I got hit with a rather large penalty fare. I paid just below the minimum required in cash (the cost of the single) and the rest on my debit card (which was swiped).
The only thing is that I then lost my wallet somewhere in the station I disembarked, so I immediately rang my bank and had them put a block on my card.
I'm just a bit worried that I'm going to get done for fraud or something, there are no pending transactions on my account. I suspect that I blocked the card before the data from that transaction was sent to my bank (I have no idea how it works). Should I ring the train company and inform them of this or will it go through?
To top that off, the ticket collector failed to take my address when writing the penalty notice. Failed to inform me that what I was paying was a penalty notice and failed to inform me that I could appeal it. The penalty notice doesn't seem to be filled out correctly either, the box that gives the reasons why you have been given one hasn't been ticked - nor was I allowed to sign the penalty notice.
Not quite sure what to do.
The only thing is that I then lost my wallet somewhere in the station I disembarked, so I immediately rang my bank and had them put a block on my card.
At some point I'm guessing your bank will ask you if the transaction is genuine once it's gets submitted to them. Debit card transactions can take a day or so to come through.
To top that off, the ticket collector failed to take my address when writing the penalty notice. Failed to inform me that what I was paying was a penalty notice and failed to inform me that I could appeal it. The penalty notice doesn't seem to be filled out correctly either, the box that gives the reasons why you have been given one hasn't been ticked - nor was I allowed to sign the penalty notice.
I'd appeal then!
Not quite sure what to do.
as honestly as possible why did you get a penalty fare? If you deserved it then make sure it's paid.
If not appeal it. AFAIK by boarding the train you have agreed to the T&C's including the penalties?
It was a genuine mistake, round my old way I could get on a train and buy a ticket on board as the ticket office was normally closed and there was no ticket machine. I was running late, there was a line for the ticket machine and so I had to hop on an FCC train to get to London on time.
Where as these ****ing southern fairies charge you for doing that! Had no idea!
I refuse to use those automated payment machines as they're just plain weird (and balls up receipts). So if the ticket office is closed then I'll just get on the train and either pay the conductor or the bloke in the little platform booth at the other end.
Only once been questioned by a conductor as he didn't believe the ticket office was closed. He called around and confirmed I was correct.
South East trains IIRC.
Last week I stopped out and as my season pass had expired overnight i didnt realise till I got to my destination. I had to go to the guard to buy a ticket to get through the barrier and he just let me through and said "on you go mate". 😀
I had a real run in with an idiot train inspector in St Albans, got a return ticket to Gatwick from a machine, pressed the wrong button and got a day return not a week return. A week later came back got through barrier at Gatwick but got picked up trying to leave St Albans station, this is where the fun and games started.
Ticket woman demanded £80 there and then, I said no way that was outrageous you can see the mistake I made, no she said you are travelling illegally. At this moment another member of staff siddled up and called me a lying f****** and that he had heard every story, pay £80 or get arrested. I said arrest me then and asked him what he had called me, voice getting raised.
Transport plod comes over and asks what is going on, I tell him and he tells me to leave my name and address and I will be contacted. The rude staff member had vanished by now and original ticket nazi is now claiming that she had told me that I could leave a name and address, which she hadn't.She just demanded the £80. In the end it cost me £20. I was livid and to cap it off I checked on the machine I got the ticket from, the ticket I bought was a couple of quid more that the one I should of bought. So Network South East had double bubble out of me.
I don't really understand when it's fine to buy tickets on the train and when it becomes a terrible crime. Seems very random.
They always do Reading station on the Wednseday/Thursday/Friday of the festival week. The one week of the year it's impossible to get to a ticket machine due to all the teenagers trying to pay in copers.
Usualy you could just buy a ticket in Reading at the 'excess fare' desk before going through the barrier.
You can't even dodge a fare at Reading as there's barriers!
My only run-in with penalty fares was on the Docklands Light Railway in the late 90s - back then there were no barriers at many stations, never any guards / inspectors / enforcement people on the (rammed to capacity and beyond) rush hour trains, and the penalty fare was only a fiver against the correct fare which, IIRC, for my journey was around £2.30.
