Ircas - to appeal or not to appeal

[xtarp]

Hi,

 

I have an annual season ticket from Banbury to London terminals which states is valid on all routes.

 

Trains run to Marylebone but I needed to go to kings cross. I jumped on a bus...I wasn't sure if my ticket was valid but I have an oyster too. I showed the driver my ticket who looked at it, perceptibly nodded, and so I carried on.

 

10 mins later, ircas fine from an inspector. Do I have grounds for an appeal?

[Grotesque]

NO. Because you used a railway ticket on a bus. The equivalent of attempting to board a plane with a bus ticket, I'm afraid. What you call 'all routes' is actually all reasonable routes, on the railway, NOT any other mode of transport unless authorised by the TOC, and that would be in exceptional circumstances (eg., disruption).

 

BUT:

 

You have, I assume, only received a penalty ticket, so yes, appeal. It won't do you any harm. You can't fight it legally (since you were on a bus without a bus ticket!!!) but apppeal, and the fact that you spend £4,700+ might go in your favour. As might the fact that the driver allowed you passage (although when / if questioned he will either deny or not remember it, naturally, thus being a -for your purposes- a useless witness). If you do possess such a ticket and did in fact find yourself in such a situation, of course (no offence).

 

I assume that the ticket you showed him was your Gold Card? Photocopy / scan it and send it in.

Oyster card? Fine to carry it, but if it's not 'touched in', then it's just a piece of plastic. Mind you, give them the number on the back, they can check your credit etc, so if you had means to pay, that too could go in your favour.

 

Don't threaten them or demand court action etc; a road to nowhere.

 

Remember that appealing a penalty won't increase the amount so you've got nothing to lose. And you might just succeed, who knows. And it could be a lot worse! lol

 

All the best.

Edited July 13, 2012 by Grotesque

[RPI]

i take it you had a ticket to "London Terminals"?

[xtarp]

Yes