SW Trains - treated like a terrorist!

AlanG_3

Many people will say that at the very least , a fair way of sorting this type of problem is.

The guard should have the technology and capability to check if the fare payer is genuine, he had his network card.
However if not possible at that time.
The passenger is asked to pay the penalty fare (or if unable to do so leave their details) but on the clear understanding that within a few days , if it seems that the passenger is correct , they had genuinely bought a ticket and paid the right fare , the full penalty will be refunded without further ado. No costs or "admin " deductions.

Question. What is the situation on penalty fares.
Can you get a full refund
Can you not be charged an admin fee.

I suspect not.

Funkadelia

Many thanks for all your responses.

I would say that I respect everyone's opinion - both for, against and indifferent.

One thing that I had on my mind which I failed to detail in the information I've provided is a slight aside from this matter - but I think still relevant.

Whilst travelling the week before I boarded a train carriage which clearly smelt of smoke.

When I reached my seat I looked back to the front of the carriage to see a very large guy sitting down, puffing away.

Then a guard boarded and passed the chap - hesitated - then told him that he shouldn't be smoking. The guy muttered a few words, then stubbed his cigarette out.

The guard then walked on - no mention of a fine at all! Incredible!

The the guard had the audacity to approach a student who was travelling with a ticket that she unfortunately could not find her pass for. The guard asked her to pay the difference to full fare!

This was on my mind during my particular incident. Remember, before you say 'two wrongs don't make a right' then just think - I'm only human - I was angry with this hypocrisy - and I decided to stand my ground. I was being honest about my ticket booking.

More responses please...

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

Funkadelia wrote: »

Many thanks for all your responses.

I would say that I respect everyone's opinion - both for, against and indifferent.

One thing that I had on my mind which I failed to detail in the information I've provided is a slight aside from this matter - but I think still relevant.

Whilst travelling the week before I boarded a train carriage which clearly smelt of smoke.

When I reached my seat I looked back to the front of the carriage to see a very large guy sitting down, puffing away.

Then a guard boarded and passed the chap - hesitated - then told him that he shouldn't be smoking. The guy muttered a few words, then stubbed his cigarette out.

The guard then walked on - no mention of a fine at all! Incredible!

The the guard had the audacity to approach a student who was travelling with a ticket that she unfortunately could not find her pass for. The guard asked her to pay the difference to full fare!

This was on my mind during my particular incident. Remember, before you say 'two wrongs don't make a right' then just think - I'm only human - I was angry with this hypocrisy - and I decided to stand my ground. I was being honest about my ticket booking.

More responses please...

Your "examples" are irrelevent and not an example of incompetence

You ignored the original police officer, your lucky you were not arrested for breach of the peace.

You have no legal grounds for complaint and would be well advised not to kick up a fuss when you ignored all the warnings about arriving early, guard and police instructions and caused several officers time to be wasted.

robt_2

Funkadelia wrote: »

I will l also be sending this letter to several online websites, BBC Watchdog and newspapers. I am a journalist and have several contacts on broadsheet newsdesks.

I am fully prepared to take this matter much further.

That is the point at which they will file your letter of complaint in the bin and have a good laugh about it.

You ignored requests from railway staff, you ignored requests from the police.

You delayed however many hundred people were on your train.

You potentially delayed countless thousands on other trains from the knock on effect you delaying your train had.

No sympathy at all - in fact I hope they find something to sue you for.

northstar23

robt wrote: »

No sympathy at all - in fact I hope they find something to sue you for.

Sometimes I can't believe the attitude of people on this forum... I thought everyone was meant to help each other in the battle against the all powerful corporate empires.

Reading this story bought back a memory of yesteryear for me... I was 15 at the time, travelling from Southampton to Waterloo about 09:15 one December morning. The guard came round asking for tickets... I showed mine and he said it wasn't valid. (I had a 3 day cheap return which wasn't valid before 0930... however in my naievity I didn't realise this, and it wasn't shown anywhere on the ticket)

It must have been blatantly obvious that I'd made a genuine mistake and yet I was treated like ****, really rudely and chucked off the train at Winchester. The station master was stunned that I'd been thrown off, and let me wait in his office before personally seeing me on the next train. I complained to the rail company and recieved a full apology and refund on account of the guard's behaviour.

My point is... what the hell has happened to common sense? Yes Funkadelia boarded a train without a ticket, but had made a pretty decent attempt to obtain it and had reasonable evidence that the ticket existed. Should the guard just not have used common sense and said "yeah OK son, just sort it out properly next time". Instead we have arguments, police and all sorts of trouble.

robt_2

northstar23 wrote: »

Sometimes I can't believe the attitude of people on this forum... I thought everyone was meant to help each other in the battle against the all powerful corporate empires.

Maybe you should try quoting in context.

Besides, the OP said they respect all opinions, both for and against.

My point is... what the hell has happened to common sense? Yes Funkadelia boarded a train without a ticket, but had made a pretty decent attempt to obtain it and had reasonable evidence that the ticket existed. Should the guard just not have used common sense and said "yeah OK son, just sort it out properly next time". Instead we have arguments, police and all sorts of trouble.

Ignoring the guard, ignoring the police and causing delays for hundreds of people is common sense then?

Neil_B

What is al this 'you' did this and 'you' did that. No he/she didn't. The failure of the railway Co to get the technology working correctly and provide the service paid for - caused it all.

Arrive earlier - yeah great advert for train Cos - please arrive at least an hour before your train in case we f*ck up and you have to spend time trying to find one of our elusive staff members who probably won't be able to sort it out without referring to several other people anyway. Happy travelling!

dmg24

Funkadelia wrote: »

Many thanks for all your responses.

I would say that I respect everyone's opinion - both for, against and indifferent.

One thing that I had on my mind which I failed to detail in the information I've provided is a slight aside from this matter - but I think still relevant.

Whilst travelling the week before I boarded a train carriage which clearly smelt of smoke.

When I reached my seat I looked back to the front of the carriage to see a very large guy sitting down, puffing away.

Then a guard boarded and passed the chap - hesitated - then told him that he shouldn't be smoking. The guy muttered a few words, then stubbed his cigarette out.

The guard then walked on - no mention of a fine at all! Incredible!

The the guard had the audacity to approach a student who was travelling with a ticket that she unfortunately could not find her pass for. The guard asked her to pay the difference to full fare!

This was on my mind during my particular incident. Remember, before you say 'two wrongs don't make a right' then just think - I'm only human - I was angry with this hypocrisy - and I decided to stand my ground. I was being honest about my ticket booking.

More responses please...

Two wrongs do not make a right.

You did not have a valid ticket, and therefore should have either paid for a full price ticket or left the train when requested.

Well done to the conductor for standing his ground, and the Transport Police for responding so promptly.

Neil_B

northstar23 wrote: »

Sometimes I can't believe the attitude of people on this forum..

As far as I've seen so far the Pious are in every thread - until, of course, it happens to them. Then you just would not belieeeeeeeeeeeve how unfair it is!

northstar23

robt wrote: »

Ignoring the guard, ignoring the police and causing delays for hundreds of people is common sense then?

My point is insert common sense before any of that and don't you end up with a decent outcome for everyone?

I genuinly don't know when you back down though... as you say ignoring the guard and police and such isn't such a great idea... but by the same token it wasn't exactly a fair cop so are you not allowed some form of argument/protest?