Accidentally boarded a West Midlands train

[p_woodie]

Hi,

I would like some advice on a Penalty Notice I received please.

In a panic to get home urgently (for personal reasons), I ran and boarded the wrong train from London Euston which ended up being a West Midlands train to Leighton Buzzard (miles from where I live).

I usually commute to and from London Euston from Bushey on the London North Western service (and I can prove this from my TFL Contactless statements).

The mistake happened because my train was delayed and I had been waiting ages for the platform to become available. The train was due to leave in 2 mins and I thought I saw the platform flash up on the board so I ran to catch it. It was obviously the wrong platform and train.

In the rush to get on the train I also forgot to tap my contactless, which now I realise is because there was nowhere to tap on that platform as it doesn't service LNW trains.

I tried to explain this to the ticket inspector on the train and was devastated when I found out I was on a non-stop fast service to Leighton Buzzard, causing more stress to the already stressful situation I was in.

She was very sympathetic but had to issue me with a fine because I didn't have a ticket or had tapped, but she said I should contest.

I want to question whether I have a case to fight this? Or should I just pay the reduced penalty? As at the end of the day I was on a train without a ticket.

Any advice appreciated please.

Thank you.

 

[z444z]

Could you please upload an image of the penalty fare notice you received with your personal details redacted?

 

[JonathanH]

In the rush to get on the train I also forgot to tap my contactless, which now I realise is because there was nowhere to tap on that platform as it doesn't service LNW trains.

For future reference, there are Oyster / Contactless readers at the top of the ramps on all of the platforms at Euston. Only platforms 1-3 and 8-11 have barriers, but LNW departures can be from other platforms, which is why the readers are fitted.

While it will be scant consolation, if you were to travel from Euston to Leighton Buzzard and back to Bushey on Contactless and completed the journey in under 2 hours 10 minutes there would be no problem at all with regard to the unfortunate detour.

 

[p_woodie]

Could you please upload an image of the penalty fare notice you received with your personal details redacted?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Dec 2025 ==

For future reference, there are Oyster / Contactless readers at the top of the ramps on all of the platforms at Euston. Only platforms 1-3 and 8-11 have barriers, but LNW departures can be from other platforms, which is why the readers are fitted.

While it will be scant consolation, if you were to travel from Euston to Leighton Buzzard and back to Bushey on Contactless and completed the journey in under 2 hours 10 minutes there would be no problem at all with regard to the unfortunate detour.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Dec 2025 ==

Could you please upload an image of the penalty fare notice you received with your personal details redacted?

 

[AlterEgo]

We need to see the time it was issued so we can reconcile it with the fare charged to see it is lawful.

Which train did you actually end up on?

 

[p_woodie]

For future reference, there are Oyster / Contactless readers at the top of the ramps on all of the platforms at Euston. Only platforms 1-3 and 8-11 have barriers, but LNW departures can be from other platforms, which is why the readers are fitted.

While it will be scant consolation, if you were to travel from Euston to Leighton Buzzard and back to Bushey on Contactless and completed the journey in under 2 hours 10 minutes there would be no problem at all with regard to the unfortunate detour.

Sadly it was platform 1 and there were no barriers that I saw otherwise it would’ve stopped me getting on the train! Wish they had.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Dec 2025 ==

We need to see the time it was issued so we can reconcile it with the fare charged to see it is lawful.

Which train did you actually end up on?

Oh sorry the time was 17:06. Looking at train times it must’ve been the 16:56 I was on or maybe an earlier delayed service

 

[Russel]

Sadly it was platform 1 and there were no barriers that I saw otherwise it would’ve stopped me getting on the train! Wish they had.

Are you 100% sure it was platform 1 at Euston?

Platform 1 has a ticket barrier gateline on the platform, you have to walk through it to access the platform, no way around it.

 

[z444z]

Oh sorry the time was 17:06. Looking at train times it must’ve been the 16:56 I was on or maybe an earlier delayed service

And the date?

 

[bb21]

Are you 100% sure it was platform 1 at Euston?

Platform 1 has a ticket barrier gateline on the platform, you have to walk through it to access the platform, no way around it.

I can see 1Y55 today indeed departed from Pl 1 (and booked as such) which surprised me, first stop Leighton Buzzard.

