cjames_c@hotma
Member
Hi all
Apologies if this sounds convoluted. I'm actually sick of this situation and story....
Long story... long... I got the train from Northfield, Birmingham, to Longbridge Birmingham (for those who don't know, this is ONE STOP). On exiting the train I emptied my pockets of rubbish and the ticket into the little bin by the door and went to leave the station. On exiting i was stopped by a ticket inspector who has never been there in my experience. I was issued a £20 fine + the £2.50 cost of the ticket for obviously not having a ticket. He was a pretty reasonable guy and I explained what had happened he said if i appealed chances are I would have the fine dropped. I knew it was 50/50 so I called the number on the penalty fare ticket the next day where the adviser said they would send me a letter, she took my name and address and phone number. I completely forgot about the situation and heard nothing from anyone.
6 MONTHS LATER
I received a magistrates letter explaining that they had sent 2 letters and were charging me £150 fine, £100 if i pleaded guilty through the post. Having being given a few days to give a response (as the letter received was dated 2 weeks prior) I knew that any appeals process wouldn't be resolved by the date. VERY begrudgingly I just pleaded guilty and thought I'd chalk it up to experience and get it out the way. I have since spoken to the magistrates who has pushed the hearing date to September.
Weeks later, I received another letter from the magistrates charging, not only the full amount of £150, but also an additional £180 in fees. (£330 in total, for a £2.50 ticket!!!)
I thought this was a joke so I contacted the magistrates and the rail ombudsman and my complaint was eventually pushed on to Transport Focus (watchdog). They phoned having reviewed the case and said do I still have the receipt? Obviously not.
Now they've basically said there's nothing they can do as it's a legal matter. A legal matter that Network West Midlands caused (Or whoever deals with their fines as there seems to be no clear answer and a lot of people unwilling to point me in the right direction).
I had originally put the lack of communication down to the current global crisis, however the transport watchdog said that letters would have been sent prior to lockdown. Basically admitting that there was no excuse for their lack of communication.
Now I'm looking at a £330 fine and court summons despite having no confirmation or demand for payment from ANYONE.
I imagine there was some sort of mess up at the first instance, whether my initial appeal was lost or something, who knows. But this is ridiculous, for a £2.50 ticket. I imagine (and I totally understand) that the appeal would not have gone in my favour and I would have had to pay the £20. Not an issue, chalk it up to experience. But to claim that they have sent letters when they haven't and take my to court is insane and incredibly unfair.
Has anyone got any idea what I can do?
Apologies if this sounds convoluted. I'm actually sick of this situation and story....
Long story... long... I got the train from Northfield, Birmingham, to Longbridge Birmingham (for those who don't know, this is ONE STOP). On exiting the train I emptied my pockets of rubbish and the ticket into the little bin by the door and went to leave the station. On exiting i was stopped by a ticket inspector who has never been there in my experience. I was issued a £20 fine + the £2.50 cost of the ticket for obviously not having a ticket. He was a pretty reasonable guy and I explained what had happened he said if i appealed chances are I would have the fine dropped. I knew it was 50/50 so I called the number on the penalty fare ticket the next day where the adviser said they would send me a letter, she took my name and address and phone number. I completely forgot about the situation and heard nothing from anyone.
6 MONTHS LATER
I received a magistrates letter explaining that they had sent 2 letters and were charging me £150 fine, £100 if i pleaded guilty through the post. Having being given a few days to give a response (as the letter received was dated 2 weeks prior) I knew that any appeals process wouldn't be resolved by the date. VERY begrudgingly I just pleaded guilty and thought I'd chalk it up to experience and get it out the way. I have since spoken to the magistrates who has pushed the hearing date to September.
Weeks later, I received another letter from the magistrates charging, not only the full amount of £150, but also an additional £180 in fees. (£330 in total, for a £2.50 ticket!!!)
I thought this was a joke so I contacted the magistrates and the rail ombudsman and my complaint was eventually pushed on to Transport Focus (watchdog). They phoned having reviewed the case and said do I still have the receipt? Obviously not.
Now they've basically said there's nothing they can do as it's a legal matter. A legal matter that Network West Midlands caused (Or whoever deals with their fines as there seems to be no clear answer and a lot of people unwilling to point me in the right direction).
I had originally put the lack of communication down to the current global crisis, however the transport watchdog said that letters would have been sent prior to lockdown. Basically admitting that there was no excuse for their lack of communication.
Now I'm looking at a £330 fine and court summons despite having no confirmation or demand for payment from ANYONE.
I imagine there was some sort of mess up at the first instance, whether my initial appeal was lost or something, who knows. But this is ridiculous, for a £2.50 ticket. I imagine (and I totally understand) that the appeal would not have gone in my favour and I would have had to pay the £20. Not an issue, chalk it up to experience. But to claim that they have sent letters when they haven't and take my to court is insane and incredibly unfair.
Has anyone got any idea what I can do?