I bought a ticket on trainline and used rail card (train going to Edinburgh from Manchester ) my ticket was checked while in the train and was asked to produce a rail card . I showed the conductor . Then he said I’m not supposed to use the rail card for the journey , said it only works for London trip or south east which I didn’t know . I explained to him I didn’t know and he said it’s my responsibility to know where to use it . I just go on trainline and buy the tickets , my railcard is already on it . I didn’t know I was supposed to deactivate . He then said I will have to pay about £150. I told him I’m a student and don’t have up to that with me and it’s just an honest mistake that is there any way I can get it reduced . I didn’t know , it’s my first time hearing that as I’ve been using it before . He then asked I show him my history which I did , then he start snapping my tail card and said he’s going to forward the case to his office . I recover a letter today from transpennine express saying I should respond by making comment about the incident . Please what should I do and am I in trouble ?
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I'm assuming you have a Network Railcard? Is this the type of Railcard that you have added on the Trainline app or have you picked something else such as a 16-25 Railcard?
The Trainline app shouldn't sell a ticket with a Network Railcard discount where the discount does not apply, so if it did so you might be able to use that to aid your response. If you selected the incorrect Railcard you will have to accept full responsibility though.
The Trainline app shouldn't sell a ticket with a Network Railcard discount where the discount does not apply, so if it did so you might be able to use that to aid your response. If you selected the incorrect Railcard you will have to accept full responsibility though.
Yes a I have network railcard
I have the network rail card added to my trainline . At first he said I’m on senior rail card , said I’m not up to 60. I explained I don’t know what that means as I just went online to register and didn’t lie about my age , during regusteration I was asked my age range which I picked 31-59 . Then later he said I’m not supposed to use the card for the journey , I explained I don’t really know how it works as I thought if it should be , it shouldn’t have allowed me buy it . He then said I’m responsible to the bookings . I have to check where I want to use it and if not London I shouldn’t .
Yes I have a Network railcard
I have the network rail card added to my trainline . At first he said I’m on senior rail card , said I’m not up to 60. I explained I don’t know what that means as I just went online to register and didn’t lie about my age , during regusteration I was asked my age range which I picked 31-59 . Then later he said I’m not supposed to use the card for the journey , I explained I don’t really know how it works as I thought if it should be , it shouldn’t have allowed me buy it . He then said I’m responsible to the bookings . I have to check where I want to use it and if not London I shouldn’t .
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Omg I’m just understanding this now . I didn’t know I can change it . Some how it has been on senior rail card itself all the while . I didn’t know I can change it . Omg . What am I gonna do now
Although Trainline's app is somewhat unhelpful in "saving" the last Railcard you entered (without asking you to confirm this when you do another search), you must have selected a Senior Railcard at some point.
Why did you do this, if you don't hold a Senior Railcard and aren't old enough to be eligible for one?
Even if true, they are unlikely to believe you if you say that you were unaware you could change the entered Railcard or that you were unaware you didn't hold a "Senior" Railcard.
The Trainline app doesn't just randomly pick a Railcard, you must have chosen it at some point. TPE are going to find it hard to believe that you didn't know it was applied and you could change it (especially as it will say "Senior Railcard" above the search button).
You will probably be able to sort this without going to court, but TPE will expect payment for every ticket purchased using the incorrect Railcard plus an admin fee of around £150. Have a look back in your booking history to see how many tickets you have bought and you'll be able to estimate how much they'll be looking for.
For some reasons I just thought all I have to do is go online search and make payment . Until today I’m just realizing I’ve been doing it wrong . I just assume the senior rail card is what I have . I didn’t know there are other options there or a network railcard is a thing . I just assume it automatically fills the rail card I paid for . ♂️ I wish I could just go back in time . What am I gonna do next or how do I go about this that it doesn’t resort to court or criminal offense please
Brissle Girl
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You’re going to struggle to get them to believe that you didn’t know what you were doing given you say you have a Network Railcard, and nowhere in it does it say “Senior”.
As @skyhigh says, you should be able to sort this out without a prosecution, but you need to cooperate with them when you get a letter, and ensure you have funds available to pay the out of court settlement that hopefullly you be offered.
Look at every journey on your booking history, and if you booked it with a senior discount then use the Anytime Single fare to add up the amount you are likely be asked to pay. Don’t offset the fare you paid, and for a return journey it will likely be 2x Anytime Single.
Then add around £150 for their admin costs, and that’s about the amount you might be asked for.