As to the gates, I believe they are often left open so can be quite easily missed if I recall.

 

[ChilliSauce]

I can see 1Y55 today indeed departed from Pl 1 (and booked as such) which surprised me, first stop Leighton Buzzard.

As to the gates, I believe they are often left open so can be quite easily missed if I recall.

Platform 1 / 2 at Euston does indeed have gates as that is the only time when using an Avanti service I have to "touch in".

Its a pity you didn't touch in then it might of been easier to have challenged being on the wrong train as by doubling back to Bushey and then touching out I suspect it could be argued that you hadn't actually intentionally ridden past your intended destination.

 

[z444z]

I can see 1Y55 today indeed departed from Pl 1 (and booked as such) which surprised me, first stop Leighton Buzzard.

We haven’t had confirmation that this was today but if it was (or was any other weekday) the penalty fare has been issued incorrectly as the off peak fare of £11.50 has been charged when the correct fare for a 16:56 train is the £20.90 Anytime Day Single.

If that’s the case it may be worth appealing on the basis that the wrong amount was charged and so the penalty fare was not issued in accordance with the regulations - even though the error worked out in your favour this time.

 

[furlong]

Firstly can you try to explain precisely how this happened. Where you were waiting at what times, what you were looking at for your information etc.

I only see a change from platform 9 to platform 10.

How did platform 1 ever come into this? Could you have misread '10' as '1'?

Or did you just read the correct information for completely the wrong train?

(The date of the notice was Tuesday.)

Euston is notorious for failing to provide platform information in advance making people rush for trains that suddenly appear as if they are departing almost immediately.

You'll need to be crystal clear about what happened and how then appeal under the "compelling reasons" heading.

Luckily however it appears the wrong fare was charged so you can also make a more straightforward appeal that the penalty wasn't issued in accordance with the regulations.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Where do you actually live?

 

[bb21]

We haven’t had confirmation that this was today but if it was (or was any other weekday) the penalty fare has been issued incorrectly as the off peak fare of £11.50 has been charged when the correct fare for a 16:56 train is the £20.90 Anytime Day Single.

If that’s the case it may be worth appealing on the basis that the wrong amount was charged and so the penalty fare was not issued in accordance with the regulations - even though the error worked out in your favour this time.

It was the same yesterday. The notice gives a 21-day deadline as 31/12 therefore today would be an educated guess (but also possible it was yesterday depending on how you count the days).

Edit: Also for completeness according to what @furlong mentioned above, Tuesday was also the same. This seems to stem from some clever platform sharing between two 8-car trains (1U43/1Y55) utilising a long platform for quick turnarounds.

 

[p_woodie]

Thanks for your messages. It was on Tuesday afternoon and I’m 99% sure it was platform 1. I definitely didn’t walk through any barriers as I always tap if I do, I was running along the platform edge and jumped on the train as the doors were shutting. I was following everyone else I would’ve noticed other people going through barriers. It’s really strange.

The platform flashed up on the board 2 mins before the delayed train said it was departing so I was panicking as I really needed to catch it. Maybe it did say 10 and I saw 1, that is possible. The other possibility is that the screens could have shifted along to the left and I didn’t realise, so I thought they had revealed the platform.

One other thing to note is that after I arrived at Leighton Buzzard, I bought a return ticket straight away back to Bushey, so this is proof I didn’t stay there. Frustratingly the return train was also delayed and then cancelled on me so it took a further hour to get home. It was a complete nightmare. The trains were a mess day.

 

[rebmcr]

I bought a return ticket straight away back to Bushey, so this is proof I didn’t stay there.

It's best to set aside this sort of thinking. If the railway thought you were a fare-dodger, they would be investigating for prosecution.

But instead they issued the Penalty Fare, which is designed for genuine mistakes like the one you made — even if it feels too harsh. This means they already believe you.

It's lucky that your Penalty Fare was issued with the wrong ticket type (as pointed out above), this is the only reason that you can go to them with to get it overturned, anything else like "it was confusing", "I can't afford this", "you have caused me stress & anguish" will all just be thrown in the bin, the system is ruthless.

Sometimes this forum sees valid reasons (like your wrong ticket type) ignored because the assessors reject a pleading reason that was submitted alongside.

So just focus on the wrong ticket type and leave out anything else, for your best chance of success.

