I need help to challenge a fine I got for boarding the incorrect train.

[Anthony024]

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I started my trip at Walthamstow planning to go to Finsbury Park. I checked Google, which told me to go to platform 7 to catch a train heading to Cambridge. I didn't know that there are two trains that go to Cambridge; you can use an Oyster card on one, but not on the other., I got on the wrong train and had to get off at the next stop, which turned out to be Stevenage. I told the ticket inspector what happened, but they still gave me a penalty notice. I think this isn't fair, since I didn't know what was going on.

 

[AlterEgo]

Do you have any specific grounds on which you think your appeal should be considered beyond “it isn’t fair”? This isn’t grounds to appeal, but if you tell us in what specific way you feel it is unfair we may be able to help. Please also upload a copy of the notice, because while it seems on the face of it that your penalty fare was correctly and legitimately issued, there may be technical grounds for appeal based on the notice you received and how it was filled out. Please obscure your details from the notice.

 

[Anthony024]

I needed to send the original notice with my first appeal so this only letter I have. At Finsbury Park station, on platform 7, you'll find two trains heading to Cambridge—one lets you use an Oyster card, while the other doesn't. To be frank, I think they should have given me a one-way ticket instead of slapping me with a penalty notice.

 

[alholmes]

Your first post makes no sense. You state you were travelling from Walthamstow to Finsbury Park - which is a simple journey on the Victoria line.

So why were you on platform 7 at Finsbury Park, getting on trains towards Cambridge? What was your ultimate destination?

 

[Anthony024]

Your first post makes no sense. You state you were travelling from Walthamstow to Finsbury Park - which is a simple journey on the Victoria line.

So why were you on platform 7 at Finsbury Park, getting on trains towards Cambridge? What was your ultimate destination?

Potters bar is my final destination.

 

[jfollows]

Potters bar is my final destination.

So you were intending to travel to Potters Bar using the slow train to Cambridge, using Oyster, but you mistakenly boarded the faster service to Cambridge, first stop Stevenage, which is outside the Oyster zone, and were given a Penalty Fare.
Whilst discretion could have been shown, and I have known it to be done for much greater distances for catching the wrong train, it’s not required and I suspect that since you were technically guilty of travelling on a train without a valid ticket it’s going to be least worst to pay the reduced £50 penalty fare and be done with it.

 

[Anthony024]

So you were intending to travel to Potters Bar using the slow train to Cambridge, using Oyster, but you mistakenly boarded the faster service to Cambridge, first stop Stevenage, which is outside the Oyster zone, and were given a Penalty Fare.
Whilst discretion could have been shown, and I have known it to be done for much greater distances for catching the wrong train, it’s not required and I suspect that since you were technically guilty of travelling on a train without a valid ticket it’s going to be least worst to pay the reduced £50 penalty fare and be done with it.

So, there no grounds of appeal?

 

[AlterEgo]

so this only letter I have. At Finsbury Park station, on platform 7, you'll find two trains heading to Cambridge—one lets you use an Oyster card, while the other doesn't. To be frank, I think they should have given me a one-way ticket instead of slapping me with a penalty notice.

I know it is not what you want to hear, but "that's well harsh" isn't grounds for appeal. The law specifically authorises companies to charge Penalty Fares where you are caught without a valid ticket. There are protections in place about when and how penalty fares can be charged, which often work in the passenger's favour - around minutiae surrounding the exact fare charged, the quality of wording on the notice, and various other factors, but as you suggest your appeal appears not to state any of the qualifying grounds it is not surprising it has been rebutted.

 

[Anthony024]

I know it is not what you want to hear, but "that's well harsh" isn't grounds for appeal. The law specifically authorises companies to charge Penalty Fares where you are caught without a valid ticket. There are protections in place about when and how penalty fares can be charged, which often work in the passenger's favour - around minutiae surrounding the exact fare charged, the quality of wording on the notice, and various other factors, but as you suggest your appeal appears not to state any of the qualifying grounds it is not surprising it has been rebutted.

What would be your suggestion in moving forward?

 

[AlterEgo]

What would be your suggestion in moving forward?

Well, normally we would ask to see the notice, but you say you sent this off with your first appeal (you didn't need to do this - appeals can be done online, or even by post they only need the reference number). If you have no grounds of appeal the notice should be paid promptly to secure the 50% discount.

 

[Anthony024]

Well, normally we would ask to see the notice, but you say you sent this off with your first appeal (you didn't need to do this - appeals can be done online, or even by post they only need the reference number). If you have no grounds of appeal the notice should be paid promptly to secure the 50% discount.

I was unable to make an appeal online. That the reason I done it by post.

 

[John R]

So your mistake was relying on the final destination of a train, rather than checking that it stopped at the station you were going to.

I think it unlikely that an appeal will succeed, and you are best chalking this one up to experience.