A few helpful factors for OP which haven't been raised yet, but might differ from other cases for adults seen on the forum and might help:
- TfL's policy (
https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/revenue-enforcement-and-prosecutions-policy.pdf) is that those under the age of 18 will not normally be prosecuted unless an offense is of a serious nature, which from what you've described doesn't sound like it's the case.
- Another TfL policy (
https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/penalty-fares-appeals-policy.pdf) means that since you've submitted an appeal for the penalty fare, the 21 day clock for the discounted rate has stopped. A new clock will start it the first-stage appeal you submitted is rejected.
For the future, Oyster isn't valid for use between West Drayton and Reading on the Elizabeth line - if you're travelling that far in the future, you'll either need to use a Contactless payment card (which would be a full adult fare I believe), or purchase a traditional rail ticket. If planning to make this journey frequently, purchasing a 16-17 Saver or 16-25 Railcard might be worth it for the discount!
You should also note that not paying this penalty fare (if the appeal you made is unsuccessful) would be a breach of TfL's Young Person's Behavioural Code (found at
https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/rules-of-travel-for-under-18s), and hence could result in your future entitlement to a 16+ Zip Card being withdrawn. Losing that discount is likely to add up to a lot more than the penalty fare amount in the long run!
I would personally wait until you receive a response to the appeal you submitted. If the appeal is accepted, the issue should be resolved - if not, it may be worth considering either raising a second-stage appeal or paying the penalty based on the advice of others here.
