Expired railcard - penalty fare

[matchalatte]

Hi, I was on the train with WM today and I didn’t know my railcard expired since December. I was checked by an officer where I found out and profusely apologised. He took a picture of my railcard and took my name + address. I got issued a penalty fare which I just paid. I’m just super anxious/unsure whether this could lead to an investigation for previous journeys (this is my only journey with WM). The penalty fare reason was listed as “No supporting document.”

 

[AlterEgo]

West Midlands Trains do habitually perform audits when people have paid penalty fares in these circumstances and often write to people. They would be entitled to claim money via civil means for this sort of historic irregularitiy but would struggle to make a criminal case without your input. Let us know if and when you receive any letter, but for now, don't let it bother you.

 

[matchalatte]

West Midlands Trains do habitually perform audits when people have paid penalty fares in these circumstances and often write to people. They would be entitled to claim money via civil means for this sort of historic irregularitiy but would struggle to make a criminal case without your input. Let us know if and when you receive any letter, but for now, don't let it bother you.

Thank you for your response! Do they check and claim for journeys with other providers?

 

[jfollows]

Although they can research your online history with other companies, it’s likely that a Penalty Fare and its payment will conclude this particular incident.
We can’t guess on the possible alternative outcomes, though.
If they send you some kind of vague fishing letter, come back here because it may be best to ignore it. The only normal threat they can make is based on a potential prosecution, which you may have deflected in this particular case.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

There has been a distinct change of approach that the RPSMs have been told to use going forward (as directed by DFTO).

They are to issue PFs for instances such as this and not to be audited further. Internally this has been linked to bad press regarding WMTs conduct regarding email threats etc.

Whilst I obviously cannot 100% guarantee no further action will be taken, there has been a marked reduction in WMT cases on the forum for the past few months, which ties in to the rough date I was made aware of the change in policy.

Hopefully you're treated the same, and paying the PF is the end of the matter for you.

 

[6Gman]

There has been a distinct change of approach that the RPSMs have been told to use going forward (as directed by DFTO).

They are to issue PFs for instances such as this and not to be audited further. Internally this has been linked to bad press regarding WMTs conduct regarding email threats etc.

Whilst I obviously cannot 100% guarantee no further action will be taken, there has been a marked reduction in WMT cases on the forum for the past few months, which ties in to the rough date I was made aware of the change in policy.

Hopefully you're treated the same, and paying the PF is the end of the matter for you.

Can you explain RPSM and DFTO please?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Can you explain RPSM and DFTO please?

RPSM - Revenue Protection & Security Manager. WMTs version of RPI - Revenue Protection Manager.

DFTO - Department of Transport Operator. The umbrella who runs those TOCs taken back from management contracts.