South Western Rail Dispute - Advice needed

[firsttimerail1]

I was travelling into London from Fleet and on the same day, asked to buy a ticket for the following day from Fleet to Farnborough. Assumed the ticket guy had given me the tickets correctly - as it’s my first time travelling this way. I now realise this was a silly thing to do.

I used the Fleet to Farnborough ticket and the barrier wouldn’t work so the ticket guy looked at my ticket and waved me through. However, when I got to Farnborough the harrier didn’t work and ticket guy stopped me, checked my ticket and it was for the day before. He issued me with a fine for not travelling with a valid ticket but said to dispute it because the guy at Fleet should’ve checked and then I would have had opportunity to buy another ticket.

I’ve since disputed the fine and the response from Penalty Services is that train staff are trained not to give such incorrect advice or permission. But this is what has happened. I can’t believe that they can use this as a reason, it just seems crazy. I’m guessing they’re trained to issue tickets for the correct dates too but didn’t do this either.

I’m just wondering if anyone can give me some advice on how to deal with this please as at the moment it feels like it’s my word against theirs but this is what’s happened.

Thanks

 

[30907]

I was travelling into London from Fleet and on the same day, asked to buy a ticket for the following day from Fleet to Farnborough. Assumed the ticket guy had given me the tickets correctly - as it’s my first time travelling this way. I now realise this was a silly thing to do.

I used the Fleet to Farnborough ticket and the barrier wouldn’t work so the ticket guy looked at my ticket and waved me through. However, when I got to Farnborough the harrier didn’t work and ticket guy stopped me, checked my ticket and it was for the day before. He issued me with a fine for not travelling with a valid ticket but said to dispute it because the guy at Fleet should’ve checked and then I would have had opportunity to buy another ticket.

I’ve since disputed the fine and the response from Penalty Services is that train staff are trained not to give such incorrect advice or permission. But this is what has happened. I can’t believe that they can use this as a reason, it just seems crazy. I’m guessing they’re trained to issue tickets for the correct dates too but didn’t do this either.

I’m just wondering if anyone can give me some advice on how to deal with this please as at the moment it feels like it’s my word against theirs but this is what’s happened.

Thanks

I assume you bought the tickets at Fleet Station ticket office?

Unfortunately, using a ticket dated the previous day looks like a deliberate attempt to evade your fare, hence the Penalty Fare (which is the least penalty available).

Your best argument would be to provide evidence of the London ticket you bought in the same transaction (I imagine you still have the card receipt if not the ticket).
It's not conclusive proof (you could have bought one of them for another person) but it might get your appeal read by someone more senior.

The worst case, though, is that you are out of pocket by £50 plus £4.90.

 

[Pompey00]

@Hadders is best person to help

 

[Hadders]

This is an unfortunate situation but ultimately it's the passenger's responsibility to check they have the correct ticket for their journey.

I think the best thing to do is to pay what I assume is a Penalty Fare to prevent the matter from escalating then complain to SWR customer services asking if they will consider giving you an ex-gratia payment.