Hi, Not sure where to post this so went to the most correct sounding place. I have for the last few years been working with a company during the summer months. As it is seasonal work there is no holiday in the usual sense, it is simply moving from site to site and working when needed. At the end of this current season (2015) I received a payment in lieu of holiday out of the blue for the time I worked as they have moved to an automated payroll system. However in previous years (2011,2012,2013 and 2014) I never received this payment. I was wondering whether there was any chance of reclaiming this or whether I would simply be under the employers discretion for whether or not to do so? Thanks for any help apologies if a stupid question Smiley

The £4.80 was the original fare price which I was offering to pay but the officer never took as part of the penalty, I reoffered this in my appeal. Payment was made tonight so all's well that ends well.

Thanks honeybee and just added the rep. Once again my sincerest thanks to everyone here Smiley

Just to update you guys on this. This is an excerpt from my appeal reply

No offence taken, I meant it as part of my case of frustration and impatience if that's how they see my willingness to exit quickly as part of my liability or even as far as attempted ticket evasion. Not as part of the whole inability to buy a ticket. Everytime I've taken the train the conductor leaves his cabin and proceeds with rounds which is where I made an effort in my eyes to sit within the first compartment ready. I didn't feel comfortable knocking on a staff area door in case, as would be the case for not making rounds, they were busy. I know it may be classed against me but i'll still appeal. Thanks for the advice Bandit, that's exactly how my case is. And how I acted. My frustration comes from staff being unable to see past a small mistake and actually assist me in paying. Not being penalty happy and throwing me to an officer rather than helping me rectify the mistake.

I will say that my ignorance to there being a fares to pay desk does count against me yes. However the first members of staff I noticed were the barrier staff. Hence why I spoke to them first as I'm not comfortable asking random people on a very busy station when as i said previously, was in a rush myself.

Thanks for showing me some of the laws that may be used, you have enlightened me to the struggle i'm going to face! I'll send my appeal tomorrow morning (The PO Box is in Portsmouth so shouldn't have any problems with delays being sent from Portsmouth too) and await their decision. However you never answered whether adding my bookings for my coach would help my case? Thanks for all the help and I'll try to let you know of the outcome. Smiley

Surely when i said to him 'I have no ticket the conductor was meant to sell my ticket but never appeared on the train although i'm happy to pay' He could say just over there right? I wasn't saying Just checking tickets in a derogatory way, i meant as in not an revenue officer, you seemed to originally post as if i had been stopped directly by the revenue officer in question. I understand there may be a lot of points against me, however i will still appeal this as i feel there could have been a much simpler way of dealing with this situation from their staff, rather than their bag and tag as many as possible way currrently

I'll have to apologise for my complete ignorance of there being a fares to pay desk as i've said i've never had to use it as i usually have my ticket. I was talking about the general ticketing desks on the other side of the barrier exits which is where i was stopped. I also said at the barrier I was happy to pay but was referred straight to a revenue officer thanks for the helpful staff there too (just sat checking tickets at each barrier) To reiterate my point, had i known there was a way to pay, or had been referred to said desk, i would have had no problem (as i said i offered to pay my ticket to the barrier staff and revenue officer) which is where i cannot understand why i was not simply referred to said desk to pay.

Hi there, thanks for the replies. The conductor actually exited the train to speak to me and personally reassure me and then stayed in his cabin part at the end of the train (I was sat next to it waiting (staff only signs, i respect their usage because they probably are busy)) the entire journey (around 40 minutes half the length of the whole journey that train takes on that line when also passing stations such as the University train station so it's not as if the train is an empty train) To buy a ticket in new street station after would only be possible once passing the barriers as they check tickets in and out before allowing people near the platforms so i had no chance once at the station to purchase my ticket before approaching the barriers which is where i hold my grievance for no ability to purchase a ticket other than from the conductor. I have wrote a letter so far and am ready to send it, however was wondering whether adding a copy of my booking references etc for my coach would help as those will show the times to help with my case of frustration as i had to leave. I hold a personal problem with the revenue officer for being an absolute jobsworth and physically slowing down everything from his speech to his writing once i'd asked him to hurry up as it seems he intended to make me late so I can already tell he'll write a report completely against me. I know i was impatient and got rather frustrated, but i feel in my case i had every right to when I have been pretty much sandbagged by them. 20 years using London Midland trains generally prebooked, the one time i'm in a hurry i get treated like a criminal! It frustrates me that their staff can show such divided natures, and almost seem to cooperate to cause these fines. It is difficult for me to get a note from the booking office clerk because it is 130 miles away from portsmouth and was only home for the weekend and next the middle of december especially when the staff in their change, however i'll speak to my friend and family see if they can go down and see what they can do.

Hi, I was travelling from Redditch station at midday today but arrived as the train had arrived (left packing slightly late ended up running to the station) i asked at the counter whether it was possible for me to buy a ticket on the train, was referred to the conductor as it was his decision. He was making his final announcements so i waited on the platform until he had finished and then asked him. His reply was it would cost £3-4 more than the ticket machine but I could if i couldn't wait for the next train (Every half hour from the station would have made me late for my coach). So I thanked him and got on, for him not to appear during the journey at all (I was sat money in hand waiting to purchase my ticket on the first carriage next to his compartment). As i got to Birmingham New Street I proceeded to the barriers where i told the man checking tickets upon exit I had no ticket. He called over a ticket officer who proceeded to tap on a board while giving me a lecture about it. I explained multiple times and offered to pay the cost of my ticket to get this sorted quickly as I had to leave for my coach (another 15 minute walk to the station). He proceeded to ask for my details, telling me i was receiving a penalty fare, which i gave and asked him how long it would take which he replied with 'However long it takes'. Very Useful! As he took his time slowly copying out my details onto the form I asked him to please hurry up as I could not miss this coach (To Portsmouth where i'm at uni, I had the funds for my ticket on the train no money for one back or another coach booking!). His response was that 'You should stop acting aggressive or I will call the traffic police and have you arrested!' I told him very sternly that this was ridiculous and I had offered multiple times to pay for my ticket after assurances from the conductor of the train in question, i suggested phoning/radioing through (however they communicate) to which he just replied No and threatened me that I was close to breaking ticket evasion laws and as such could be liable for a £1500 fine and 3 months imprisonment. Safe to say I asked him to hurry up once more (to another lecture of let me do my job and i can be as quick as you like, as he reads every sentence describing my details etc) I took the notice and then had to run to the coach station so I wasn't late. My question is where do I stand in terms of an appeal, there is CCTV of the Redditch platform which will show me speaking to the conductor before boarding, do I have any legal grounds to appeal this as I clearly stated that i was willing to pay yet this was waved away by the officer (He took none of the payment of the £20 penalty fare not even the cost of my single although offered) Thanks A very confused Smiley!