My daughter travelled from Paddington to Reading on a GWR service. She bought a child’s ticket out of habit as she only turned 16 three days before. I appealed it because it was a genuine mistake but they declined my appeal. Is there anything I can do?
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GWR Penalty Fare Notice Appeal Help
- Thread starter Zoe J
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Gloster
Veteran Member
If she received any paperwork, either at the time or later, please post it in this thread. Please obscure her name, address and any other identifying details, such as reference numbers.
It doesn't help with this instance, but buy her a 16-17 Saver (details at https://www.16-17saver.co.uk/.) They're available as a physical card or for download to a mobile phone and will let her buy tickets with a 50% discount (so effectively Child rate.)
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I had appealed when I received this letter.
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WesternLancer
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The problem is that Appeals are not agreed on the basis of ‘that’s unreasonable penalty it’s not really fair’ they need to be based on an aspect of the way that the penalty fare was issued that is in breach of the relevant regulations.
16 year olds are required to have adult tickets (despite the uk having largely moved on from regarding 16 year olds as adults…) thus I suspect the Penalty Fare was the correct sanction for her error sadly.
Don’t miss the prompt payment discount tho others might suggest further arguments on which to try.
She has my sympathy.
Do here railcard mentioned however.
16 year olds are required to have adult tickets (despite the uk having largely moved on from regarding 16 year olds as adults…) thus I suspect the Penalty Fare was the correct sanction for her error sadly.
Don’t miss the prompt payment discount tho others might suggest further arguments on which to try.
She has my sympathy.
Do here railcard mentioned however.
WesternLancer
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Did you submit appeal via the specified independent appal service process (as opposed to eg writing to customer services which would not be classed as an appeal and is essentially thus a waste of effort).
It may be that urgent action is now required to prevent escalation/ threat of prosecution and the hassle that entails.
It may be that urgent action is now required to prevent escalation/ threat of prosecution and the hassle that entails.
They crossed for sure as the company who sent me the letter put the appeal on hold until a decision was made.
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I did. It’s looking like I’ll just have to pay it but thought it was worth getting some advice. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. She won’t be making the same mistake again!
WesternLancer
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Ok thanks. So presumably there is also an Appeal rejection letter you have received?
The notice is potentially not valid because it may not properly describes the grounds for its issue.
You say she bought a "child ticket" - this does not require any supporting documentation. Can you confirm she did actually buy a Child ticket and not, for example, a normal ticket discounted with a 16-17 Saver? Do you have this ticket?
Also, can any forum member try to find out where a fare element of £25.10 would come from on a London to Reading journey?
You say she bought a "child ticket" - this does not require any supporting documentation. Can you confirm she did actually buy a Child ticket and not, for example, a normal ticket discounted with a 16-17 Saver? Do you have this ticket?
Also, can any forum member try to find out where a fare element of £25.10 would come from on a London to Reading journey?
poffle
Member
25.10 was off peak adult day single 5/7 - 12/9 PAD-RDG. Since gone up in price.
Thanks. Good catch.
Was this the non-stop service Paddington to Reading or the stopping service? And at what point was the PF issued.
They are required to issue it to the next stop unless the passenger asks to the final destination. If it was the stopping service, then there is an argument that a higher amount was charged. If it was non-stop, then it appears to be validly issued.
They are required to issue it to the next stop unless the passenger asks to the final destination. If it was the stopping service, then there is an argument that a higher amount was charged. If it was non-stop, then it appears to be validly issued.
But the grounds reason is incorrect, if the OP's daughter really did have a child ticket.
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