Bertie the bus
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The people who work in the prosecution departments aren’t stupid and neither are many people on this forum so you need to cut out all this nonsense.
You purchased a Network Railcard despite not knowing it is a thing and then thought it was a Senior Railcard? Do you really expect anybody to believe that?
Take some responsibility for your actions and you might be able to prevent a prosecution but if you have done this on several journeys it won’t be cheap.
Fermiboson
Member
Honesty is paramount in getting the TOC to offer you an out of court settlement which will be undoubtedly cheaper.
Note that, since you have selected a senior railcard but only have a network railcard (however this may have come about), every single journey you have made, including those in the southeast and within NR validity conditions, is invalid and the TOC will want the money from those back, as undiscounted Anytime Singles without regard for fares already paid, plus a relatively hefty admin fee - expect minimum £150. This will get very expensive, but much less expensive than if you let it go to court, both in terms of immediate financial pain and future career prospects.
Get a list of all journeys you have made and calculate the likely cost of the settlement - and get that amount together, quick, through whatever legal means available. This will be the cheapest and best course of action for you.
The explanation you have given is unlikely to do you any favours - if it is the truth, and especially if it is not, you’re better off just apologising, promising never to do it again and asking to be given an opportunity to settle things out of court. You may want to post a draft here for forum members to review. It is important that you respond to them relatively promptly, so that they don’t proceed to prosecute you.
Note that, since you have selected a senior railcard but only have a network railcard (however this may have come about), every single journey you have made, including those in the southeast and within NR validity conditions, is invalid and the TOC will want the money from those back, as undiscounted Anytime Singles without regard for fares already paid, plus a relatively hefty admin fee - expect minimum £150. This will get very expensive, but much less expensive than if you let it go to court, both in terms of immediate financial pain and future career prospects.
Get a list of all journeys you have made and calculate the likely cost of the settlement - and get that amount together, quick, through whatever legal means available. This will be the cheapest and best course of action for you.
The explanation you have given is unlikely to do you any favours - if it is the truth, and especially if it is not, you’re better off just apologising, promising never to do it again and asking to be given an opportunity to settle things out of court. You may want to post a draft here for forum members to review. It is important that you respond to them relatively promptly, so that they don’t proceed to prosecute you.
Presume the OP means taking a photo rather than breaking.
worried12345
Member
If they do offer you an out of court settlement, I have recently had a settlement for a similar journey with TPE which might be helpful for you. I was charged about £70 for each leg Edinburgh to Manchester plus a £150 admin fee.
Welcome to the forum!
I suggest writing a short reply to Transpennine mentioning the following points:
- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the train company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter
Transpennine are usually prepared to offer an out of court settlement to people who co-operate with their investigation and who haven't come to their attention before. Expect to have to pay around £150 plus the outstanding fare at the Anytime rate, with no credit given for the ticket you did ourchase. Transpennine will also likely research your Trainline ticket purchase history and if this shows you've purchased other tickets with a Senior Railcard discount then you can expect to have to pay for those tickets as well as part of the settlement cost. We cannot guarantee that they will offer you an out of court settlement, Transpennine are within their rights to prosecute you in the Magistrates Court should they wish to do so.
If you are offered a settlement the amount varies depending on the train company and circumstances but tend to be a few hundred pounds plus the outstanding fare. An out of court settlement might appear to be a fine, but it isn't and you won't have a criminal record as a result of accepting one.
Feel free to post your draft reply in this thread and forum members will be happy to proof read it for you.
I'm afraid I don't find your explanation convincing. At some point you will have selected a Senior Railcard discount in your Trainline app, despite not ever being eligible for one.
I suggest writing a short reply to Transpennine mentioning the following points:
- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the train company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter
Transpennine are usually prepared to offer an out of court settlement to people who co-operate with their investigation and who haven't come to their attention before. Expect to have to pay around £150 plus the outstanding fare at the Anytime rate, with no credit given for the ticket you did ourchase. Transpennine will also likely research your Trainline ticket purchase history and if this shows you've purchased other tickets with a Senior Railcard discount then you can expect to have to pay for those tickets as well as part of the settlement cost. We cannot guarantee that they will offer you an out of court settlement, Transpennine are within their rights to prosecute you in the Magistrates Court should they wish to do so.
If you are offered a settlement the amount varies depending on the train company and circumstances but tend to be a few hundred pounds plus the outstanding fare. An out of court settlement might appear to be a fine, but it isn't and you won't have a criminal record as a result of accepting one.
Feel free to post your draft reply in this thread and forum members will be happy to proof read it for you.