Penalty fare - any basis for appeal?

[CasperNotDGhos]

I have been caught without a ticket on a West Midlands train travelling from Droitwich Spa to Worcester Foregate Street. I pretended that I did have a ticket but I just couldn’t show because of signal loss so he said I can appeal if I can show my ticket later. Interaction was respectful both ways, he was wearing a body cam and looked very different to a normal train conductor. Pictures of the ticket attached, any basis for appeal?

 

[Haywain]

I have been caught without a ticket on a West Midlands train travelling from Droitwich Spa to Worcester Foregate Street. I pretended that I did have a ticket but I just couldn’t show because of signal loss so he said I can appeal if I can show my ticket later. Interaction was respectful both ways, he was wearing a body cam and looked very different to a normal train conductor. Pictures of the ticket attached, any basis for appeal?

Possibly but from the train company's point of view there is also a basis for prosecution. I'd suggest you pay it and move on.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

@CasperNotDGhos. Welcome to the forum. If you pay promptly, it's only £54.20 to pay. Can't see you that have any valid basis to appeal. Best to chalk this one up to experience.

 

[CasperNotDGhos]

Thanks for the replies, I’ll pay it now.

 

[WesternLancer]

I have been caught without a ticket on a West Midlands train travelling from Droitwich Spa to Worcester Foregate Street. I pretended that I did have a ticket but I just couldn’t show because of signal loss so he said I can appeal if I can show my ticket later. Interaction was respectful both ways, he was wearing a body cam and looked very different to a normal train conductor. Pictures of the ticket attached, any basis for appeal?

don't draw attention to your self by appealing this one
The rule is strictly 'buy before you board' - the person you encountered was almost certainly a revenue Protection officer.
They have tech on their ticket scanners to see exactly when the ticket was bought so can know if it was bought after you stepped on the train at any particular station.

They will make a record of the Penalty Fare being issued - - they might not offer that option next time (it's the least worst option they can sanction you with - everting else will cost you way more as it's either you making payment of an out of court settlement (think c£175 no appeal rights) or the sentence from the magistrates court (criminal record comes with that as well as a fine)...