Hi all,
I have see a number of threads on this topic, but I wanted to see if anyone had any additional advice for my particular circumstances.
I was travelling on Greater Anglia services from London Liverpool Street to Stanstead airport at the end of December where I was stopped by a RPI. My railcard expired at the end of October (see extenuating circumstances below) and in the heat of the moment (context below) I refused to pay the fine. I gave my details to the RPI and then this month (March 2024), I got a letter from Greater Anglia asking for more information so they could make a decision.
Extenuating circumstances:
- At the beginning of November (two weeks after the expiry of my railcard, 6 weeks before the above event) had major life-saving open heart surgery
- Naturally trauma of the operation required extensive physical and mental recovery and I suffered some significant side effects that are recorded on my medical notes (hallucinations, intense pain etc) and was on strong painkillers at the time of the event (I have very little recollection of the event itself given the above)
- Due to the above I was obviously not focusing on my railcard expiring and no part of me thought to check at the time that it had expired
Other information:
- The trip above was not my first time traveling on the expired railcard. In total I had 8 journeys on the expired card over that short period (almost all between my home town and the hospital in London - and, of course, for none of which I was aware it had expired)
- At the gate once questioned I bought another full price ticket - which they refused to accept and asked me to refund (which I see if standard practice)
- I renewed my railcard immediately after
I am more than happy to pay a settlement covering the trip, the previous 8 journey's and the administrative costs, but I would (naturally) really really want to avoid court. How best can I respond to them to ensure this?
I have seen many people say that extenuating circumstances don’t matter as they have ‘heard them all before’ - but I think this (inc proof via medical records) means it is certainly something to mention?
Thank you
I have see a number of threads on this topic, but I wanted to see if anyone had any additional advice for my particular circumstances.
I was travelling on Greater Anglia services from London Liverpool Street to Stanstead airport at the end of December where I was stopped by a RPI. My railcard expired at the end of October (see extenuating circumstances below) and in the heat of the moment (context below) I refused to pay the fine. I gave my details to the RPI and then this month (March 2024), I got a letter from Greater Anglia asking for more information so they could make a decision.
Extenuating circumstances:
- At the beginning of November (two weeks after the expiry of my railcard, 6 weeks before the above event) had major life-saving open heart surgery
- Naturally trauma of the operation required extensive physical and mental recovery and I suffered some significant side effects that are recorded on my medical notes (hallucinations, intense pain etc) and was on strong painkillers at the time of the event (I have very little recollection of the event itself given the above)
- Due to the above I was obviously not focusing on my railcard expiring and no part of me thought to check at the time that it had expired
Other information:
- The trip above was not my first time traveling on the expired railcard. In total I had 8 journeys on the expired card over that short period (almost all between my home town and the hospital in London - and, of course, for none of which I was aware it had expired)
- At the gate once questioned I bought another full price ticket - which they refused to accept and asked me to refund (which I see if standard practice)
- I renewed my railcard immediately after
I am more than happy to pay a settlement covering the trip, the previous 8 journey's and the administrative costs, but I would (naturally) really really want to avoid court. How best can I respond to them to ensure this?
I have seen many people say that extenuating circumstances don’t matter as they have ‘heard them all before’ - but I think this (inc proof via medical records) means it is certainly something to mention?
Thank you