First Bus Standard Fare Charge

Caeraugirl

My student son was fined £50 yesterday on First Bus in Norwich as he was unable to produce his ticket when asked. He literally got on and paid a stop prior to the inspector, and put his single ticket straight in the bin. Despite the fact he was a muppet to do that, the fact that the driver could confirm he'd paid, he could literally get the ticket from the bin, and he could evidence payment on his banking app, he still got fined (after humiliatingly being walked off the bus by the inspector). Looking at the appeals process, I think he's stuffed as the fine is for failing to produce his ticket rather than failure to purchase one. Just wanted to ask if anyone has successfully appealed a standard fare charge with First Bus, or if he'll just have to cough up and learn his lesson... 

gner_ex

What does the notice say about appeals?

It may be a case of appealing to their better nature and apologising, sending the screenshots, etc.

I believe (but may be wrong) that it's only buses in London (and maybe now Manchester) where this could lead to a trip to the _magistrates_ court.  What age is he please?

Caeraugirl

gner_ex said:

What does the notice say about appeals?

It may be a case of appealing to their better nature and apologising, sending the screenshots, etc.

I believe (but may be wrong) that it's only buses in London (and maybe now Manchester) where this could lead to a trip to the _magistrates_ court.  What age is he please?

He's 21 so old enough to know better lol! We'd rather pay up than risk any further action, but feel that the process is a little unfair as he wasn't fare dodging but was marched off the bus and found the whole process very intimidating, so I'm going to appeal it.

Basically it says the fine is for not having a valid ticket in his possession but I've just seen this on their website:

When travelling, please have your ticket ready to show - this might be:

• A valid printed ticket for your journey
• A valid ticket on the First Bus App
• A valid bus pass
• A concessionary bus pass 
• The credit/debit card or the contactless device you used
• Any other valid travel document

If you're unable to show a valid ticket to travel or the required ID for your ticket our Revenue Protection Officers will issue a standard fare charge of £50. 

I'll quote it in appeal as he offered to show them his banking app with the pending payment, and he also says the sign regarding retention of tickets is very small and had to be pointed out to him by the enforcement officer when he was escorted off the bus. The enforcement officers have only been in post from 17th June and he's never been advised by any bus driver of the need to retain his ticket despite the bin being in his line of vision at the front of his bus. I know he's ultimately responsible for his actions, and in the wrong, but I'm still going to appeal on principle.

martindow

It does seem very harsh.  I think the phrase you highlighted

The credit/debit card or the contactless device you used

probably refers to tap on tap off systems where you get no paper ticket, used on some buses, rather than using a card to pay for a ticket.

In your position I'd definitely appeal as you are.

daveyjp

Contactless device is phone or watch.  On my last couple of First bus trips I haven't even been given a ticket after paying using Applepay.

username

I wouldn't rate the chances of success on this as he literally threw away the  'valid printed ticket for your journey'. 
A valuable but costly life lesson to hold onto your ticket until the end, as it is your proof of payment and entitlement for the journey and to be on the vehicle, which he can dispense with it into the bin as he so wishes at the end when getting off. 
A pending transaction from a bank app proves little, other than an attempted payment. What's to say I got on and paid my fare for the outward journey, but bumped on at the return, without paying?
That all said and done, it is harsh for him to get thrown off the bus for it as well.