Penalty Fare Procedural Error

[Emi282]

Hi All,

I've recently been issued a penalty fare. I'm not here to dispute the cause: it was a Monday morning, I was not doing my usual journey and made an error in my ticket. Human error, it happens. I apologised to the inspector for my mistake and accept it was my own fault.
However, I've heard that penalty fares are often successfully appealed because of procedural errors. Sometimes, at the second appeal. So, I was wondering whether I could try appealing anyway, to ask for the penalty fare to be reviewed. I don't want to make the situation worse for myself, but since I have the right to appeal, I thought I may as well check that the penalty fare is even valid in the first place. Human error, it happens!
Would like to hear your thoughts on this.

Thanks,
E

 

[SuspectUsual]

If you tell us the details and post a redacted image of your penalty fare receipt people will be able to advise you

 

[Watershed]

As you say, many Penalty Fares are issued either in ways or in circumstances that leave them open to appeal. There is nothing to lose by checking if that may be the case for you.

 

[Emi282]

Thanks both for the reply. Hope you can see the image okay. It's just over half of the full notice. I took the overground to Finsbury Park and then went to the train platform. There are no barriers and I just forgot to get the ticket before boarding. I wasn't trying to evade a fare; I would have had to buy a return anyway as I was going back to Finsbury later that day. Returns and singles are the same cost for this journey. So I accept it was my error - I should have been more awake and on it. Just one of those things that happens. Especially when there are connected platforms, I also forget to tap out on my oyster card...

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Question... Where's the next stop after Potters Bar on a Northbound train at or around 0834 on a Monday morning? Won't be Welwyn Garden City, will it?

 

[Emi282]

Question... Where's the next stop after Potters Bar on a Northbound train at or around 0834 on a Monday morning? Won't be Welwyn Garden City, will it?

correct, it goes to Potters Bar, then to Hatfield first, and then WGC.

 

[SECR 65]

Appologies if this isn't relevant, but why is the address given for Southeastern in Ashford? Am I correct that Potters Bar is north of London on the TL/GN network?

 

[MrJeeves]

Appologies if this isn't relevant, but why is the address given for Southeastern in Ashford?

They handle some of the logistics for GTR penalty fares, as historically they were both Go-Ahead (and now they're both GBR!).

 

[30907]

If the PF was issued before the Hatfield stop, you should have been offered the choice of alighting there (£13.30).

 

[tatitiliti]

correct, it goes to Potters Bar, then to Hatfield first, and then WGC.

Sorry if I’ve missed this but was Welwyn Garden City the final destination of your intended journey, and were you asked to specify your final destination by the member of staff?