Great Western Coffee Shop

Two men's train trip should have totalled ^12.90 - Fined ^1,600 after pair dodge paying fare

Two men's train trip should have totalled ^12.90 - Fined ^1,600 after pair dodge paying fare

(http://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/resources/images/2156503.jpg?display=1&htype=0&type=mc3)
Two men's train fares should have totalled ^12.90 - why've they been charged ^1,600?

Two men caught trying to dodge paying the fare for two short train journeys have had the book thrown at them.

Brian Islam, 48, of South Street, Taunton, has been fined ^440 fine for travelling without a ticket.

He has also been ordered by Taunton Magistrates' Courts to pay, ^4.90 compensation - the amount the ticket would have cost - ^44 victim surcharge, ^160 costs and a ^150 criminal courts charge.

Jamie Waygood, 20, of Milton Road, Taunton, was fined ^440 fine, ^8 compensation, ^44 victim surcharge, ^160 costs and a ^150 criminal courts charge.

Great picture again (not)....SWT this time!

 ???   
The picture I see is of an early First blue liveried HST, so for the pedant it is still technically not a GWR train, but certainly 'almost' relevant .

Devon passengers fined in First Great Western Railway fares blitz
(http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/images/localworld/ugc-images/276269/Article/images/28543193/12025151-large.jpg)
Many Devon residents have been slapped with fines after not paying their train fare.

Nineteen rail passengers have been fined more than ^11,000 for not buying tickets to ride.

Most were taking local First Great Western trains on journeys around south Devon when they were caught.

None of them made the trip to court and the cases against them were proved in their absence at Torbay magistrates court ^ where the huge fines and costs were imposed.

Coner Stuart, 19, from Chudleigh, Devon. And Richard Steel, 41, from Newton Abbot, Devon, did not buy their ^3.60p tickets ^ and ended up being fined ^647.60p.

Luke Friar, 30, from Dartmouth, Devon, did not pay for his ^235.95p fare and ended up with a bill for ^879.95p.

Sarah Williams, 38, from Torquay, didn't pay ^11.60p for her ticket and was landed with a bill for ^655.60p.

A GWR spokesman said:"Fare evasion costs the rail industry about ^240 million a year.

"While it would be inappropriate to comment on individual cases suffice it to say that we have to follow due process and always attempt to deal with matters without court action.

"However, should individuals not respond to us the matter is referred to the criminal court process.

"Where a penalty fare is issued the passenger is written to and offered the opportunity to pay or to appeal the fine; a subsequent reminder is sent, and then it is largely taken out of our hands and into the court process.

"To be consistent for all those travelling the rules are the same regardless of the fare amount and are determined by national conditions of carriage.

"It is the Courts decision and we would respect that decision. I think it is also worth pointing out that the 'fine' in these instances is determined by the court, not by any train operator.

"Fare evasion costs the rail industry about ^240 million a year. To make sure that customers who pay for rail travel are not unfairly subsidising those who choose to avoid paying passengers are required to purchase a ticket prior to boarding a service from station ticket offices or from the available ticket vending machines."

As a minor point when did the Exeter Express and Echo style guide change and require their journalists to put a 'p' as well as ^ sign?

I understand if you go further west over the Tamar they are still marvelling at this new fangeled electric light type thing.

At least that's what I was told today when I suggested wifi at sports grounds shouldn't be unusual!

Further west we have the issue with one operator using RPIs on their trains and the other operator's Train managers actively encouraging people to buy on board.

As for Wifi at sports ground not being unusual, WiFi is the least of our concerns. We played an away rugby match to a team earlier in the season who's changing rooms were 1.5 miles away from the field, with their bar roughly situated half way between the two. The Pitch had no facilities what so ever, not even a portaloo for spectators.