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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Discrepancies when issuing fines

19 replies

Ryvitas · 01/08/2023 12:41

Riding the city centre tram line. I usually touch in with a contactless card prior to getting on, however on one occasion it was here already and I didn't want to miss it, so I decided to buy it on the app on my phone once I got on. Except the app only issues weekly or monthly tickets.
Inspectors came round, I didn't have a ticket and rightly got a fine, I know it was my own fault. £100 but reduced to 50 as I paid it early.
Anyway, on the tram today (with a valid ticket) inspectors come round again and there's a girl in her early 20s who doesn't have a ticket. "oooh I didn't know you had to buy a ticket before you got on." "Aww no worries darling." Says the Conductor.
Where's her fine?
If she weren't 23 with long blonde hair and size 8 would she have been issued a fine? They can't choose who they fine.

OP posts:

Hufflepods · 01/08/2023 12:45

Ultimately it doesn’t actually change the fact that you knew you needed a ticket beforehand and got on anyway.

MollysBrolly · 01/08/2023 12:45

Same as when you pay and bus driver lets people on without paying so bloody annoying

Original poster

Ryvitas · 01/08/2023 12:45

That's not what I'm saying. I'm asking why the other person wasn't fined for the same thing? I've already explained about my fine.

OP posts:

Original poster

Ryvitas · 01/08/2023 12:46

Yeah that's annoying too.

OP posts:

HakunaMatiłda · 01/08/2023 12:46

I’d contact the company and ask tbh.

Original poster

Ryvitas · 01/08/2023 12:47

I'll leave it, they'll probably have some excuse. I mean maybe she got a fine later down the line!

OP posts:

Barrell · 01/08/2023 12:56

Was it the same inspector? I expect some are stricter than others. I accidentally bought a train ticket for the wrong day last week - didn’t even notice until the conductor came round. He just accepted the incorrectly bought ticket, and trust me, I’m no 21 year old busty blonde.

Original poster

Ryvitas · 01/08/2023 13:08

No it was a different one, agree though they should all follow the same rules and standards, it's only fair.

OP posts:

Dotjones · 01/08/2023 13:09

Ticket inspectors are humans. Different humans behave differently to one another even when presented with exactly the same circumstances. Humans also differ in their individual behaviour when presented with the same set of circumstances repeatedly.

An inspector who has dealt with several fare-dodgers being abusive to them when challenged is likely to be stricter with the next person without a valid ticket, even if that person is perfectly polite.

I don't know the exact terms and conditions of the transport company you were travelling with but I suspect their rules and regulations state that people travelling without a ticket may get fined. Rather than will get find. Inspectors have a bit of leeway, but it's their own judgement call.

The only way to protect yourself, if that's the right term, is to ensure you have a ticket before you travel.

KrisAkabusi · 01/08/2023 13:15

The difference is you admitted that you knew you should have had a ticket, she didn't. Not the same situation.

Original poster

Ryvitas · 01/08/2023 13:16

I did explain to them about their app but they didn't care. Rubbish she didn't know she needed a ticket.

OP posts:

KrisAkabusi · 01/08/2023 13:19

I didn't say she didn't know, I said she didn't admit that she didn't know. That's what's different.

Danikm151 · 01/08/2023 13:21

In some cities you pay for the tram onboard so it’s an understandable mistake.

I suppose it all depends on how sympathetic the inspector is

Original poster

Ryvitas · 01/08/2023 13:21

Ah well, it's done now I guess. I suppose there's unfairness in many aspects of life.

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Original poster

Ryvitas · 01/08/2023 13:22

That is true, however they didn't let me buy one on board. I showed them the app and how it didn't offer daily or single tickets, but they didn't care.

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Kazzyhoward · 01/08/2023 13:24

That's the problem with humans. It's the same with traffic/parking wardens, police officers, security staff, even retail workers. Some are biased and some are easier to manipulate than others. It's the problem with anything that's has any element of discretion. It's not right, but I don't know of any way to deal with it. That's why a lot of things are now done automatically, to remove the human element, i.e. traffic/speeding/parking enforcement in particular.

Molehillminnie · 01/08/2023 13:26

I think you should still make a complaint and send in screenshots of the malfunctioning app. My friend was fined at Surbiton station some years ago for not having a ticket. The ticket machine at the branch line she got on at wasn’t working. She tried to buy a ticket at Surbiton (as opposed to jump the barrier, as some did) but being honest simply doesn’t pay. She got fined for trying to do the right thing!

MavisChunch29 · 01/08/2023 14:13

It's a bit stupid that they don't have a contactless pay thing on the actual bus. I would never expect that you couldn't pay once you were on the bus.

Original poster

Ryvitas · 01/08/2023 14:55

Agreed that an automated system would be better as no room for manipulation etc.
That's frustrating what happened to your friend!
I did try to appeal but it was rejected.
Ah well I always touch in first now.

OP posts:

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