Penalty for being on the wrong train

paaltjes

Hi,
I am Dutch and recently moved to Cambridge. Last week I urgently had to go to London. I purchased a return ticket from the machine and jumped on the London bound train which was waiting on the platform. When my ticket was checked it appeared that I was on the wrong train, First Capital Connect, while my ticket was for Greater Anglia. I had no idea that there are 2 companies offering service from Cambridge to London. On further inspection the ticket indeed mentions in very small print that the route is 'GRT ANG TRNSONLY'.
The ticket machine could not have been very clear either. I was fined £42.40 which I think is outrageous. The ticket inspector told me that this is a common occurrence, but was happy to issue the fine. Not a very welcoming experience!! Is there any hope if I contest this fine?
Thanks for any advise.

Livingthedream

Unfortunately the new fare was issued correctly so contesting it won't work, however, you might have a better chance of getting a refund for the Greater Anglia ticket minus any admin fee they might charge, stating that you never used the ticket, which in your case is correct.

Customer Relations
Greater Anglia
Norwich Railway Station
Station Approach
Norwich
NR1 1EF

Mankysteve

Not a lot you can do. Well come to wondrous world of the Uk rail system.

Hasbeen

The ticket machine could not have been very clear either. I was fined £42.40 which I think is outrageous. The ticket inspector told me that this is a common occurrence, but was happy to issue the fine. Not a very welcoming experience!! Is there any hope if I contest this fine?

Are you sure it was a "fine" it looks as though the train conductor has sold you two valid tickets for the company/train you were travelling on at the time? £42.40 is a fare there and back??

So you have two tickets left out and return, you can claim refund as livingthedream advises, less any admin fee due.

When going for a refund, write it out in dutch as greater Anglia is a dutch company, there may be a chance they will waive the admin fee

Was it a greater anglia ticket machine? as machines that sell any company tickets usually inform you of restrictions etc

geordieracer

I would mentioon posting on www.railforums.co.uk but it appears you already have