Strange situation with FGW.

chemer

Hello!
Can anyone give any advice about what should I do?
I travelled by train from a station, where no staff were present. When I got to Bristol I went straight to guards and explained that there was no staff on the station and there was noone to buy a ticket on the train, so could they please sell me a ticket. They asked where I came from. But when I said station name they protested and said that this station has staff in there. I was really in a hurry, tried to explain everything, but they was just to stupid to understand.

Right now I got the letter from FGW stated "Pre-court Action"
They Offered a to pay 70 quid so they will not file a case to the court for travelling without a valid ticket. What should I do? They got my surname spelled really strange, it is not my surname anymore.
And I just wonder should I make an appeal somewhere or should I ignore that letter, as it is on a completedly different surname. In 10 letters they spelled 3 wrong. First name is spelled ok though...

And another question. Why there wasn't any fine or something first? Why it straight pre court action, and a settlement to pay 70 quid for a 4 pounds ticket?

cosmojohnson

chemer wrote: »

Hello!
Can anyone give any advice about what should I do?
I travelled by train from a station, where no staff were present. When I got to Bristol I went straight to guards and explained that there was no staff on the station and there was noone to buy a ticket on the train, so could they please sell me a ticket. They asked where I came from. But when I said station name they protested and said that this station has staff in there. I was really in a hurry, tried to explain everything, but they was just to stupid to understand.

At which station did you start your journey?

And another question. Why there wasn't any fine or something first? Why it straight pre court action, and a settlement to pay 70 quid for a 4 pounds ticket?

A fine can only be issued by a court so that would be the last course of action.

dzug1

What was the station? Difficult to advise if that is not known.

maninthestreet

What station did you depart from, and what day + time of day? Was it really unstaffed, or is this a case of 'there was a queue for tickets and I arrived with only a few minutes to spare so didn't have the time to wait in the queue'???

martindow

If there was a ticket machine at the station you would be expected to buy a ticket whether the station was staffed or not.

Daisy70

martindow wrote: »

If there was a ticket machine at the station you would be expected to buy a ticket whether the station was staffed or not.

Yep. They would also check to see whether or not the station was staffed and the ticket machine working so make sure you are in the right. If you are, you can appeal.

chemer

Filton abbey wood. It was an early train 7 something on wednesday. And I got to the station well upfront, I have spent an Hour or so waiting for the train. They phoned someone to ask if there was someone on the station. They said there was. But there wasn't anyone around when I got there. I did same thing lots of time and never had a problem with them. I never realised there could be any sort of troble I always paid for my fares on the train when I got to go to Bristol or from the staff on Bristol Temple Meads station right before barrier....

How do I appeal?

maninthestreet

Who are the 'They' you refer to who phoned someone?
According to the link below, there are no ticket machines and the ticket office is only open for 3 hours in the evening Mon-Fri, and not at all at the weekends. There is a help point though - you didn't request help ???


http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/FIT.aspx

cosmojohnson

National Rail suggests the ticket office there is open 16:15-19:15 Mon-Fri, and there are no ticket machines. Furthermore, just because there was a member of staff at the station that doesn't mean they are able to sell tickets (e.g. if they were dispatching trains, cleaning etc.)

What does the letter say? Is it asking for your version of events, etc.?

cosmojohnson

maninthestreet wrote: »

There is a help point though - you didn't request help ???

I'm not sure a help point is of much use if you are unable to buy a ticket at the station! It's not as if they are going to rush a member of staff over in a taxi to the ticket office...

chemer

Well letter just saying that on <date> you sir travelled without a ticket from Yate to Bristol Temple Meads. It is an offence by <numbers of law stuff>. So before we file that thing to court please pay us 70 pounds, it is 4.80 fare and the rest is contribution towards the costs incurred to date. This offer made without prejudice. Please pay within 10 days.
I can scan that thing if it helps...

By "they calling" I ment tho whole bunch of station staff that was trying to convince me there is staff at that station, despite me telling them there was noone. So they picked up a phone (mobile) called somewhere and asked someone...I think they were calling to these people supposed to be at that station....