Penalty Fare Problem

[Tom R]

Hi there,

I was issued a Penalty Fare on Friday 26th April on a Wokingham to Sandhurst train at 1213.

I paid this on Monday 6th May, well within the 3 week timescale, at Reading Station and I was given a receipt to prove this.


This morning, through the post, I received a letter telling me that the money had not been paid, and the amount had now increased to £40 as an admin fee had been applied.

What do I need to do to get this situation sorted out? Hopefully you can help me!


Many thanks
Tom

 

[Zoidberg]

If it were me, I'd write to whoever sent the £40 letter and tell them the penalty was been paid within the original deadline and enclose a copy of the receipt.

 

[sonic2009]

Who is the letter from?

 

[Tom R]

The letter is from Revenue Protection Support Services, and it is about a First Great Western Train.

 

[CyrusWuff]

I was issued a Penalty Fare on Friday 26th April on a Wokingham to Sandhurst train at 1213.

I paid this on Monday 6th May, well within the 3 week timescale, at Reading Station and I was given a receipt to prove this.

As far as I'm aware, stations no longer generally accept payment for Penalty Fares Notices and Unpaid Fares Notices to prevent the scenario you've encountered.

If they do, they need to inform the relevant Admin Office and do some accountancy voodoo to stop them from chasing it up as unpaid, which seems to have broken down in this case.

Did you keep a copy of the PFN or just the receipt that you got at the station?

 

[Tom R]

When I was issued the Penalty Fare, I asked how I was able to pay and be gave me a number of options, one being paying at Reading Station. I asked if it could be Wokingham (easier for me) but he told me that only Reading has the facilities to accept penalty fare payments.

I didn't keep a copy of the original Penalty Fare ticket, but I did take note of the code/reference number. The ticket was taken from me when I paid, and replaced with a receipt.

 

[Stigy]

When I was issued the Penalty Fare, I asked how I was able to pay and be gave me a number of options, one being paying at Reading Station. I asked if it could be Wokingham (easier for me) but he told me that only Reading has the facilities to accept penalty fare payments.

I didn't keep a copy of the original Penalty Fare ticket, but I did take note of the code/reference number. The ticket was taken from me when I paid, and replaced with a receipt.

Wokingham is a South West Trains station which is why they're not able to accept payment. They wouldn't be able to for their own issued Penalty Fares either as it's not allowed. I'm assuming then that First Great Western are different, and you were allowed to pay at Reading because they run that station.