The Guardian has an interesting article about Rail fines & prosecutions being handed out in spite of passengers buying a ticket
Rail passengers threatened with fines and even prosecution by train guards – despite buying a ticket – have called on the rail passenger watchdog to challenge their legality amid growing consumer anger.
Next week consumer watchdog Passenger Focus will publish a report calling for a change in the way train companies treat passengers, following a spate of incidents reported in Guardian Money. Passenger Focus will argue that the way passengers buy tickets has changed dramatically in recent years and the rules need to be updated. It is also expected to say train staff have to start taking a more common-sense approach to people who have bought tickets and have simply made a mistake. So far it has ruled out a legal challenge.
Currently if you have an advance ticket to, say, Newcastle and are booked on a certain train, the ticket is only valid for that service. If, say, your baby was sick all over you as you were due to leave, forcing you to get a later train, the guard can make you buy a new ticket – even if the train is empty.
In other cases, passengers on the right train but who were unable to show a ticket or a railcard left at home – but have proof of purchase – complained they were treated as though they were fare evaders, and in some cases threatened with prosecution.
Regular train users have questioned the legality of these "penalties" and asked whether their validity should be challenged in the courts.
Full story & discussion is over on the Guardian
Rail passengers threatened with fines and even prosecution by train guards – despite buying a ticket – have called on the rail passenger watchdog to challenge their legality amid growing consumer anger.
Next week consumer watchdog Passenger Focus will publish a report calling for a change in the way train companies treat passengers, following a spate of incidents reported in Guardian Money. Passenger Focus will argue that the way passengers buy tickets has changed dramatically in recent years and the rules need to be updated. It is also expected to say train staff have to start taking a more common-sense approach to people who have bought tickets and have simply made a mistake. So far it has ruled out a legal challenge.
Currently if you have an advance ticket to, say, Newcastle and are booked on a certain train, the ticket is only valid for that service. If, say, your baby was sick all over you as you were due to leave, forcing you to get a later train, the guard can make you buy a new ticket – even if the train is empty.
In other cases, passengers on the right train but who were unable to show a ticket or a railcard left at home – but have proof of purchase – complained they were treated as though they were fare evaders, and in some cases threatened with prosecution.
Regular train users have questioned the legality of these "penalties" and asked whether their validity should be challenged in the courts.
Full story & discussion is over on the Guardian
Short Link: http://setra.in/s/3gl
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