 

[z444z]

I’d suggest the OP should get some help drafting the appeal from people on here for best chances of success. I should be able to send some pointers in the afternoon but someone will probably beat me to it!

 

[reb0118]

You mention that you were delayed returning from Leighton Buzzard to Bushey, it may be cold comfort but remember to claim your delay-repay for that journey. It will offset, slightly, your penalty fare (if that is not successfully appealed).

 

[Bletchleyite]

Are you 100% sure it was platform 1 at Euston?

Platform 1 has a ticket barrier gateline on the platform, you have to walk through it to access the platform, no way around it.

The Euston P1-3 gateline is very rarely if ever used if the train boarding is not Avanti operated. The only time boarding checks are routinely carried out on WMT services is platforms 8-11 or very rare revenue blocks.

(Indeed the poster is incredibly unlucky to have met RPIs on board, that is very rare indeed!)

 

[John R]

Have we seen a successful
PF appeal where the only reason for the appeal was that the fare was lower than it should have been?

 

[AlterEgo]

Have we seen a successful
PF appeal where the only reason for the appeal was that the fare was lower than it should have been?

I can't recall one.

 

[ChilliSauce]

I can't recall one.

In theory I am not sure it actually matters if the wrong penalty fare was issued either 1p above or 1p below what the fare should of been ... It has still not been issued in accordance with the P.F. regulations ..

 

[AlterEgo]

In theory I am not sure it actually matters if the wrong penalty fare was issued either 1p above or 1p below what the fare should of been ... It has still not been issued in accordance with the P.F. regulations ..

In theory yes. In practice I don't think "I am appealing this penalty fare because you should have charged me more money" holds any weight. The passenger has found an error in their favour here.

 

[p_woodie]

Thanks everyone for your help. I’ve decided not to appeal as I think it will be a stressful process and it sounds like I don’t have a strong enough case in their eyes.

I’ve just paid the fine but have applied for a delay repay on the return journey - thanks for the tip!

 

[Russel]

The Euston P1-3 gateline is very rarely if ever used if the train boarding is not Avanti operated. The only time boarding checks are routinely carried out on WMT services is platforms 8-11 or very rare revenue blocks.

(Indeed the poster is incredibly unlucky to have met RPIs on board, that is very rare indeed!)

You're right about them rarely being used for non Avanti services.

But, you still have to physically walk through a barrier, open or closed, so I'm not sure how it could be missed.

 

[bb21]

You're right about them rarely being used for non Avanti services.

But, you still have to physically walk through a barrier, open or closed, so I'm not sure how it could be missed.

If I remember correctly there is a very wide gate on that gateline so if they were left open and platform relatively busy it is quite possible to miss it completely.

 

[Bletchleyite]

If I remember correctly there is a very wide gate on that gateline so if they were left open and platform relatively busy it is quite possible to miss it completely.

There is, yes - I walked through it yesterday evening in fact!

 

[SCDR_WMR]

The Euston P1-3 gateline is very rarely if ever used if the train boarding is not Avanti operated. The only time boarding checks are routinely carried out on WMT services is platforms 8-11 or very rare revenue blocks.

(Indeed the poster is incredibly unlucky to have met RPIs on board, that is very rare indeed!)

You'll be seeing them a lot more going forward.

The entire MK Revenue team is out on the network daily, mostly on Euston/MKC-Northampton (1Yxx) or Euston-Crewe (1Uxx). There are 40-45 of them now and are being tasked to be mostly onboard specific services through the next few months.

 

[Nippy]

Agree, I have had my pass checked far more in the last few months by both guards and RPIs.

 

[furlong]

The entire MK Revenue team is out on the network daily, mostly on Euston/MKC-Northampton (1Yxx) or Euston-Crewe (1Uxx). There are 40-45 of them now and are being tasked to be mostly onboard specific services through the next few months.

Would it be too much to ask that they have all read and digested the Penalty Fare regulations and been through various appeal situations so they don't make errors like the one suggested may have happened on this thread? They shouldn't be issuing penalties that are unenforceable because they don't meet the basic requirements of the regulations. Then the appeals system could focus on doing what it was set up to do - decide if the passenger was genuinely likely to have got on the wrong train by mistake by taking advantage of additional information not available to the inspector on board.