"The National Rail Conditions of Travel (NRCoT) advise that where the facility to buy a ticket exists prior to
boarding, passengers should pay the correct fare for their entire journey before they travel and produce for
inspection a valid ticket as evidence of their right to make a journey on the relevant train, otherwise they
may be liable to pay a Penalty Fare Notice.
I understand the ticket produced for inspection was not valid on the services of the relevant train operator.
Restrictions apply to the use of some tickets such as the dates, days and times of travel, and the trains in
which they can be used.
Train operators compete for business and may encourage passengers onto their services by offering fares
at a reduced price, however, restrictions will always apply. As the revenue from the sale of this type of
ticket is not shared with any other train company, where a "train company specific" ticket has been bought,
it will only be deemed valid for use on the services of the named operator.
Travel between Chester and Liverpool Lime Street via Runcorn is a route operated by Transport For Wales
only, Merseyrail don't offer this route.
As long as the ticket restrictions are observed, passengers can benefit from saving money on their
fare. However, using the ticket on any other operator's services may result in a penalty fare being
charged.
The terms and conditions of use and any restrictions associated with the ticket would have been made
clear at the point of sale. Unfortunately, it remains the passenger's responsibility to join the correct train and
use the right operator's services.
As the journey was not made with the correct train operator and there were no mitigating circumstances
(such as severe service disruptions) to take into consideration, I'm afraid it has been concluded by Penalty
Services that the Penalty Fare Notice should stand.
Where a passenger is deemed to have joined a train without a valid ticket they will be processed in the
same way as if they had joined with no ticket (as the ticket was invalidated for that journey)."
A passenger's right to a refund on any unused tickets is explained in the National Rail Conditions of Travel.
Having taken into consideration all the points raised to date, we regret to advise that your appeal has been
unsuccessful. It is your right to re-appeal this decision. Any further appeal will be considered by a different
appeal assessor. If re-appealing, please give the reason(s) why you are appealing against this decision and
also mention any additional circumstances you would like taken into account.