Penalty Fare hassle due to Royal Mail Strike!!!!

[Lush]

I am posting this as I am so peeved by a recent experience.

A few weeks ago I was in a rush to catch an early morning train from ED to London Bridge. The ticket machine repeatedly spat out my change so I could not buy a ticket. As ever, there was a large que at the ticket office, so I ran and caught the train. Upon arrival at LB, I went to the 'fare owing' desk and explained my situation. The man was most unsympathetic, rude and insisted I should have had a valid ticket. He issued a penalty fare notice, which I declined to pay the total amount for, instead giving the fare (?2.40) and stated I would appeal. He gave me a ?20 fine, minus the ?2.40 I had paid.

The following day I sent a letter of appeal, as per the instructions on the ticket.

I heard nothing more for a further 4 weeks, and then I received a Final Demand letter for ?37.60, which said that as I had not responded I was no longer entitled to appeal and must pay the fine or face court proceedings. An additional ?20 administration charge had been added.

I telephoned South Eastern Railways and the debt collecting agency, offered to resend a copy of my appeal letter, and stated I had not even received an initial demand letter. Both stated that as they had not received my letter within the allocated time, I had to pay. They acknowledged the current Royal Mail difficulties, however stated if I did not pay now, they intended to proceed to court summons.

After attempting to negotiate, I eventually 'gave in' and am now ?37.60 out of pocket - so other ED train users beware!!!

[HAL9000]

Isn't there usually a procedure to Appeal Out of Time in such cases? For example, if you hadn't received the Final Demand notice....

In any event: Always send these types of letters by recorded delivery and keep the receipt!

[PeckhamRose]

Yes We should to send our letters to THEM by recorded or special delivery, but when we don't get THEIR letters because they DON'T send their letters by recorded or special delivery, we're in trouble for not responding! It's very unfair against us.