Asked to buy a new ticket

Kiko4564

If I am asked to buy a whole new ticket, despite already holding a valid ticket when travelling by train then what should I do? What if I'm asked to overpay for an excess e.g. a change of route one?

Caz3121

this one https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6074334/conductor-refused-valid-ticket
or another journey?

yorkie2

Kiko4564 wrote: »

If I am asked to buy a whole new ticket, despite already holding a valid ticket when travelling by train then what should I do? What if I'm asked to overpay for an excess e.g. a change of route one?

It depends on the circumstances and, crucially, what you want to achieve.


If you pay up, it is easier to demonstrate a contractual breach, and that an actual loss has occurred.



If you refuse to pay, then the contractual breach may be harder to evidence. Any losses may be time-based rather than monetary.


One thing I would be absolutely clear on is to consider the possibility you could be prosecuted if you do not pay up; if you are prosecuted you would want to be sure of winning. But to be sure of winning, even if you had a valid ticket, I would say it is crucial to be properly represented by a solicitor in court. That won't be cheap. So if you do not have the money for that, you need to rule out any course of action that could result in a prosecution.

Kiko4564

I meant another journey, an example of that being overcharged an excess when travelling Thetford to London Via Peterborough, when holding a ticket only valid via a cheaper route e.g. Via Cambridge. Or holding a ticket valid for travel from Wymondham to Cambridge, and being told that it is not valid when travelling via Stowmarket, when it is in fact a permitted route.

thatcarguy

What would be the reason that you'd have to buy a new ticket if your ticket was already valid?

This doesn't sound like fair play...

yorkie2

Kiko4564 wrote: »

I meant another journey, an example of that being overcharged an excess when travelling Thetford to London Via Peterborough, when holding a ticket only valid via a cheaper route e.g. Via Cambridge.

In this case I would probably state my willingness to pay the excess fare (charged as the difference between the fares, or half the difference in the case of a return fare) and state that I had no additional money available to pay any more than that. There is a clear contractual right to this type of excess (unlike others, e.g. overdistance, where there isn't) and so I would not budge.


If I felt that I wanted to prove a point that the company was acting unlawfully I would consider gathering evidence, paying for the ticket (using a credit card) and ask for an investigation to be carried out as well as a prompt refund (if the refund was not prompt I would carry out a chargeback request), however it's a lot of hassle and would really depend on my circumstances and mood at the time

Kiko4564 wrote: »

Or holding a ticket valid for travel from Wymondham to Cambridge, and being told that it is not valid when travelling via Stowmarket, when it is in fact a permitted route.

I would not travel from Wymondham to Cambridge via Bury St Edmonds without an itinerary, evidencing my contractual right to use that route. I would stick to the itinerary and show it if challenged. This would ensure no additional charge was made and reduce the risks of this loophole/anomaly being removed.


If you insist on the right to walk-up travel on routes that have more expensive intermediate fares, you risk the removal of those routes, which is counterproductive

Kiko4564

Fair point I suppose. Or I could just buy a more expensive ticket to Bury St Edmunds and ask for a zero fare excess if travelling beyond there?