Ripped off by Ticket Inspector

alexman

I have just received a very angry phone call from my girlfriend about the ticket inspector on her train journey. Naturally the first place I thought to look for help was here... so don't let me down guys!

We are both students, and she gets one of those 5 year student rail card from Natwest that entitles you to 33% off your train journey. However the card she has expires after a year, so you have to request a new one from them before the start of each academic year. Knowing she had to travel on the train today she requested one from Natwest over 2 weeks ago, but unfortunately it has still not arrived. She decided to buy a student train ticket today at £30 return (normally £45) and use the expired card and her student card to explain the situation to any ticket inspectors. Unfortunately the ticket inspector on todays train was a bit of an a******* by the sounds of it, he was intimidating, threatening, and more than one dialled 999 into his phone in order to call the transport police. Naturally, my girlfriend was pressured into buying a single train ticket at a price of £51 as she was worried about being arrested. She then had to buy a return journey ticket at a cost of £18, bringing the whole total to £99.

I was thinking of writing to Natwest to complain about the slow service resulting in my girlfriend not having a Student Railcard when she needed it, and also complaining to the train company about the ticket inspectors actions and behaviour.

I was wondering what you guys think about this course of action, and could offer any advice? I know that train companies tend to be notoriously difficult to talk to

Thanks
Alex

Sambucus_Nigra

Ok - so how is the ticket inspector to know the difference between an expired card and someone trying it on; and an expired card and someone who hasn't applied in time for a new one?

vax2002

So, she fraudulently used an invalid permit to obtain services.
My honest opinion, she has been done a favour and the ticket inspector might not be such an ar**hole after all.
She could have ended up in court.

custardy

so travelling with an expired student card from the previous semmester
how many ex students do you think try that trick

-

My 5 Year 16-25 Railcard expired and I have not received a replacement, why?
Renewal Railcards are sent annually in July as long as Student Account has been used as main Student Account. If you haven’t received your renewed Railcard by 30 July please call 0191 501 3990. (Minicom 0191 501 4570).

so that wasnt 20 days ago,was it?

jwruk

alexman wrote: »

I was wondering what you guys think about this course of action, and could offer any advice?

My advise, make sure you have a valid ticket to travel and don't knowingly travel with an invalid ticket and then complain then you receive a fine.

wealdroam

And just in case anyone* thinks Custardy is making it up, here is a link to the NatWest page...

https://students.natwest.com/Info/NWCommonQuestions.aspx#replacement_railcard







*not me guv...

LandyAndy

alexman wrote: »

I was thinking of writing to Natwest to complain about the slow service resulting in my girlfriend not having a Student Railcard when she needed it, and also complaining to the train company about the ticket inspectors actions and behaviour.

Can your gf not write?

Save your (or her) ink for writing your next essay.:cool:

slyracoon

She had an expired railcard so therefore was not entitled to purchase a discounted ticket. The ticket inspector rightly made her purchase the correct single ticket to her destination.

alexman

These were exactly the responses I was looking for. I just needed someone else's opinion before telling her...

Is it just me or does other people's OH's tend to lack perspective when they're in the wrong?

McKneff

He was probably a very nice ticket inspector just doing his job and getting all these students to toe the line and stop defrauding the peolple who employ him.

He probably has to put up with this sort of thing 50 times a day so when he catches one, he's doing his job correctly.

Good for him.

LandyAndy

alexman wrote: »

These were exactly the responses I was looking for. I just needed someone else's opinion before telling her...

Is it just me or does other people's OH's tend to lack perspective when they're in the wrong?

:rotfl:My wife is a lovely woman:cool: but she simply cannot bring herself to admit fault or being wrong about something.:(

Typical exchange:

MrsLA: "I think x"
LA: "No, x is wrong and these are the reasons".
MrsLA: "That's just what I was I was thinking".:mad::rotfl: