Should I appeal? Penalty Fare issued by West Midlands Trains

[topcat_2185]

Hi,

Just wanted some advice on whether I should appeal a fixed penalty notice I have just gotten on London Northwestern today.

My bus was running very late to the station and I literally jumped on the platform with a minute to spare. I was going to Birmingham from Stafford and usually buy my ticket with the Trainline app.


Today I was in such a rush I totally forgot until I sat down and then pulled out my phone to get my ticket. Just as I am doing this this ticket collector/enforcement guy comes round and asks for tickets and I have already paid for my anytime ticket to Stafford.

So I show him my e-ticket and then he says I haven’t paid for the journey as I was already on the train when it left.

Needless to say I’m not very happy about this and I would never dream of trying to dodge a fare.

I was genuinely in a massive rush and forgot to get my ticket before I boarded like I usually do. Should I appeal or just take the bullet and pay the fixed term penalty?

Thank you.

 

[AndroidBango]

Unfortunate, but I don't see on what grounds your appeal would be successful.

 

[Haywain]

Hi,

Just wanted some advice on whether I should appeal a fixed penalty notice I have just gotten on London Northwestern today.

My bus was running very late to the station and I literally jumped on the platform with a minute to spare. I was going to Birmingham from Stafford and usually buy my ticket with the Trainline app.


Today I was in such a rush I totally forgot until I sat down and then pulled out my phone to get my ticket. Just as I am doing this this ticket collector/enforcement guy comes round and asks for tickets and I have already paid for my anytime ticket to Stafford.

So I show him my e-ticket and then he says I haven’t paid for the journey as I was already on the train when it left.

Needless to say I’m not very happy about this and I would never dream of trying to dodge a fare.

I was genuinely in a massive rush and forgot to get my ticket before I boarded like I usually do. Should I appeal or just take the bullet and pay the fixed term penalty?

Thank you.

Had you actually completed the purchase of the ticket at the time of the ticket inspection, so that you were immediately able to show the ticket? If the answer to that is yes, you should appeal because you were able to show a valid ticket and therefore there were no grounds to issue a Penalty Fare. You should also note though that you committed a criminal offence in boarding a train without first purchasing a ticket, but you haven't been reported for this.

 

[yorkie]

Unfortunately there are no grounds for an appeal, assuming there was suitable signage and ticket issuing facilities were available.

A penalty Fare is a higher than normal fare, that some train companies (including West Midlands Trains) can charge, under certain circumstances. It's not technically a 'fine' (even if it is perceived and potentially marketed as such) and isn't an accusation of fare evasion.

Companies such as WMT don't really care if customers are happy with these arrangements; the way they see it is that people who use them generally have no alternative, and at busy times the trains are generally full anyway, and therefore they can take a headline approach to customers making mistakes.

Sorry, I know that's not what you wanted to hear, but it is the reality.

 

[John R]

Are you able to say what train you were on, and (exactly) what time the ticket was purchased. As others have said, boarding a train without a ticket is an offence (except where no ticket purchasing facilities exist), so your scope for appeal are limited. I guess another question relates to access to the train. Is Stafford a barriered station - if so how did you get through without a ticket?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I guess another question relates to access to the train. Is Stafford a barriered station - if so how did you get through without a ticket?

Don't believe Stafford station currently has any ticket barriers.

 

[Knoodlepot]

Don't believe Stafford station currently has any ticket barriers.

Stafford does not have barriers.

 

[fandroid]

Could you please show on here the notice received from the inspector. Redact any info on there that identifies you, including the reference number.