I lent out my railcard and got fined. Who should pay?

Former_MSE_Joanne

NB: This question was sent in by a MoneySaver and featured in this week's email.

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks... I loaned my rail pass to my flatmate recently as I was staying in for the evening. He was supposed to put it back in my bag when he got in but he forgot. The next day I hopped on the train without thinking about it and was approached by a ticket inspector. It was only then I realised I didn’t have it and I was fined £40. Who should pay the fine?

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scotsbob

You pay the fine.


Leaving aside the fact that you acted fraudulently, just being stupid enough to get on public transport without first checking you have your ticket with you, means you pay the fine.

Sooler

Yep, as said, you did the crime, you pay the fine.

tgroom57

You pay the fine, for being a twit.

surreysaver

Well, only a court can issue a fine, so you weren't fined. But if you tell them you lent your railcard to your friend, that is enough evidence for them to prosecute you for fraud, when you can be fined and receive a criminal record. So you got off lightly.

silkcutblue

Unfort for you, if you travel, you need the appropriate ticket/discount card. Always check before traveling.

However... your friend should have put it back in your bag so, if nothing else, they owe you a beer.

florere

If you hadn't done the crime you wouldn't have been fined, don't do it again, you could both end up with a criminal record.

cazpost

You should have checked you had your ticket before you got on the train. That is your own fault.
You shouldn't have lent it to your friend in the first place,but you should have checked he'd put it back .

artfult

The fact that this question even needs to be asked suggests that the claim/blame culture in our country is getting out of hand! Why is it that more and more people feel that they are not not responsible for their own actions.

In case that isn't clear, I think you should pay the fine but more importantly use it at a lesson and don't think that anyone else should be responsible for your actions.

brewerdave

Not a direct answer to the original post.....but,travelling on a bus recently an old dear got on, and told the driver that she couldn't find her pass...he made her pay...and her language made even me blush:rotfl:
The general consensus was that the driver was right!!...she got on knowing she hadn't got her pass.

JeremyCH

You should