Prosecuted for Rail Card Mistake

[LWI]

Any advice / likely outcomes would be very much appreciated .

I was travelling from Guildford to London Waterloo. However, accidentally bought my ticket using a disabled person's Railcard instead of my 16 - 25 one. (This is probably because a few days prior I was looking at ticket prices for my Grandma who has a disabled person's card so it was saved on my Trainline account). I had a valid ticket and showed the revenue protection staff member my valid 16 - 25 Railcard both of which he took photos of to document. He then sent this along with my details off so SWR can contact me.

I was just wondering what the likely outcomes may be (I am completely unfamiliar with this situation) and any action I should take.

Many thanks

 

[John R]

This is an interesting one as, unless you were travelling when the 16-25 minimum fare is applicable, there was presumably no loss to the railway. I think you just have to wait until you are contacted, make your case, and hope that they let you off. At worst you are likely to have to pay for a new ticket along with an administrative settlement fee.

When you get a letter, do come back and we will be happy to review your draft response.

 

[LWI]

This is an interesting one as, unless you were travelling when the 16-25 minimum fare is applicable, there was presumably no loss to the railway. I think you just have to wait until you are contacted, make your case, and hope that they let you off. At worst you are likely to have to pay for a new ticket along with an administrative settlement fee.

When you get a letter, do come back and we will be happy to review your draft response.

Thanks for your reply!

I'm not sure when the 16-25 minimum fare is? I was travelling on a Saturday afternoon around 18:00.

Okay, that doesn't sound too bad - I guess I had scared myself reading some of the other stories on here! Thanks, may come back and ask for help when I'm contacted.

 

[John R]

Thanks for your reply!

I'm not sure when the 16-25 minimum fare is? I was travelling on a Saturday afternoon around 18:00.

Okay, that doesn't sound too bad - I guess I had scared myself reading some of the other stories on here! Thanks, may come back and ask for help when I'm contacted.

Minimum fare (£12) is before 10am on Monday to Friday, so doesn't apply in this instance. So you paid the correct fare - just with the wrong railcard chosen.

 

[LWI]

Minimum fare (£12) is before 10am on Monday to Friday, so doesn't apply in this instance. So you paid the correct fare - just with the wrong railcard chosen.

Thanks! Hopefully having paid the correct fare will work in my favour.

 

[AlterEgo]

Hopefully once you show them your correct railcard by reply they cancel all action. The company has suffered no loss. Just to be clear - you haven’t accidentally used a disabled railcard before? This has no minimum fare requirement.

 

[LWI]

Hopefully once you show them your correct railcard by reply they cancel all action. The company has suffered no loss. Just to be clear - you haven’t accidentally used a disabled railcard before? This has no minimum fare requirement.

Thanks, they have a photo of my correct card that was taken by the officer. And yes this was a one-off mistake.

 

[Haywain]

I was just wondering what the likely outcomes may be (I am completely unfamiliar with this situation) and any action I should take.

All you can do is wait and see if you receive a letter. It's possible that nothing at all will happen but if it does, come back and post the letter here and we can give suitable advice.