Bought Wrong Ticket

[adam12]

Hi, so last week I was in a rush due to the fact that I had a test in the morning and was already running late, so it was imperative that I got on the next train which was about to set of. Moreover, when on the ticket machine I accidentally bought the wrong ticket, (concession ticket). This is from Northern

So when I arrived back to my local station (Rochdale) after heading to Manchester I was greeted with an inspector, she asked me why I had this ticket and told her that I was in a rush and it was a genuine mistake. She then asked me for my details which I gave, and then printed of a 'travel incident report' and handed it to me. I then asked what do I do now? She stated that I would receive a letter in the post. And said I would probably have to answer a few questions.

However, after searching the web I have not heard of anyone filling in some sort of questions and so i think she said this in order not to scare me about the fact that I would have to pay a fine, can she do this? And it states the fine for an incorrect ticket is £20, but after reading online it says the could charge me much more or even take me to court. I am very confused and at the same time scared and stressed, any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Hadders]

You will probably receive a letter from Northern saying that they have sufficient evidence to prosecute but asking for your version of events. Write a short, concise letter back to them apologising, saying that you have learned from the incident and offering to pay the outstanding fare plus the rail company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter. Don't give a sob story or excuses - they'll have heard it all before.

In all probability you'll be offered an administrative settlement of around £100 plus the outstanding fare. Some people refer to this as a fine but it isn't. A fine can only be imposed by a court.

 

[clagmonster]

What was the ticket and fare you accidentally paid?

 

[adam12]

You will probably receive a letter from Northern saying that they have sufficient evidence to prosecute but asking for your version of events. Write a short, concise letter back to them apologising, saying that you have learned from the incident and offering to pay the outstanding fare plus the rail company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter. Don't give a sob story or excuses - they'll have heard it all before.

In all probability you'll be offered an administrative settlement of around £100 plus the outstanding fare. Some people refer to this as a fine but it isn't. A fine can only be imposed by a court.

Thank you so much for the response, I don't mind paying the fine as it was my fault but I would not want a criminal record over this. Thanks again

 

[adam12]

What was the ticket and fare you accidentally paid?

It was £4.05 half the original which was £8.10

 

[Hadders]

I am being pedantic here but only a court can give you a fine. If you end up in court and get fined then you will have a criminal record.

If on the other hand you come to an agreement to pay some money to the train company which keeps the matter out of court then this isn't a fine and you won't get a criminal record. It might feel like a fine but it isn't.

 

[adam12]

/

I am being pedantic here but only a court can give you a fine. If you end up in court and get fined then you will have a criminal record.

If on the other hand you come to an agreement to pay some money to the train company which keeps the matter out of court then this isn't a fine and you won't get a criminal record. It might feel like a fine but it isn't.

Thanks for the response and one final question s it common for the company to come to an agreement, i'm willing to pay the outstanding fee, but is it likely they will even offer me it?

 

[clagmonster]

It was £4.05 half the original which was £8.10

It looks to me like you've paid a child fare - I can't see any other localised concession which would be half fare. How did you manage this, the TVM should default to one adult passenger when selecting a ticket? The suspicion from Northern may well be that you have done this deliberately to avoid paying the full fare.

 

[adam12]

It was definitely not a child ticket, to be honest I didn't even notice that I had the Concession ticket until she asked me how did you get this ticket. And I really don't know I was in a rush but now I think I've ruined my future career for being careless. Honestly I don't know what to do can you please help me

 

[island]

Expect to get a letter asking for a payment of £89.10 for the matter to be kept out of court.

 

[_toommm_]

What doesn't add up for me is the TVM will automatically default to an adult fare when you use the machine - you need to go through another two or three presses to get any sort of half fare, so how did you end up with a half fare?

 

[adam12]

It was definitely not a child ticket, to be honest I didn't even notice that I had the Concession ticket until she asked me how did you get this ticket. And I really don't know I was in a rush but now I think I've ruined my future career for being careless. Honestly I don't know what to do can you please help me. Maybe someone left it on tj

What doesn't add up for me is the TVM will automatically default to an adult fare when you use the machine - you need to go through another two or three presses to get any sort of half fare, so how did you end up with a half fare?

What doesn't add up for me is the TVM will automatically default to an adult fare when you use the machine - you need to go through another two or three presses to get any sort of half fare, so how did you end up with a half fare?

Maybe the the screen was up from the previous user? I honestly can't say for sure because I wasn't paying much attention to this.

 

[boxy321]

I bought a return instead of a single from Kenilworth the other day as I was in a rush. Am I the first person ever on here to buy a more expensive (30p extra) ticket by mistake?

 

[najaB]

I bought a return instead of a single from Kenilworth the other day as I was in a rush. Am I the first person ever on here to buy a more expensive (30p extra) ticket by mistake?

Nope, I've done it too. Many TVMs default to the more expensive option (e.g. a return rather than single, or Anytime rather than Off-Peak ticket) specifically so that someone doesn't pay for an invalid ticket by accident.

 

[najaB]

It was definitely not a child ticket, to be honest I didn't even notice that I had the Concession ticket until she asked me how did you get this ticket.

If it was from Rochdale to Manchester and cost £4.05 then it almost certainly was a child ticket. I can't see any other return for that journey at that price.

Edit: Job Seekers - I never remember that one.

 

[Haywain]

If it was from Rochdale to Manchester and cost £4.05 then it almost certainly was a child ticket. I can't see any other return for that journey at that price.

Edit: Job Seekers - I never remember that one.

Both of which must be deliberately selected.