bits that were also wrong 🙂
vouchers or something
The btg I was right about that you missed out 🙄
Wow. Every bit of your post (apart from from the word "Vouchers") was incorrect.
You must have been wrong a LOT recently if you are claiming that as a victory 🙂
And he was also offered the option of a cheque. So not even the vouchers bit was [i]that [/i]accurate.
😀