Unfair train fine!!!

I was on the train about a week ago, and when asked for my railcard I realised I had left it in another bag which I didn't have with me. The train manager gave me a penalty fare notice and said I had until 16th August to send off a copy of my railcard, or if not, pay a £20 fine.

Then I received a letter from revenue protection support services, saying that my fine was overdue and that I now owe £40. The letter is dated 5th August.

Everywhere I look online it clearly says that a passenger has 21 days to pay £20.

I am about to send off a copy of my railcard, as this incident was genuinely an honest mistake, but should I make some kind of complaint about this letter?

I think it's really unfair that I could have been unable to find my railcard, and had I not been the kind of person to check, I might have paid double what I am supposed to. I wonder how many people do end up doing this?

I was "almost" arrested for buying a child ticket at 16. Yes, it's as serious as that.

I was "almost" arrested for buying a child ticket at 16. Yes, it's as serious as that.

How old is a child ticket? How old do you look? How did they know you weren't a child, did you tell them? Did you knowingly buy the wrong priced ticket?

A penalty fare notice is better than what I ve experienced , I ve not had mine and been made to pay the excess to make it up to a full adult fare once. I recon they ll ignore your complaint to be honest. Which train company was it?

It is harsh, but it is the way of the world. The rule is that if you don't have a railcard, you shouldn't travel, just as you shouldn't travel without a ticket. I would ignore whatever the guard may or may not have said and just go with the letter. It sucks but life sucks sometimes.

Good luck!