Lost Ticket?

[Tibbs]

You can consider the point completely missed.

Could you explain your point differently then, please?

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Could you explain your point differently then, please?

Some people on the forum seem to believe that a person can choose not to buy a ticket, when it is possible for them to buy one (at this point you should note the requirement to do so), and expect to be offered the cheapest ticket when they are caught out....Sorry I mean, at the 'first opportunity'......

 

[Squaddie]

My plan was if the machine does not take cash I will take a pic, board train.

I still don't understand why, if the machine is not accepting cash, you will not use the card that you are carrying. It may not be your preferred method of payment, but it is an accepted method that is available to you. You are effectively making a deliberate choice not to buy a ticket before travel, and even though you say you intend to buy one on the train from Milton Keynes you are exposing yourself to possible trouble for no good reason. You seem to know that you would be in the wrong, as you have implied that you will tell a lie (i.e. claim that you were not carrying a card) if caught.

 

[suley]

I still don't understand why, if the machine is not accepting cash, you will not use the card that you are carrying. It may not be your preferred method of payment, but it is an accepted method that is available to you. You are effectively making a deliberate choice not to buy a ticket before travel, and even though you say you intend to buy one on the train from Milton Keynes you are exposing yourself to possible trouble for no good reason. You seem to know that you would be in the wrong, as you have implied that you will tell a lie (i.e. claim that you were not carrying a card) if caught.

Quite simple, because I am not carrying the card. My CC is in Manchester, I have a duplicate card for some reason from Lloyds but it is not activated and i am pretty sure I had at one point reported this one missing at one point. (I have a bad habbit of misplacing things). I do have an prepaid american express (someone got it me as a birthday present) but according to http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/45185.aspx#credit you cant use it, it does not list it there. I know I am exposing myself to a risk but I have no intention of evasion or anything else what so ever. Since its a Virgin train, it depends how good or bad are.

Sometimes I do the most stupid things amd forget things.

 

[Squaddie]

If you're not carrying a card then there is clearly no opportunity to buy a ticket before boarding and there should be no issues.

I assumed (incorrectly, as it turned out) when you said that you use your card "as a last resort" and that "they would have to prove I had my card on me" that would actually be in possession of that card.

 

[Tetchytyke]

You can't be prosecuted, charged a Penalty Fare or prevented from buying discounted tickets if there were no facilities available to pay your fare. It is a grey area about whether card only TVMs count as "facilities", and ATOC are at pains to avoid defining what counts as a "lack of facilities", but I cannot see any prosecution succeeding where a passenger could not pay cash to buy a ticket and was in actual possession of said cash at that time. I cannot see a TOC trying to argue in court that a passenger must use the card that is in their possession, given that there is no legal obligation on any retailer to accept cards for payment (this is used as justification for Northern being unable to accept many types of Visa Debit card).

The opposite situation, where you wanted to use your card but were unable to, is different. There are many places where cards are not accepted for use and there is no obligation on any retailer to accept card payments (indeed until recently the T&W Metro didn't even accept notes).

 

[suley]

Just thought I would let you all know how I got on, writing this on my TPE connection. The machine was card only again so I took a pic and noted the fare. About 30 mins in the conductor entered my carriage from first class, I approached him and he asked me for my ticket. I said I needed a ticket and I told him where from and to, he asked if I had any rail card and I said nope, at this point he said ah yes and I said I wanted an open return off peak, he obliged and issued my ticket. I explained not that I needed to as he had issued my ticket that I was thinking what would happen as my origin station machine was not working he said it was ok and they were happy or something to provide tickets


So in the end a good outcome, now I have to keep it safe till next week. Today I forgot my home keys at work and work pass at home.

Just a massive thanks to all for there views and contributions!

 

[fowler9]

Just thought I would let you all know how I got on, writing this on my TPE connection. The machine was card only again so I took a pic and noted the fare. About 30 mins in the conductor entered my carriage from first class, I approached him and he asked me for my ticket. I said I needed a ticket and I told him where from and to, he asked if I had any rail card and I said nope, at this point he said ah yes and I said I wanted an open return off peak, he obliged and issued my ticket. I explained not that I needed to as he had issued my ticket that I was thinking what would happen as my origin station machine was not working he said it was ok and they were happy or something to provide tickets


So in the end a good outcome, now I have to keep it safe till next week. Today I forgot my home keys at work and work pass at home.

Just a massive thanks to all for there views and contributions!

Glad you got on alright. To be honest it struck me as a bit of a none debate. You can't be forced to pay by card, especially if you don't have a card with you but have the cash. You should visit the North West where it is hard to pay by card even if you want to.

 

[bb21]

I can see the point some of the others are making, however in my opinion it would be a little silly for a TOC to initiate prosecution proceedings in these circumstances.

 

[maniacmartin]

according to http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/45185.aspx#credit you cant use it, it does not list it there

It is listed there - its called Amex. (American exrpess). The American Express gift cards are swipe only (no chip) so whether they can be online-auth only is an interesting question.