Hi,
Asking on behalf of a friend of mine who is wondering just what they can do to her......
She travels a lot on first class tickets for work and also has a student rail card (mature part time student) to save 1/3 off. However technically a student is discount is only available on advance first class tickets not walk on.
There is however a loop hole in that the machines the conductors have will issue them and most of the conductors don't care. Just have to buy them on the train which in her area is valid since most stations are un manned.
About five months ago, one ex conductor who she had a run in with a few years ago, and is now a conductor manager - did a ticket check and found her with a load of first class walk on fares with discount. She got reprimanded and a don't do this again letter so where possible she did try to go advance. Where this wasnt, she asked the question of the conductor - and if they said no, fine, if they said yes, fine.
As far as we can see its no different than walking into harrods and asking a chashier if you can the most expensive wine for £10 - if they say yes, its the cashiers problem. She never lied, she never tried to trick them, just asked.
Now, roll on two months later and she had valid ticket - full price no discount, and the samae manager came on and checked her ticket - valid, couldnt argue. Except he went to ask the conductor had she tried to get a discount and because she had, she got a nasty letter telling her this wasnt alloweed either.
In the mean time, some of the conductors say to her - "oh, and you have a rail card madam, I remember - and issue the tickets without her asking".
So then tonight, again she asked for a discount, didnt get it, full price paid - same of a manager - checks ticket, asks guard if she'd asked for discount - and yes.
Apparently he got all officious and is going to arrange for her to come in to discuss with revenue protection.
We just don't see what they can do without looking like fools - she doesnt lie, she doest try to hide stuff, all she does is ask and the train company's own staff sell her the product.
Any legal boffins know what is likely to happen?
We're afraid they might be able to go after her for thee difference in all the tickets she had which were discounted (can be tracked by payment card) and over the years she has probably saved in excess of 30K