Accused of fraud by British Rail

Freddie_Snowbits

Thanks for the answer

As it appears that the card may have been incorrectly issued, then I would play this game in this instance.

Stigy

fluffnutter wrote: »

I've read a few articles suggesting that ticket inspectors let their little caps and uniforms go to their heads... not exactly the same scenario but it illustrates my point.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2010/oct/23/train-fare-dodging-commuters

As with most media tripe, there's inaccuracies in that report that everbody choses to believe because it's a national paper and a few disgruntled punters, over the big nasty Rail Operators and their "clampers" (RPIs).

Firstly, I'm pretty sure they're getting confused with Guards/Conductors and RPIs, as only Guards/Conductors receive commision, and that's on ticket sales, not Penalty Fares, as they can't issue PFs as their main responsibility is the safe operation of the train.

Also, suggesting that they make the rules up as the go along is a bit far fetched, because if they did make the rules up as they went along, they'd never be in court for the right reasons. People assume that fare evasion is punished with a Penalty Fare. It isn't, it's punished at Mags Court. Also, fare evasion isn't punished by way of a byelaw, and is punished using s.5.3(a) Reguslation of Railway Act 1889. This act holds more weight and is meant for blatent fare evaders, not those who ran for thgeir train and say they didn't have time to buy a ticket, that's what byelaws are for.

rolo-polo1965

Wrote to Family Rail card, told them what had happened. Recieved a phone call from them apologising about what had happened and that they had passed my letter on to East Midlands trains who would be contacting me in the next couple of days!

Not heard any thing from them so contacted family Rail card guy who i spoke to befor as i had asked for him name and number. He told me that East Midland Trains had been told to return my rail card to me on the 6th January. I explained that i had recieved nothing. He told me he would look into it for me and get back to me.

Today i get a call apologin=sing for the delay and informing me that yes my rail card had been returned to me on the 6th January. Beut seeing as it seems to have got lost in the post they will send me out some vouchers to enable me to purchase a new one and to cover the cost of the extra tickets that the kids had to buy. I should recieve these within the next xouple of days.

Well i was quite happy!

hippey

Unfortunatly a lot of ticket sellers / windows don't always ask for you Railcard before they sell you a discounted ticket and even if they do they don't often look at it properly.

It doesn't matter if it was an RPI or conductor they should treat you respectfully and in many cases where there is a complaint the CCTV will be viewed as long as you contact them quickly enough. Although I can't be certain this happens on the BR it certainly does on LT.

If you have the wrong ticket to travel the normal course of event depends on who's dealing with you and your excuse. No ticket - Penalty Fare or Prosecution, Expired / Exceeded travel - Penalty Fare or Prosecution, Altered Tickets / Invalid Discounts (Childs, Railcards, Privs etc..) Prosecution (Normally)

This isn't the rule book but it's a good guide, the BR fare system is soooooooooooo complex with different operators, off peak times, travel classes, stopping patterns etc you do sometimes need a degree to work out if your ticket is valid!