Forgotten rail card
lisyloo
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A short while Back we forgot our railcard so bought tickets without the discount. They did not get checked.
Can you buy tickets with the discount in the knowledge that even if a jobsworth gave you a fine you could appeal successfully?
Or is that not a defence and do we have to just take it on the chin and pay full price?
Can you buy tickets with the discount in the knowledge that even if a jobsworth gave you a fine you could appeal successfully?
Or is that not a defence and do we have to just take it on the chin and pay full price?
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You have to pay full price when travelling without a railcard.
No. If you buy tickets with the railcard discount i.e. with the intention of travelling with invalid tickets then you face a criminal prosecution for fraudulent travel, and there is no defence.
And why would someone protecting the railway and decent fare-paying passengers be a "jobsworth"?
No, you can't routinely do what you suggest. However, the rules have recently changed so you may be able to get a refund for a 'first offence', see:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/579850/action-plan-for-information-on-rail-fares-and-ticketing.pdf
On page 8:
What will we do for customers?
Where a customer holding a valid Railcard forgets it at the time of travel, they will on the first occasion be able to claim back any additional expense, including the cost of any extra fare and any penalty fare issued.
How will it happen?
In a similar manner as for when a Season Ticket left at home, customers will be able to provide proof of their Railcard online, by post or at the ticket office of the train company that they travelled with in order to obtain a refund or cancellation of additional charge, including the cost of any extra fare and any penalty fare issued.
Timescale
February 2017
Virgin certainly mention it on their website:
https://www.virgintrainseastcoast.com/faq/tickets-booking/railcards/forgot-to-carry-my-railcard/
Thanks for all the advice.
I simply meant someone who was applying the letter if the law and in that case my language was correct.
I understand they would just be doing their job and have no issue with it, but the vast majority of individuals I meet are more sympathetic and understanding.
Anyway thanks for the advice, Im glad I did the right thing.
What's the penalty for travelling intentionally without a valid ticket?
What's the penalty for unintentionally travelling without a valid ticket?
Just curious as I bought the correct ticket.
All rail operators would have a low/high penalty so figures quoted are based on that but the criminal record is the main thing to think about
In the unintentional case, for a first 'offence' the train companies may disregard it and even refund the additional fare charged as mentioned above.
In a first or low-value intentional case the train companies may leave it at you paying the additional fare and any penalty fare that applies.
If you don't pay, or for high-value or repeated offences it will go to court.
https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/item/railway-fare-evasion-revised-2017/
Man who dodged £2.50 rail fare is hit with £886 fine