A train passenger’s innocent mistake of using a railcard at the wrong time could potentially lead to a hefty fine and a criminal record. Sam Williamson shared his concerns about being prosecuted by Government-owned operator Northern after purchasing a ticket from Broadbottom to central Manchester, which he believed would save him £1.90, according to MEN. Williamson explained that he used the Northern app to buy the ticket in September, but nowhere in the app did it explicitly state that his railcard would not be valid for that particular ticket. The ticket purchased was an “Anytime” ticket, allowing travel without time restrictions, but he used a railcard discount for passengers aged 16-25.
During the train journey, the conductor informed Williamson that his ticket was invalid due to railcard restrictions. Despite offering to pay for a new ticket or accept a fixed penalty fare, the conductor insisted on reporting the issue, potentially leading to prosecution by Northern. The Anytime ticket purchased by Williamson can typically be used outside public holidays in July or August before 10 am, for a minimum fare of £12. However, Williamson claimed this information was not clearly presented on the Northern app. In a letter received from Northern Trains on Tuesday, Williamson was informed of the possibility of prosecution for the mistake.
Expressing his concerns over the consequences of what he deemed an innocent and confusing error, Williamson was anxious that a minor saving of £1.90 could result in a significant fine amounting to hundreds of pounds and possibly a criminal record. A spokesperson for Northern declined to comment publicly on the specific case. However, they reiterated the obligation for all passengers to purchase a valid ticket or obtain a promise to pay voucher before boarding the train, emphasizing that the vast majority of customers comply with these regulations. Any updates on this developing story will be shared as they become available. Follow Daily Record for more news updates and stay informed about the latest happenings in Scotland and beyond.