Travelling on child ticket age 16 Scotland

[mum4321]

Hello, 

Hopefully this will be a straightforward one. 

My daughter travelled on a child ticket despite being 16. 

It was on a train (old virgin train, I think it's LNER now) on our local line (mostly Scotrail trains).

You can buy tickets on the train, despite there being ticket machines at the stations. 

Although some of the Virgin train guards did used to get rather negative about this. 

 

She got caught by the guard and tried to get out of it by giving a birthday, but then realised it had gone past and it just proved she was 16 and too old for a child ticket.

 

She then apologised and asked to buy the full adult ticket (cost of ticket £5.60).

he refused to let her and apologised saying that they were 'cracking down' recently and he had to fill out a report.

He didn't give her the option of paying a fine or anything. 

 

She gave all the correct details and it's been several weeks, but finally a letter arrived today. 

I have paid the 'administrative fee' today online of £25.60.

 

It also says:

'this case has been assessed and considered to be suitable for resolution by administrative penalty',

(also states that they try to do this by fee if the person is under 18) so I've paid. 

 

But then it goes on to say:

(next paragraph)

"...if after your letter has been assessed and the file reviewed, there is no reason to change the view that action is justified, then our reply will say so and we will allow a further 7 days for you to take up the opportunity before proceeding further..."

I'm rather confused about this, can someone explain.  

 

Initially I thought paying the fee was it,

reading it again I now see we need to write a letter,

which she should sign (not me, even though she is under 18?). 

 

This being the case what should we say? 

Yes, I'm guilty, say sorry and have already paid admin fee as offered in letter, something along those lines? 

Then send by registered post to make sure we have evidence that it has arrived?

 

Also, I really am confused by this second quote,

unless I'm missing something (which is highly likely, the whole thing is giving me a headache),

it sounds like they are looking to prosecute anyway but will give '7 days to take up the opportunity' what opportunity? 

To pay? 

 

as we've already paid now, we still need to write a letter, or else they will prosecute. 

I think I'm going round in circles.  

 

Someone please put this into plain English for me and calm me down! 

Thank you for reading this far.

 

(PS. yes she has already been punished by me for being such an idiot. 

I have been giving her sufficient money for the full train fare, etc for her after school club, she is paying me back for this fine.)

 

[dx100uk]

write and send our standard grovelling letter 

base it as you have already

get her to sign it

https://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/topic/407694-notice-of-intention-to-prosecute-thameslink-changed-carnet-ticket-date-please-help-settled/?tab=comments#comment-4877933

[mum4321]

Thank you dx100uk

I'll get that sorted tomorrow. 

(and breathe....)

 

[honeybee13]

Hi.

You could add something about how remorseful your daughter feels [if she does] and that she promises never to do this again.

HB

[ericsbrother]

they are asking for £5.60 for the ticket and a flat £20 for the penalty fare.

pay that and it is the end of the matter.

Dont pay within 7 days of that letter and they may take it further.

 

Like your leccy company send out a red letter on a particular date after the bill was due there is always a lead in time hence the "ignore if you have already apid this bill" type bit at the end of the threat to burn your crops and infest you with the plague etc.

If you can prove you paid that is the end of the matter

[mum4321]

Hi ericsbrother

Thank you, that made me laugh!  

I've sent the grovelling letter which also gave the reference number of the payment I made. 

I wonder if they will even bother replying now they have the money.