Rail fare fine - £3 to over £400 - any help?

ajdyer

Can anyone help.

I was fined for not paying the full fare from London Waterloo to Surbiton last July. I had an Oyster card with monthly zone 1-2 and got to the station as the train was about to leave. I had to board as I was meeting a friend in Surbiton to catch a lift to Gatwick to catch a flight.

I presumed I would be able to pay the extra fare either on board the train or when I arrived in Surbiton. When I got there I was met by a rude inspector who said it wasn’t possible to pay an extension and that I’d be fined.

I accepted the fine and told the guy I would appeal. When the letter came through I rang the number on there and left a message for them to call me back. I did the same again a few days later.

I then received another letter and did the same, called and left a message saying I wanted to dispute the fine. I then sent a written letter to them explaining the situation and asking them to review the fine.

Today I’ve had a summons drop through the door for the 26th January. I immediately called a number on the official letter for South-West trains and have been informed that my £3 fine will cost me now around £400/day.

I pleaded with him to see if there was another solution but have been told that unless I pay £280 by the court date then they will go ahead for a full prosecution.

If the case goes to court I will be given a criminal offence – for a £3 fine

I know I’ll get a lot of smart !!!! comments like – “should have bought a ticket at Waterloo” – “should have paid when the leter came through”

I’ve read that some train companies are making millions each year from these fines

Has anyone else successfully defended and had the fine reduced?

I’m willing to pay £100 but not £400!!!!

dzug1

ajdyer wrote: »

Can anyone help.

I was fined for not paying the full fare from London Waterloo to Surbiton last July. I had an Oyster card with monthly zone 1-2 and got to the station as the train was about to leave. I had to board as I was meeting a friend in Surbiton to catch a lift to Gatwick to catch a flight.

I presumed I would be able to pay the extra fare either on board the train or when I arrived in Surbiton. When I got there I was met by a rude inspector who said it wasn’t possible to pay an extension and that I’d be fined.

You presumed wrong I'm afraid. And why are inspectors always described as 'rude' in these circumstances? I am sure they are not. Even if they are it's irrelevant.

I accepted the fine and told the guy I would appeal. When the letter came through I rang the number on there and left a message for them to call me back. I did the same again a few days later.

I then received another letter and did the same, called and left a message saying I wanted to dispute the fine. I then sent a written letter to them explaining the situation and asking them to review the fine.

The situation as you describe it doesn't give any grounds to successfully appeal the fine.

Today I’ve had a summons drop through the door for the 26th January. I immediately called a number on the official letter for South-West trains and have been informed that my £3 fine will cost me now around £400/day.

I pleaded with him to see if there was another solution but have been told that unless I pay £280 by the court date then they will go ahead for a full prosecution.

If the case goes to court I will be given a criminal offence – for a £3 fine

It's a criminal offence regardless of the amount

I know I’ll get a lot of smart !!!! comments like – “should have bought a ticket at Waterloo” – “should have paid when the leter came through”

I’ve read that some train companies are making millions each year from these fines

Really? Where did you read that? I read that they are losing millions from those who get away with it

Has anyone else successfully defended and had the fine reduced?

I’m willing to pay £100 but not £400!!!!

Reply interspersed with your message

Hintza

ajdyer wrote: »

When the letter came through I rang the number on there and left a message for them to call me back.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Will soon become a criminal matter that might make make you sit up a bit faster.

You have ignored them and will now no doubt pay the price. Having said taht it does sound expensive, but probably still cheaper than the lawyer you might need shortly.

But you don't have to pay £400 its only £280

glider3560

Surbiton is in Zone 6, so you should have known that your Oyster card wouldn't be valid for the journey. You ALWAYS have to buy a valid ticket before you board if there are facilities available to buy your ticket. In your case, you can buy an "Oyster Extension Permit" from a ticket machine

That aside, we'll see what can be done to assist you. You say a fine - can you clarify what you mean: a Penalty Fare, an Unpaid Fares Notice, or something else. How much was it for? Where was the train when you were "fined" or had you already alighted?

A Penalty Fare (as charged by a revenue protection inspector) for that journey would be £20.00 - not £3. The standard cash single fare for the journey is £5.00, not £3.00.

If the case goes to court I will be given a criminal offence – for a £3 fine

But surely if you thought you'd win the appeal, then you think you'll win at court?

ajdyer

I called them and left clear voicemails with my name and number each time a letter came through

I also wrote a letter of complaint and heard nothing back. The company claim they never received it. Seems a convenient thing to ignore and then slap a massive fine on me.

I know I should have bought a ticket – however, I expected there to be a ticket inspector/seller on the train or be able to pay the fare/extension at the other end

I thought I might win the appeal because I genuinely never intended nor expected to be able to walk out the other end without paying

The worst thing is I’ve just worked my !!!! off for 3 months, working Saturdays to hit my sales target and get a bonus. Now it will be all be used to pay the fine.

Laugh if you want but I honestly believe I didn’t do anything dishonest.


On the court summons it details the unpaid journey as wimbledon to surbiton as a £3 fine

ajdyer

They claim I entered a train for the purpose of travelling without a valid ticket

They are claiming £130 for the first summons and £30 for each one thereafter

Or if I plead guilty, £100 for the first and £20 for each subsequent one

For sending me a letter and ignoring my calls!!!

glider3560

ajdyer wrote: »

On the court summons it details the unpaid journey as wimbledon to surbiton as a £3 fine

You would have been given some sort of paperwork when you were "fined". What is the fine on this and what is the form called?

Hintza

ajdyer wrote: »

For sending me a letter and ignoring my calls!!!

Never ever deal with situations like this with phone calls this needs to be dealt with in writing and you should not have ignored their letters.

ajdyer

Hintza wrote: »

Never ever deal with situations like this with phone calls this needs to be dealt with in writing and you should not have ignored their letters.

Ok, I'll admit to being a bit lazy about this. But I called the number on every 1 of their letters immediately, left voice mails and then sent a letter.

To repeat, I sent a letter but they claim it was never received.

Can I ask that unless people want to help out that they refrain with the judgmental comments. I know I should have dealt with this sooner and am now paying a hefty price.

glider3560

ajdyer wrote: »

Can I ask that unless people want to help out that they refrain with the judgmental comments. I know I should have dealt with this sooner and am now paying a hefty price.

I have tried to answer your question in my posts above. You haven't replied to any of my questions. How do you expect help if you aren't going to respond to our queries?

ajdyer

glider3560 wrote: »

You would have been given some sort of paperwork when you were "fined". What is the fine on this and what is the form called?

I was given a fine on the spot, even though I tried to pay the fare and wanted to settle the matter there and then.

I think I lost that on the stag weekend to Lisbon that I was traveling to embark on. Whilst in Lisbon I was diagnosed with tonsillitis so the fine was hardly at the front of my mind.

I've been charged under Bye Law No.18 (1)