GWR fine for being on train at the wrong time

[apuri101]

I have recently been issued with a fine from GWR of £193 for a journey from London Paddington to bath spa. On this journey I had a ticket which was meant for off-peak times, and travelled at a peak time unknowingly. Is this a fair appeal to at least have some of the fine taken off, considering I still paid £50 for a ticket?

Thanks

 

[Islineclear3_1]

I have recently been issued with a fine from GWR of £193 for a journey from London Paddington to bath spa. On this journey I had a ticket which was meant for off-peak times, and travelled at a peak time unknowingly. Is this a fair appeal to at least have some of the fine taken off, considering I still paid £50 for a ticket?

Thanks

No, you travelled with an invalid ticket. Pay the penalty before it escalates.

Others will be along to advise further.

 

[jamiearmley]

What exact ticket did you hold?

 

[apuri101]

What exact ticket did you hold?

 

[Kath123]

Before your journey what efforts did you make to check what times are peak travel and what are off peak? Im no expert but my thoughts are you might be able to challenge it if you were given incorrect information and could prove it (which might be difficult).

 

[signed]

It's an Advance Single. It's not a matter of Off-Peak or On-Peak, you must travel on the same exact booked train.

You were fined because you weren't travelling on the correct train.

Pay, you have no recourse in this case

 

[apuri101]

Before your journey what efforts did you make to check what times are peak travel and what are off peak? Im no expert but my thoughts are you might be able to challenge it if you were given incorrect information and could prove it (which might be difficult).

I didn't really check properly I just assumed it would be okay. there is also no way to prove or disprove if I say to them a worker said my ticket was valid for that train

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Aug 2024 ==

It's an Advance Single.

It's not a matter of Off-Peak or On-Peak, you are supposed to take the exact booked train.

What you were fined for is, you weren't travelling on the correct train. Pay, you have no recourse in this case

usually they accept it on other trains?

 

[gnolife]

I didn't really check properly I just assumed it would be okay. there is also no way to prove or disprove if I say to them a worker said my ticket was valid for that train

When you booked the ticket, there will have been multiple prompts that you have to travel on the booked train only. If you've traveled on the wrong train, then the "fine" (to use your word for it) is entirely correct.

 

[signed]

usually they accept it on other trains?

They may give you discretion (in cases of disruptions...) and you must ask for permission to travel before boarding in this case, because you don't have a valid ticket.

Sorry, but you must stick to the booked train only if you have an advance ticket

 

[apuri101]

When you booked the ticket, there will have been multiple prompts that you have to travel on the booked train only. If you've traveled on the wrong train, then the "fine" (to use your word for it) is entirely correct.

is it not a fine?

 

[signed]

is it not a fine?

No, a fine is given by a police officer or a court. This is a penalty, because it's given by a private company.

If you don't pay, they can either take it onto civil court or prosecute you in criminal court (where, if found guilty, you would end up with a criminal record, and a sizable fine)

 

[apuri101]

No, a fine is given by a police officer or a court. This is a penalty, because it's given by a private company.

oh right okay, penalty fare then

 

[Islineclear3_1]

What train did you board at Paddington - at what time did it depart for Bath?

 

[Kite159]

You might want to take that attachment down as it's showing your address at the bottom

 

[apuri101]

You might want to take that attachment down as it's showing your address at the bottom

thanks

 

[150249]

How much was the time difference between this train and the one you were booked on?

 

[AlterEgo]

Could you upload the Penalty Fare in full, with your details redacted? There are sometimes technical defences available to you if the staff made it out incorrectly.

(This should actually be the first thing anyone replies with, btw, instead of scolding and not informing the poster they have rights in these circumstances)

 

[furlong]

As others have asked, what was the exact "off peak" ticket type and price? Did you use a railcard discount - if so, which one? What train did you actually catch (date & time)?

 

[signed]

As others have asked, what was the exact "off peak" ticket type and price? Did you use a railcard discount - if so, which one? What train did you actually catch (date & time)?

The attachment mentioned a Advance Single with a 16-25 railcard between PAD and Bath Spa

 

[WesternLancer]

If it was an Advance Single the T&Cs are very clear and stated here

GWR advance train tickets | Book early and save money | Great Western Railway

Book your train tickets early and save more than 50% on average with GWR Advance tickets. Book direct with us for the best deals and enjoy a smooth journey with GWR.

www.gwr.com

GWR even state under a list of 'pros and cons':

Non-flexible (you must travel on the route, time and date shown)

usually they accept it on other trains?

I'm surprised to read this if it regularly happens to you or happens on GWR - even when you get on a train there are usually announcements specifically saying that Advance tickets must be for that precise train, at least in my experience, though I am not a frequent GWR user.

 

[island]

Please upload a photo of the entirety of the "fine" you received, blocking any person identifiable information. The amount of £193 appears potentially wrong and may afford you a defence.

 

[WesternLancer]

Please upload a photo of the entirety of the "fine" you received, blocking any person identifiable information. The amount of £193 appears potentially wrong and may afford you a defence.

Paddington to Bath anytime single won’t be cheap

 

[ikcdab]

really check properly I just assumed it would be okay. there is also no way to prove or disprove if I say to them a worker said my ticket was valid for that train

If you are suggesting making up a story that you were told the ticket was valid, then it won't wash sorry.

 

[lyndhurst25]

Paddington to Bath anytime single won’t be cheap

£123.60 according to brfares.com