It's a train one

[autienotnaughty]

So I needed to purchase a train ticket for tonight.
I did it earlier today I specifically remember clicking Forbes confirming payment
The journey was one stop £3,20
When I arrived at the destination station tonight there was a group of staff checking tickets . I couldn't find mine, I searched everywhere in my phone and eventually checked bank and no payment had been received. .
I explained that I couldn't find it. I've been fined - £100 , reduced to£50 if paid quickly.
It was a genuine error. Is it worth appealing?

Thanks

No, because you didn’t have a ticket. It’s a genuine error but everyone could say that,
couldn’t they?

I wouldn't have thought so.

You didn't have a ticket. If you could maybe have shown that you had booked the wrong one by mistake, then maybe you would have a case.

If people could just say 'but I tried to book one' and get away with it, everyone would say that.

How come you didn't check that you had your ticket before boarding the train? It would be on the app you used or have received an email confirmation. Therefore, you certainly don't have grounds to appeal against.

Absolutely not worth it. You haven’t been charged for the ticket. It’s no different to saying “i intended to buy a ticket, but I just didn’t”
If you’d purchased one and lost it then yes, worth an appeal. But on what basis would you be appealing? That you had good intentions?

I wouldn't think appealing would help.

You didn't buy a ticket, regardless of what you thought you did. No money left your account, no ticket was purchased and you had no proof. In most train companies it specifically says 'must be able to show, on demand, proof of a valid ticket' or wording to that effect (affect?). So if it's an e ticket and your phone has died, you're still liable for the fine, as you could not show, on demand, a valid ticket.

You could not show proof of a valid ticket (because you never bought one) so I would imagine an appeal wouldn't get far.

I also assume you were probably the 48th person that day to say 'omg, I totally bought a ticket, I promise! It's just vanished!'

It was a genuine error, but it was your genuine error. You didn't have a ticket, pay the fine.

I'm so annoyed with myself it's £50 if I pay it now.

The thing is if there had been a conductor on the train I could have (once I realised) paid on the train. There's no ticket machine at our station so only options are pay online or on the train. But there wasn't a conductor this time.

It may be a genuine error, but all fare evaders will say that. I'm surprised you boarded the train without downloading the ticket to have it ready though.

I'm surprised you're still allowed to buy from the conductor, on our line you have to have a ticket before you travel. If you see the conductor and you don't have a ticket, you're getting a fine.

I think your right. I don't get trains very often but it seems it changed at some point.

Lesson learnt

If there is no ticket machine at the station and there was no conductor on the train then you are allowed to buy a ticket at the earliest opportunity which could be at your destination.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/tickets-railcards-and-offers/buying-a-ticket/penalty-fares/

But if you travel on a train without a valid ticket, then you may be liable for a Penalty Fare. If you were not able to buy a ticket (for example, if the ticket office was closed or the ticket machine was broken), you must get a Permit to Travel or Promise to Pay at the station and exchange it for a ticket at the first opportunity. If you are unable to get a Permit to Travel or Promise to Pay, you can purchase a ticket on board (if available), or at the first opportunity.