Unfair Penalty Train Fare

robt_2

Some real no-it-alls on this thread eh.

Southern can list it as a penalty fares station all they like, but it can not be enforced unless it is clearly signed, which apparently it is not at the station in question.

There is no point quoting websites at me, because if you were to read them yourself in detail, I am sure that they would back up what I have just said.

I am all for the OPs daughter to fined if she has done wrong, but she has not, because there is conflicting evidence in this case.

andyrules

musicmonkey, I've been following this with interest as i really feel your DD has been dealt a raw deal - another classic example of honest people paying the price for people who deliberately avoid paying. (and reading certain posts on here there are such among us). It would have been very easy to issue her with the standard ticket - job done, everyone happy.

Apologies if I have missed this - but no-one has addressed the fact that had she waited in the queue she would not have been on the train in the first instance.:rolleyes: Some stations are woefully undermanned and simply cannot cope with the rush that happens at popular times. At our station, for example,you only need one customer with a long query about a complicated future journey for the queue to become unmanageable.

I have no advice other than as someone suggested - take it up with your mp. I hope you get it sorted and please let us know.

Oh, and ignore those who never run late

tuggy

So when the other person tried to apply a penalty fare your daughter just "rolled over" and handed out her name and address? If that was me and i'd tried to do the honest thing and they just said they were going to give me a penalty fare i'd say "stuff you" and walk off. they can't physically detain her. So first she was "stupid" enough (read:honest) to go and buy a ticket AFTER she got a free journey (!!!!) then she was stupid enough to hand out voluntarily her name and address when they asked for them to give her a penalty?

How was she clever enough to get into college?

Voyager2002

tuggy wrote: »

So when the other person tried to apply a penalty fare your daughter just "rolled over" and handed out her name and address? If that was me and i'd tried to do the honest thing and they just said they were going to give me a penalty fare i'd say "stuff you" and walk off. they can't physically detain her. So first she was "stupid" enough (read:honest) to go and buy a ticket AFTER she got a free journey (!!!!) then she was stupid enough to hand out voluntarily her name and address when they asked for them to give her a penalty?

How was she clever enough to get into college?

What an intelligent contribution!

Had she failed to give her name and address, and attempted to run away, she would have been committing a criminal offence (and of course would have put herself in the wrong for the whole saga). Everything would then have become a good deal more serious than it is now.

And yes, British Transport Police are available to assist station staff, and they certainly do have the power to detain people physically if that is what is needed.

meester

andyrules wrote: »

musicmonkey, I've been following this with interest as i really feel your DD has been dealt a raw deal - another classic example of honest people paying the price for people who deliberately avoid paying. (and reading certain posts on here there are such among us). It would have been very easy to issue her with the standard ticket - job done, everyone happy.

Apologies if I have missed this - but no-one has addressed the fact that had she waited in the queue she would not have been on the train in the first instance.:rolleyes: Some stations are woefully undermanned and simply cannot cope with the rush that happens at popular times. At our station, for example,you only need one customer with a long query about a complicated future journey for the queue to become unmanageable.

That's something that anyone who catches the train daily has to deal with.

That's why if it's important to you not to be late, you buy your ticket in advance.

So what if she would have missed her train if she'd stood in the queue. If the bus had been 5 minutes later she'd have missed it too. Tough. Wait for the next one. If you get to the station too late you miss the train, you don't vault over the barriers and say 'sorry, I have no ticket'. My station is manned full time, and they will NEVER let you in without a ticket. Just because she could do it, doesn't mean she's got the right to say 'can't be bovvered to queue'

I have no advice other than as someone suggested - take it up with your mp.

What a ridiculous waste of his time

Oh, and ignore those who never run late

If I was late I would weigh up the situation, and either wait 20 minutes for the next train, or if I was late for a job interview or something important I'd get on without a ticket and be prepared to pay the penalty. Either pay the penalty or buy the ticket, very simple. There's no other option.

meester

robt wrote: »

Some real no-it-alls on this thread eh.

ha ha ha.

Southern can list it as a penalty fares station all they like, but it can not be enforced unless it is clearly signed, which apparently it is not at the station in question.

Really?


It certainly sounds like there are signs to me:

"Newhaven is not always manned and the signs at the station state that tickets must be purchased at the first available opportunity. There is no 'black and white' 'do not board without a ticket' message or sign"

Seems clear cut to me. The first available opportunity as quite clearly in the queue at the ticket office.

There is no point quoting websites at me, because if you were to read them yourself in detail, I am sure that they would back up what I have just said.

Ha ha ha. Last time you said I knew nothing, and I should " do some research on the stations, rail company" and when I do you say you are not going to bother to read them but if you did they would probably agree with you.

robt_2

In addition to what I said in post #32 in this thread, it is also highly doubtful that the penalty fare is enforceable as the OP has said that the ticket machines (plural) were out of order. Read the National Rail guidelines for penalty fares operation coupled with the links provided on the appeals website.

robt_2

meester wrote: »

It certainly sounds like there are signs to me:

"Newhaven is not always manned and the signs at the station state that tickets must be purchased at the first available opportunity. There is no 'black and white' 'do not board without a ticket' message or sign"

Seems clear cut to me. The first available opportunity as quite clearly in the queue at the ticket office.

It seems clear cut to you, but that is not relevant because the signage is not good enough for penalty fares operation.

Ilovea_bargain

You will find that all stations will soon a new ticket machine that excepts all payment types and all cash amounts, these will replace permit machine and will be in addition to some tickets offices.

If you board a train without a ticket you will have to pay a penelty,(on some sevices) using an excuse like the ticket office was busy doesn't wash with the Inspecters and rememebr they are only doing their job.

and remember she buy a whole weeks worth of tickets in one day, they change the dates on the tickets, so on Monday she can buy 5 days worth and never get caught out again. This is better that buying on the day

hth

andyrules

meester wrote: »

That's something that anyone who catches the train daily has to deal with.

That's why if it's important to you not to be late, you buy your ticket in advance.

So what if she would have missed her train if she'd stood in the queue. If the bus had been 5 minutes later she'd have missed it too. Tough. Wait for the next one. If you get to the station too late you miss the train, you don't vault over the barriers and say 'sorry, I have no ticket'. My station is manned full time, and they will NEVER let you in without a ticket. Just because she could do it, doesn't mean she's got the right to say 'can't be bovvered to queue'



What a ridiculous waste of his time



If I was late I would weigh up the situation, and either wait 20 minutes for the next train, or if I was late for a job interview or something important I'd get on without a ticket and be prepared to pay the penalty. Either pay the penalty or buy the ticket, very simple. There's no other option.

What a charmer you are. Why would writing to one's mp be a waste of time? Being aware of user difficulties might just help make better policies for all of us. Throughout all your posts I can see no constructive advice, other than 'tough', and telling other posters to 'shutup'. Maybe you should take your own advice;)