Stopped with invalid railcard but nothing else said

[senyorcit]

Hi,

I was stopped earlier today on a London Northwest Railway service between Coventry and Euston with a railcard that had expired the day before - I had completely forgotten to check the date.

The conductor scanned my ticket/expired card and explained the oversight, but then didn't say anything else and walked off the train. They didn't take any other details.

As I was not offered a chance to purchase a valid ticket, does this mean that I can expect a letter in the post at a later date, or they had decided just to let it go?

Many thanks!

 

[Jan Mayen]

I'm sure others will give better advice soon, but my suggestion is to buy a new Railcard today, then just make a point of checking post and/or emails carefully for the next six months in case they follow up.

 

[senyorcit]

I'm sure others will give better advice soon, but my suggestion is to buy a new Railcard today, then just make a point of checking post and/or emails carefully for the next six months in case they follow up.

Yes, already have a new railcard sorted. Thanks!

 

[Starmill]

It's unlikely that anything further will come of the matter if you didn't have your details taken. It's not impossible though, so definitely don't lose the evidence of your two railcards and ticket.

 

[WesternLancer]

As I was not offered a chance to purchase a valid ticket, does this mean that I can expect a letter in the post at a later date, or they had decided just to let it go?

Many thanks!

If it’s revenue protection who stopped you being given a chance to buy a new valid ticket isn’t part of the procedure anyway.
The ticketing offence is boarding the train without a valid ticket.

They may have secured the details they need for you from the ticket scan.

To be on the safe side you need to watch post, e mail and spam for the next seven months I’m afraid.

Keep and save evidence of all old railcards just in case. Keep that long term. Over a year.

But it may be nothing comes of it.

 

[senyorcit]

If it’s revenue protection who stopped you being given a chance to buy a new valid ticket isn’t part of the procedure anyway.
The ticketing offence is boarding the train without a valid ticket.

They may have secured the details they need for you from the ticket scan.

To be on the safe side you need to watch post, e mail and spam for the next seven months I’m afraid.

Keep and save evidence of all old railcards just in case. Keep that long term. Over a year.

But it may be nothing comes of it.

Ok that's useful to know, thank you and I will do so.

 

[Kite159]

Assuming it was the guard checking tickets (as I believe there are a couple with LNR who don't lock themselves in the middle cabs and actually patrol the train), the best case situation is the guard does nothing other than maybe marking the ticket as "Accept with warning", as they don't want to fill in the report etc. Certainly, if the expiry date is within the last week maybe they will hope you renew the railcard now you are aware of it.

Worse case is they filled in a report with the relevant ticket number to pass across to the back end team to 'deal' with. Fingers crossed it is the first situation, but keep hold of the tickets & old railcard.

 

[senyorcit]

Assuming it was the guard checking tickets (as I believe there are a couple with LNR who don't lock themselves in the middle cabs and actually patrol the train), the best case situation is the guard does nothing other than maybe marking the ticket as "Accept with warning", as they don't want to fill in the report etc. Certainly, if the expiry date is within the last week maybe they will hope you renew the railcard now you are aware of it.

Worse case is they filled in a report with the relevant ticket number to pass across to the back end team to 'deal' with. Fingers crossed it is the first situation, but keep hold of the tickets & old railcard.

I'm pretty sure it was the guard, as there was another person checking who was dressed more as a police officer in black also checking, although they did not approach me in the end. So yep, not sure what the outcome will be but will be keeping a close check on mail & spam as advised.

Thanks to all for your contributions on the thread, much appreciated!

 

[gray1404]

Hopefully the it was a guard. It does sound to me like it was. Hopefully they also gave you the benefit of the doubt as your Railcard had only expired a day earlier. You have demonstrated good intent by renewing it as soon as the error was discovered same day.

Should you hear anything back I would be very tempted to explain this to the train company and ask that you are let off with a warning on this occasion. They can only say no. But hopefully you will not hear back.

As already advised keep hold of both railcards and check your email (including spam) and postal mail promptly for the next 6 months. I am however hopeful that you will not hear anything further.

Also do make sure your future tickets are in order. You do not want the same guard recognising you again or the back office realising down the line you have been spoken to twice (Incase the ticket was checked with a warning given logged).

Set yourself 2 reminders on your phone NOW. One 30 days before you Railcard expires as you can renew in advance and another on the day it expires.

 

[Cell2025]

Set yourself 2 reminders on your phone NOW. One 30 days before you Railcard expires as you can renew in advance and another on the day it expires.

Fair enough, but I think we received two e-mails in relation to renewing our Two Together card, and one when it actually expired, so I presume that it's a standard Railcard procedure. Of course that would not necessarily apply if it was a physical railcard.

 

[AlterEgo]

Fair enough, but I think we received two e-mails in relation to renewing our Two Together card, and one when it actually expired, so I presume that it's a standard Railcard procedure. Of course that would not necessarily apply if it was a physical railcard.

I think these will only be sent if one has opted into receiving marketing communications.

 

[Cell2025]

I think these will only be sent if one has opted into receiving marketing communications.

Of course.

 

[joebassman]

About 2 or 3 years ago I had a disabled railcard that I hadn't realised had expired. The guard just said it had expired, confiscated it and I never heard any more. That was on Greater Anglia.

 

[senyorcit]

Hopefully the it was a guard. It does sound to me like it was. Hopefully they also gave you the benefit of the doubt as your Railcard had only expired a day earlier. You have demonstrated good intent by renewing it as soon as the error was discovered same day.

Should you hear anything back I would be very tempted to explain this to the train company and ask that you are let off with a warning on this occasion. They can only say no. But hopefully you will not hear back.

As already advised keep hold of both railcards and check your email (including spam) and postal mail promptly for the next 6 months. I am however hopeful that you will not hear anything further.

Also do make sure your future tickets are in order. You do not want the same guard recognising you again or the back office realising down the line you have been spoken to twice (Incase the ticket was checked with a warning given logged).

Set yourself 2 reminders on your phone NOW. One 30 days before you Railcard expires as you can renew in advance and another on the day it expires.

Thanks, very good advice.