Hi,
Feel really furious this morning and the below only happened half an hour ago...
I wonder if anyone can advise on what to do or what's going to happen?
This morning, I boarded a train at Hattersley station. I arrived as I heard the train approaching so I ran for it, to the platform, and got straight on it. I passed the ticket office and saw the guy doing what he always does. (hes usually sat at a table, with his back to the window, on a mobile phone). I made the quick judgement that I wont have time to get his attention, buy a ticket, and make the train. I figured I'd buy it on the train.
On the train, nobody came through to sell tickets, like they usually do. Its usually the same woman, who is friendly and has chats. Then at Manchester Piccadilly, they gave me a FTP fixed penalty notice, instead of selling me a ticket. Tried to explain I wanted to buy one on the train but they wouldn't listen.
This is my second one. I also had one in December, three and a half months ago. Back then, again, it was the same story, and I thought I'd buy one on the train or at the station. I am not a ticket dodger. I know they always have the guards at Piccadilly. Most of the time, I buy my ticket at Hattersley. There have been a couple of occasions since that day in December where this happened and I've bought my ticket on the train without a problem.
I told the guard this was my second one and he said I may get an £80 fine. Can anyone advise... is this definately going to happen?! And if it does, do I have a leg to stand on?
Feel really angry at Northern rail, I only moved to the area last October and their service has been awful. Lots of cancellations and lateness. Just yesterday, I arrived 45mins late because of a cancelled train, it makes me angry that they don't have to pay me back for that! (it has to be at least an hour late for compensation).
What also makes me angry is that this is the 3rd time I'll have been fined. Years ago, in London, I lost my oyster card somewhere on the journey and got fined £20 and the destination station.
And, also years ago, I was fined £20 by Merseyrail, again for losing my ticket. It was the return leg. I expected my return ticket to be in my wallet and didnt check for it til I was asked for it.
I'm not trying to fare dodge on purpose, and those last two times, I did pay my fare, I just didnt have the proof! This whole thing feels unfair.
I've been told I can appeal this time if I get a fine, but I think I know from those previous two times that that won't get me anywhere, seeing as the "independent" appeals board are actually run by the train companies.
Sorry if I've gone off on a tangent... I'd like to ask, am I definately going to get an £80 fine? Could it be something worse that actually happens? How long will a fine take to arrive? And can I do anything about this?
Thanks for any help / advice.
Chris
Feel really furious this morning and the below only happened half an hour ago...
I wonder if anyone can advise on what to do or what's going to happen?
This morning, I boarded a train at Hattersley station. I arrived as I heard the train approaching so I ran for it, to the platform, and got straight on it. I passed the ticket office and saw the guy doing what he always does. (hes usually sat at a table, with his back to the window, on a mobile phone). I made the quick judgement that I wont have time to get his attention, buy a ticket, and make the train. I figured I'd buy it on the train.
On the train, nobody came through to sell tickets, like they usually do. Its usually the same woman, who is friendly and has chats. Then at Manchester Piccadilly, they gave me a FTP fixed penalty notice, instead of selling me a ticket. Tried to explain I wanted to buy one on the train but they wouldn't listen.
This is my second one. I also had one in December, three and a half months ago. Back then, again, it was the same story, and I thought I'd buy one on the train or at the station. I am not a ticket dodger. I know they always have the guards at Piccadilly. Most of the time, I buy my ticket at Hattersley. There have been a couple of occasions since that day in December where this happened and I've bought my ticket on the train without a problem.
I told the guard this was my second one and he said I may get an £80 fine. Can anyone advise... is this definately going to happen?! And if it does, do I have a leg to stand on?
Feel really angry at Northern rail, I only moved to the area last October and their service has been awful. Lots of cancellations and lateness. Just yesterday, I arrived 45mins late because of a cancelled train, it makes me angry that they don't have to pay me back for that! (it has to be at least an hour late for compensation).
What also makes me angry is that this is the 3rd time I'll have been fined. Years ago, in London, I lost my oyster card somewhere on the journey and got fined £20 and the destination station.
And, also years ago, I was fined £20 by Merseyrail, again for losing my ticket. It was the return leg. I expected my return ticket to be in my wallet and didnt check for it til I was asked for it.
I'm not trying to fare dodge on purpose, and those last two times, I did pay my fare, I just didnt have the proof! This whole thing feels unfair.
I've been told I can appeal this time if I get a fine, but I think I know from those previous two times that that won't get me anywhere, seeing as the "independent" appeals board are actually run by the train companies.
Sorry if I've gone off on a tangent... I'd like to ask, am I definately going to get an £80 fine? Could it be something worse that actually happens? How long will a fine take to arrive? And can I do anything about this?
Thanks for any help / advice.
Chris