I am so angry@ penalty fare

somersertboy

Hi-thanks for all the replies,I think I am 'banged to rights' to pay the penalty fare-or possibly face a CCJ-it just seems so unfair.I have sent a recoreded letter-stating that i am now involved in a legal dispute with the seller and to stop all payment's and requests until it has been through court.I am very tempted to just let it go to court but I know that the majority of these kind of things the general public comes off worse.I may just pay the fine on the final day-just to let my letter get in-there wont be a response though I would imagine from the IAS.

Yes it was paid by Visa debit card-so it's a good point about the charge back and thanks for the link livingthedream.

And why exactly did you post robt?-do you have something to tell us?-you don't work for the IAS do you? becasuse it sounds to me like you are on their side, thats the companies who are ripping the public off with little or no morals or ethics on a daily basis just to provide a steady revenue income!? I think you are on the wrong forum pal! this one supports people power! :money:for your information Rob-I have drafted five letters now-the first being an outstanding piece of creative writing, I have walked to and from the post office-its my time that I am using and what do you know of my domestic utility costs? nothing-printers and refills are expensive, stamps,recorded delivery so yes I would say 20hrs is reasonable were I to pursue this through the court.So I would go and find a forum that supports harassing the general public.Yes I do know how suing works.Do you know how to spell it?:rotfl::rotfl:And Keith-its called the small claims court and costs £25 :T

robt_2

I look forward to you letting us know how it goes in court :T.

Are you going to elaborate how you will sue all three? No? Thought not - as you are talking rubbish.

I'm actually on your side, but I just think you have gone about it totally the wrong way.

wealdroam

Somersertboy, maybe Penalty Fare Victims Campaign
can help.

robt_2

wealdroam wrote: »

Somersertboy, maybe Penalty Fare Victims Campaign
can help.

To be fair that website looks like it was made by someone who got penalty fared who decided to make possibly one of the worse websites ever about it - it is truly awful! It is also full of lies.

Not to mention it not being updated for over six years.

wealdroam

wealdroam wrote: »

Somersertboy, maybe Penalty Fare Victims Campaign
can help.

robt wrote: »

To be fair that website looks like it was made by someone who got penalty fared who decided to make possibly one of the worse websites ever about it - it is truly awful! It is also full of lies.

Not to mention it not being updated for over six years.

Yes, You are right Rob.

I didn't bother reading it... I have no need.

OP, google is/maybe your friend. Try this site too.

dzug1

Turning up in court and defending it might be the best option.

I think I'm right in saying if the rail guy doesn't turn up (quite likely) the court will throw it out.

moonrakerz

Could I offer a suggestion, or two ?

Read this - well. http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/legislation/pf/penaltyfarespolicya

For a start Yeovil is NOT a PF station, see:
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/Penalty%20Fares%20maps.pdf

Was the XC train clearly identified to you (at Temple Meads) as a PF train - if not, it should have been ! If not, you did nothing wrong !
To some extent your main gripe is with FGW, but I daresay XC are ignoring the rules themselves anyway.

robt_2

S/he didn't get a penalty fare though.

They (through no fault of their own) got on a train and then refused to buy a ticket

Altarf

Let me get this straight -

1 - The OP used a facility provided by an authorised seller of train tickets to buy a ticket to travel from Yeovil to Stafford via Bristol.

2 - The authorised seller of train tickets offered the service that the train tickets could be picked up in advance from Yeovil.

3 - First Great Western, who run Yeovil station inform passengers that it will be open at the time the OP wanted to collect the tickets.

4 - The station was not open as advertised, and the OP has a letter from First Great Western confirming this.

5 - The OP had no other means of collecting the tickets from Yeovil.

6 - Due to the First Great Western train being late into Bristol, the OP had no opportunity to sort the problem out at Bristol.

7 - Cross Country Trains, on the leg from Bristol to Stafford, were not interested in the OP's problems, made no effort to check whether they were telling the truth, and merely penalty fared them.

8 - When the OP has raised the problem with both train companies, they have both washed their hands of the problem.

Personally I would write to the Chief Executives of both First Great Western and Cross Country Trains, with the letters copied to my local newspaper, pointing out the stupidity of the situation, and that they should sort it out between them. I would also advise them that if they still insisted on taking me to court I would let them, and that as it is an unpaid penalty fare, which is a civil matter, not a prosecution, I would request that it be transferred to my local county court (which as an individual would be allowed), where I would vigorously defend the case.

I somehow suspect a 'solution' would be found.

PasturesNew

Something similar happened to me, but I wasn't caught.... firm bought a return ticket to London and the train office wasn't open, so the train came and I got on it. And I sat in first class too (figured if you're going to blag it, go all the way). Only trouble was, I was then stuck in London ... but luckily a woman in the little office there phoned my boss and he paid for a ticket home on his credit card

I hope you get it sorted out, it's a darned nuisance when you've done what's right and been let down by systems, but still need to perform the tasks the journey was intended to achieve.