And Hello everyone,
I have just registered on the Forum and this is my first post!
I was hoping to pick your brains a little regarding a similar issue I have found myself in.
I have travelled from St Pancras to St Albans on the Saturday just gone.
My partner and I have stupidly used my bank card
- thinking that St Albans was still covered by the London zone!
It's a complete mistake on our part which I have admitted to the staff at St Albans station, and apologised.
I have asked if it's an option for us to purchase a ticket now (hoping they would exercise the discretion) which they have not.
In fact, the first officer said that I ought to pay the penalty of £25 which I thought was too much (given the standard penalty is £20).
I have simply asked him to explain to me why it is more than £25 pounds.
At the same time my partner was speaking to the second officer who said to him that he can pay the amount £11.80 now, and the rest he can appeal later.
When I heard this, I asked "my" officer if I could pay the same to which he said no.
I asked why that was the case but he just said that was up to him
- essentially charging me more than my partner, and for the same offence.
I though it was not fair, and refused to pay the £25.
He automatically started filling in the MR 11 notice (the "witness statement").
I had no idea what that was, and asked if he could explain which he just said - this is a legal document.
I asked if he could please confirm that he is indeed entitled to serve this to me
- I asked for his employee reference number and to show me a badge with his picture on.
He told me his employee number, and refused to show any documentation to support it and said that I would just have to believe him.
At this point I said I would rather pay the £25 penalty fare (I did not understand the MR11 but it sounded scary), but "my" office said that it was too late.
I suspect I will be receiving the notice to prosecute very soon.
My question is
whether I should wait for it to arrive, or should I contact the Prosecutions department now, before the notice arrives.
I never not wanted to pay the penalty fare, I just wanted to be treated in the same way my partner was
- i.e. pay £11.80 penalty fare rather than £25.
I still want to pay for the journey I made/penalty fare, but I can't do that via Thameslink Customer Department (because Penalty Fares Department is independent to GTR).
I would be grateful for your thoughts,
Many thanks in Advance
Majka13