Unsigned SWT Penalty Fare Notice

[choochew]

The Authorised Collector failed to get me to sign the form, including both copies he retained. Is this lack of my signature grounds to not pay the fine?

 

[yorkie]

No, it's not grounds to not pay the Penalty Fare.

Also, did you make the minimum payment for the actual fare due, or is that unpaid too?

 

[choochew]

I made no payment whatsoever. I offered to pay by card on the spot but the machine was not working.

 

[bb21]

Think about it. If that was sufficient ground not to pay it then no one will sign them.

Further than that, it is impossible to comment without any more detail of the specific case.

 

[Mojo]

Think about it. If that was sufficient ground not to pay it then no one will sign them.

Plus, of course, you are under no legal obligation to sign it.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

The fare is due simply by virtue of you having travelled. That applies equally to the Penalty Fare as it does to the basic fare.

 

[reb0118]

I offered to pay by card on the spot but the machine was not working.

Did the machine fail to process your card only or did it fail to process all cards? I am assuming that we are talking about the on train machine carried by guards or other revenue staff?

Thinking about your journey did you have an opportunity to purchase a ticket prior to boarding your train or was the station unstaffed with no operating ticket machine?

You will, no doubt, be aware of your responsibility to hold a valid ticket prior to boarding a train, where facilities exist (and are in working order).

With regard to your card - contact your bank to see if you have "off line availability" on your account (if you have the contactless payment logo on your card it will probably be "off line"). If you don't, ask your bank to upgrade your account if possible - if not then make sure you have enough cash on your person if you want to purchase tickets on board a train as this will save you getting any further grief like wot you have just experienced. Cards without off line authorisation are generally not accepted on board trains.

N.B. If you have not paid the basic fare then matters can escalate even up to being summoned to attend court if this remains unpaid - you can nip this in the bud by paying the demand as and when it comes. You may have the right to appeal depending on the circumstances of your case.

 

[PermitToTravel]

You may have the right to appeal depending on the circumstances of your case.

Anyone issued a Penalty Fare by South West Trains may appeal at https://www.ircas.co.uk/ (although I would guess that had the OP grounds for such an appeal, they would have enquired about those rather than about the import of their signature)