On the day that an inspector did manage to board the cattle-truck like 17:05 to wherever-it-was-going, and asked for tickets, looking along the train it appeared to be roughly 50:50 of people holding out either tickets or fivers...
And ridiculous.grum - Member
I don't really understand when it's fine to buy tickets on the train and when it becomes a terrible crime. Seems very random.
Depends on the TOC. South West Trains won't let you do it. Southern will, it appears FCC won't!
Yeah, on the line I use they have recently installed machines at all stations and have big warning signs telling you about fines if you get on a train without a ticket.
Yet the majority of people buy tickets on the train. From the bloke selling tickets.
Oddfish.
I don't really understand when it's fine to buy tickets on the train and when it becomes a terrible crime. Seems very random.
It's directly related to the mood of the person you are dealing with. Ive had everything from a shouting match with a conductor because id bought a ticket from York to Huddersfield, but got on at Harrogate (from York is further away, but cheaper...go figure) to being let off a fare because the conductors card machine was broken, and the ticket office before the barriers at Leeds was shut and not have to pay any extra on discovering I'd lost my wallet, between arriving at the station and getting on a train, on xmas eve, just to ring the office an pay within a week.
Never had to pay a 'penalty' fare, just the full price single/return. Which I would be buying anyway 🙄
York to Huddersfield, but got on at Harrogate
So you got on at Harrogate, and assuming you were changing at Leeds anyway, the conductor made a fuss about it?
Because I got on the (slower, crapper) stopper train, not the direct one from York to Leeds. He was saying I had to buy a ticket for my actual journey. The reason it was cheaper is there is an open return available from York to Hudds, but not from Harrogate. You have to buy 2 singles if not returning that day.
I once got stung on the non Gatwick express train from Victoria to Gatwick.
Train was rammed - standing room only. I had a standard class ticket, but sat down in 1st assuming I could just pay the upgrade - as you can on plenty other services I use. Nope! Penalty fair and a return to cattle class. What really pissed me off was that they targeted the 1st class compartment - no ticket checks in standard class. Of course I should have been aware of the Ts & Cs, but it was bloody annoying. It was clearly a revenue maximisation exercise. Twunts!
Transport plod comes over and asks what is going on, I tell him and he tells me to leave my name and address and I will be contacted. The rude staff member had vanished by now and original ticket nazi is now claiming that she had told me that I could leave a name and address, which she hadn't.She just demanded the £80. In the end it cost me £20. I was livid and to cap it off I checked on the machine I got the ticket from, the ticket I bought was a couple of quid more that the one I should of bought. So Network South East had double bubble out of me.
Similar to my experience but mine was less shouty, I'd have been happy paying the fine tbh if someone had explained to me what it was - and I was happy paying the extorniate rate until I realised half of it was actually a penalty fare that they failed to tell me about. Apparently if they don't tell you that you only have to pay the minimum and that you can appeal, then it's non compliance on their part with the law and grounds for an appeal. Whats more, even the wording on my notice from the FCC doesn't comply with the legislation.
So why should I pay up for non compliance with the law, if they have clearly failed to as well? Morally speaking... I should pay... but it bugs me that I can't fine them in return for dealing with me incorrectly.
Anyway, I've had enough of dealing with stabby chavs, fat thick drunks, obnoxious teenage mums and Rail staff. I've been cycling and using public transport all my life, never felt like I needed a car and quite liked being different....but I'm now buying one. Dicks.
If there's going to be penalty fares then there should be penalty refunds when the service isn't as advertised or it is impossible to buy a ticket. Level playing field then.
It really gets my goat when there's a mile long queue to buy tickets (say >10mins) then you either miss the train or jump on with no ticket and accept the lottery of ticket / barrier inspectors.
If the TOC is being belligerent/computer says no take it to Passenger Focus. They've seen me right a couple of times but you can only go with them once you've been through the TOC complaints process.
Tom_W1987 - Member
**** southern fairies
Whereas wherever you're from has evidently produced some of life's real winners.
