To think this is just a but unfair?

[Arraminta]

DD is currently on a long train journey, her ticket was £100 and she has a student railcard. Unfortunately she left the physical railcard at home, but has a close up photo of it on her phone. She also has her driving licence with her as proof of ID and her online banking shows her purchase of the ticket.

But the conductor has ignored all of the above and has charged her the full £175 for her ticket. So she's now £275 out of pocket and really upset. I guess it's a salutary lesson for her and she'll never forget her railcard again, but wondering if there's anyway she can appeal? Even if she just recoups the original £100 she spent?

No warmth or charmth at all. I’m surprised she was accepted to charm school in the first place.

Thanks. I didn’t realise that.when I bought mine, I don’t think I had the choice, but I might be wrong. I agree, on your phone is best, unless you lose that, you will have it with you!
I travel using mine regularly. I have been asked to produce it maybe three times in 20 journeys. I don’t mind as it prevents fraud. I’m not sure why they don’t ask for it more often!

This is ridiculous ! I have a railcard it’s on my bloody phone never had a hard copy! How is one rule for one ok and not for annother! Definitely appeal!

What a miserable job's worth !!!

Why ask for opinions if you're just going to be a dick to those that don't pander to you and your view?

Your reaction to this comment in particular, shows that you KNOW that your daughter needs to be able to present her railcard in order for it to be valid. Ergo, you are completely unreasonable to think your daughter can appeal against a flagrant breach of terms.

It's an expensive lesson but they weren't being unreasonable.

For the future, there's a phone app that can hold an electric copy of your rail card.

I get the train for work 3 times a week and regularly see people getting fined for either no physical railcard or a valid ticket. They seemed to have really tightened up in the last year or so and never seen anybody let off. 1 or 2 every week.

They always advise the individual to appeal and tell them to include lots of detail, so it's definitely worth a shot.

YABU. She forgot it, them's the rules.

You can purchase a digital railcard or a physical one. Tell her to purchase the former in future.

I think the other conductor was being lenient. The rules are clear. It is harsh, I am terrified of forgetting my Railcard - so it never leaves my wallet.

Very unfortunate, but maybe just an expensive life lesson. Worth a try to appeal, I suppose, but unlikely to succeed. Another tip - I forgot to take my Senior Railcard with me once but was able to buy another one online for much cheaper than the cost of a whole new ticket.

Not all conductors have the authority to fine which is why some are let off. My mum had this same fine and appealed. The appeal was rejected so my brother wrote on her behalf enclosing all the proof e.g. photo of rail card etc. and they let her off. Definitely worth a go.

if the £175 was the full cost of a ticket, then surely she should be able to claim back the cost of the original unused £100 ticket?
Otherwise she is paying twice for the same were journey.

This is absolutely not true about the bonuses, at least on the railway my DP works for (he is a conductor).’Train managers’ are slightly different so not sure what their set up is.

’Revenue protection’ is a completely different job - it is their job to check tickets and railcards and fine or charge for replacement tickets accordingly.

It is very strict and if you are caught travelling without a valid ticket they have no choice but to fine as they are risking their jobs if caught letting someone off. If the conductors are caught letting someone off they could also be risking their jobs so it’s really not their fault, they are taking a big risk if they let it slide. Unfortunately travelling without the physical ticket (if that’s what you have) means the train ticket isn’t valid so that’s why a replacement was deemed necessary.

As a PP pointed out, sometimes they physically don’t have time to check everyone’s tickets as they also have to operate doors and other stuff so if it’s a short time between stops or a very busy train it sometimes doesn’t happen.

It makes sense that if you are out of phone battery they can’t accept a digital ticket or railcard as otherwise anyone with a dead/switched off phone would claim they had a valid ticket! You need to be able to produce it when asked, if you can’t that’s on you.

The not confronting rowdy rugby lads makes sense when you’re aware that train staff get attacked and assaulted all the time and more often than not they are alone on the train. By the time they could call for assistance from platform staff or BTP it could be too late.

Harsh lesson to learn but you may be able to appeal. Good luck!

I guess too late now but why on earth didn’t she just buy a digital version of the railcard there and then for £30… they’re usually delivered in 15 mins.

all the chat about charm school and how unfair it is, is totally ridiculous. Just because other people have got away with something so clearly against the terms and conditions of the ticket and card doesn’t mean your daughter should expect to be able to.

Unfortunately not. You have to select a digital railcard when you purchase it. If you opt to have a physical one then t=you cannot later change to the app.

My son's friend was fined when he had his wallet stolen half way through travelling. I think he appealed afterwards with his crime number etc.

SOME....do get a bonus payment...but clearly not your husband. Depends on the network...