fined for buying ticket after boarding train

[madapoo]

Hello,
Earlier today i was travelling from selly oak to birmingham new street. I was rushing because of a coach i needed to catch so I was just going to buy one on my phone. My phone is old so was having connection issues, so I boarded the train and carried on trying from there. This is only a 10ish minute journey so there’s not much time for me to do this. It was only when i reached new street i could buy one on their wifi (i was also using my valid 16-25 railcard if that’s relevant). However at the gates i was stopped and told my ticket was invalid and that i was going to be given a notice. He said it wasn’t about me it’s because of people travelling from redditch/bromsgrove but buying a ticket on the last stop and that i can just appeal using the link on the receipt and sending a screenshot of my ticket. I didn’t realise until he gave me the receipt that he meant a fine not just a warning. I’m a student so i can’t just drop £50-£100 easily. If anyone has any advice for appealing i’d be very happy.
I have attached the fine paperwork too
Thank you

 

[John R]

Setting aside the merits of the case, there appears some very odd wording at the top of the PF notice. It seems as though some of it is missing, including the relevant section as to why a PF has been issued. Also, the inspector doesn't appear to have retained the section they should have done at the bottom.

 

[madapoo]

Setting aside the merits of the case, there appears some very odd wording at the top of the PF notice. It seems as though some of it is missing, including the relevant section as to why a PF has been issued. Also, the inspector doesn't appear to have retained the section they should have done at the bottom.

yes i noticed that bottom part, not sure if the bad printing or the fact he didn’t keep the physical confirmation would be grounds to get away fine free or not

 

[AlterEgo]

Setting aside the merits of the case, there appears some very odd wording at the top of the PF notice. It seems as though some of it is missing, including the relevant section as to why a PF has been issued. Also, the inspector doesn't appear to have retained the section they should have done at the bottom.

The reason for issue is given, as Purchase After Departure. This isn’t a valid reason to issue a penalty fare, because purchasing after departure but before inspection may be a Bylaw offence but it isn’t an “invalid ticket” when shown.

 

[madapoo]

The reason for issue is given, as Purchase After Departure. This isn’t a valid reason to issue a penalty fare, because purchasing after departure but before inspection may be a Bylaw offence but it isn’t an “invalid ticket” when shown.

would you recommend i mention this in the appeal?

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

Legally speaking you comitted a criminal offence under the Railway Byelaws because you were not in possession of a valid ticket before you boarded the train. I'm afraid rushing for a train or poor WiFi is no excuse. You could have used the ticket machine or ticket office at Selly Oak to purchase a ticket.

West Midlands Trains are entitled to prosecute you in the Magistrates Court if they want to. Often in cases like this they would contact you and, as long as you co-operate with their investigation, would offer you an out of court settlement where you would pay them a sum of money and in return they would not send the case to court.

Penalty Fares can be issued for a number of reasons. They are a higher than normal fare that is charged in certain situations where a passenger has an invalid or no ticket. The problem here is buying a ticket after the train has departed is not a valid reason for issuing a Penalty Fare. If you appeal the Penalty Fare I expect the first two appeals would be rejected. It is only the third appeal that is truly independent.

It is also possible that WMT could cancel the Penalty Fare before the Appeals Panel has decided the outcome of the appeal which could then mean that they could prosecute you under the Railway Byelaws.