Train Fine

[UniLad]

Ok I did a silly thing yesterday, I booked my train and applied the 16-25 young persons discount. As I was on the train I showed my ticket to the inspector and he asked to see my railcard so I pulled out my railcard and gave it to him, which is when he said this railcard was out of date. I was then charged £40 for a whole new ticket which understandably put me in a very bad mood.

I've looked at my account today and the transaction hasn't been recorded (yet). I was wondering how long it takes to process the charge or if actually I'm lucky and it didn't go through?

 

[ian959]

Depends upon what card you paid with but it could take up to 3 days or more to be deducted from your account depending upon the company's settlement arrangements and those of your bank.

 

[Stigy]

Ok I did a silly thing yesterday, I booked my train and applied the 16-25 young persons discount. As I was on the train I showed my ticket to the inspector and he asked to see my railcard so I pulled out my railcard and gave it to him, which is when he said this railcard was out of date. I was then charged £40 for a whole new ticket which understandably put me in a very bad mood.

I've looked at my account today and the transaction hasn't been recorded (yet). I was wondering how long it takes to process the charge or if actually I'm lucky and it didn't go through?

I get the feeling you feel aggrieved? You do realise that this actually worked in your favour, as you have been given a chance. You could have been reported for the offence as you didn't have a valid ticket (you need to be able to show an in-date 16-25 Railcard, and you showing an out of date one could be seen as trying to avoid paying the correct fare...)

 

[island]

It will probably show up within a few days.

Note that you have not been fined, as only a court can issue a fine for railway offences.

 

[bb21]

Don't count on it. It will probably show up on Tuesday or something like that.

I sense from your tone that you knowingly bought a Railcard-discounted ticket despite the Railcard having already expired. What I will say is if that is the case then consider yourself very lucky this time that you got away with just paying the correct fare you should have paid in the first place. The correct course of action by the guard in this case is to report you for a Section 5.3(a) prosecution. The consequences upon conviction would be a large fine (an actual fine) and a criminal record. Many people think that they wouldn't get caught, and end up regretting their actions. Wise up and don't be such a fool like those people.

 

[CC 72100]

. I was then charged £40 for a whole new ticket which understandably put me in a very bad mood.

Yeah, getting in a bad mood I guess is what happens when people don't get away with it like they thought they could have.

As has been said, you got lucky this time (even if you don't feel like you have!) as it could have been a lot worse. On a sidenote, the sooner people wise up to the dangers of using a discounted ticket without the discount, and are challenged for doing so, then it will be a better day for all of us who legitimately pay for this discount we are entitled to.

 

[CockneySparrow]

It will probably show up within a few days.

Note that you have not been fined, as only a court can issue a fine for railway offences.

Hand held machines that guards use dont deduct the money straight away from your cleared balance, it will be the following day or the day after

If I dont have enough money in my account I try to buy my ticket from one of the guards on the platform or gate rather than use the desk or the machines, it gives me a few more days to put the money back in the account before I get a bank charge

 

[maniacmartin]

If I dont have enough money in my account I try to buy my ticket from one of the guards on the platform or gate rather than use the desk or the machines, it gives me a few more days to put the money back in the account before I get a bank charge

Not the best way to run your finances!

 

[CockneySparrow]

Not the best way to run your finances!

No, but needs must lol, doing it that way I can spend my last tenner twice