confused over un manned stations.

[MCW]

Hi all,

Today I got into a bit of a tiswas but luckily I didn't end up in trouble. With having Asperger's and being in an unfamiliar place at the time, i got very confused with syston station. the 16:08 to Leicester came in and I got on it, we arrived in Leicester but no conductor came down the train to issue tickets.

There was a thin tallish black machine which spoke about ticket permits but I don't understand what these are for, it mentioned using it against a ticket and paying the rest of the balance, which I didn't understand.

When I arrived at Leicester I felt quite bad about what happened, so I calmed down a bit and found a member of staff to talk to, I explained the situation as above and he said that I hadn't done anything wrong and it was my choice if I wanted to pay the fare or not!! He said it wasn't a problem, but It was my choice if I just walked away (which he said I could do) or purchase a ticket. Being the type of person I am I bought an anytime single for Leicester to syston, so I paid my money, I felt better for doing it, but I'm quite worried about it happening again somewhere else where I may not have a chance to explain something to someone.

Did I do the right thing or is there something I can do to help stop it from happening next time?

thanks.

 

[dave_wm]

It sounds like you saw a Permit to Travel machine - these work as follows.

You put some money in (anything from 5p upwards) towards paying the fare, and it issues you with a slip for this amount. When the time comes to purchase a ticket, either from the conductor on board the train or from a ticket office later on, this amount is deducted from your ticket. So for example, if you put in 50p towards the £2.80 Syston - Leicester fare, you'd only have to pay £2.30 when you come to buy the full ticket.

In Penalty Fare areas (which are the ones where these machines are fitted), it is generally compulsory to purchase a permit to travel to avoid a penalty fare once on board the train, but leniency is generally shown when you didn't show intent to avoid the fare. The tickets look like this http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/80/PERTIS.png and prove the date, time, location and how much was paid for the permit.

Hope that helps!

 

[bb21]

It is indeed a Permit to Travel machine.

As EMT operate a Penalty Fares Scheme, you were given incorrect information. If you boarded at Syston without a Permit to Travel, you could be liable for a Penalty Fare.

You must, if possible, put as much as you can (in coins of 5p or above) towards the fare at this machine and pay the balance on the train or at the excess fares window at Leicester (at the top of the stairs from Platform 3/4). You do not have to overpay.

If you intend to pay by card and do not have any cash on you, you do not have to pay anything at the Permit to Travel machine. Simply purchase your ticket from the onboard conductor or at the excess fares window at Leicester.

When you insert the money into the Permit to Travel machine and press the green button, you get a ticket like the ones attached to this post.

 

[MCW]

thanks for the replies I understand what you mean now.

It's just when I read it I thought it meant it'll take your money, but it wasn't clear as to how much any fare was etc.

Ok that's cleared it up a bit, shall remember that for next time