$200 CityRail Penalty Appeal HELP (3 Viewers)

[Flying]

Hey there,

I received an on the spot $200 fine from CityRail. I bought a ticket from a station - Single, One way, City Circle. I planned on getting off at Station X and did. A CityRail officer came up to me and checked my ticket. I told them that I didn't realise Station X was not part of the City Circle. They said thats fine. However, what I received the fine for, was for not having a proof of eligibility as I had bought a concession. I am 18 and had my drivers license. Whenever I catch a train I always press concession because I am a student and 18 and I was not aware that I have to have a specific concession card, I thought that a license is adequate. Also, this was my genuine mistake as Sydney ticket machines have a message on the bottom left hand of the machine telling what card I need - something which I just found out, after many years of catching trains. (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/Cityrail_Ticket_Vending_Machine.jpg)

When purchasing the ticket, I thought to myself - where is the adult button?

There are four options when selecting the ticket type:

Pensioner/Senior Citizen
Child under 16
Student/Apprentice
Others entitled to half fare

I selected Student/Apprentice - because that is what I am. However, a day after this happened my mate told me that there is no adult button, and that if I leave it - the machine will automatically select adult. Even though I have been catching Sydney trains for a very long time - I always used my student school pass and whenever I wasn't going to and from school I always selected concession.

I understand that it is up to me to be aware of the rules of buying a concession card, however what I did was a completely genuine mistake - I have been catching trains nearly every single day for 9 years and did not realise.

I am going to appeal it because it was a genuine mistake. If my appeal is rejected, I guess I will have to pay.

Is there any way I am able to twist the story or just explain how it was a mistake? I know that if I say it was a genuine mistake, they will still most probably fine me.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Flying]

Also, does this go on a permanent record?

 

[Bored_of_HSC]

You need a lawyer son.

But seriously man i'm not sure there's anything you can do. You can't have the excuse of ignorance. (ie that you didn't know that concession cards are the only valid forms of id) (that i know of, i might be wrong).
Usually you're let off without a fine but this guy must have been harsh.

Sorry.

 

[Flying]

You need a lawyer son.

But seriously man i'm not sure there's anything you can do. You can't have the excuse of ignorance. (ie that you didn't know that concession cards are the only valid forms of id) (that i know of, i might be wrong).
Usually you're let off without a fine but this guy must have been harsh.

Sorry.

Thank you for responding.

Sorry, I meant fine not penalty.

Also, they put the wrong street name on the notice. A street that does exist in my neighborhood, with a couples letters of difference. Does this make it invalid?

 

[Carrotsticks]

Is there any way I am able to twist the story .

I don't like this attitude. It will get you into a whole heap of trouble.

Pay the $200 fine, move on, and make sure to bring a concession (or student card for USYD) around whenever you use public transport.

Lesson learned.

 

[Bored_of_HSC]

Thank you for responding.

Sorry, I meant fine not penalty.

Also, they put the wrong street name on the notice. A street that does exist in my neighborhood, with a couples letters of difference. Does this make it invalid?

Yeah i think you should tell the authorities about the confusion with the street name.

Also not sure if it goes on your permanent record lol. But either way don't worry too much about this. Not like you shot someone or something haha.

 

[bladeys]

have been catching trains nearly every single day for 9 years and did not realise.

I am going to appeal it because it was a genuine mistake. If my appeal is rejected, I guess I will have to pay.
.

Tough luck mate, Cityrail will say how can you make a mistake like that if youve been catching trains for 9 years.

Thats like a driver saying "Hey ive been driving for 9 years now but I didnt know that I couldnt drive more than 60kmph in areas where I see a sign with a red circle around the number 60"

 

[Rafy]

The appeal will be considered against the review guidelines.

See Page 24.

http://www.sdro.nsw.gov.au/lib/docs/misc/br_001.pdf

 

[mash121]

ok firstly it will not go on ur permanent record, secondly if u do not pay it then they will make u pay an extra $100 on top. there is no point in trying to appeal it because either they will think ur lying and that u did know and didnt have ur concession (i am not doubting u but the judge will) or they do not care for your ignorance since it says on the machine that u must carry a proof of concessions at all time. i am not 100% sure but if u r found guilty after u try to appeal the charge u might have to pay an extra fee on top of the fine. in my honest opinion just pay it off and leave it behind u because the chance u would get away with it is nearly 0 unless the judge is really empathic which i doubt

 

[bladeys]

Also as your username is 'Flying', WHY DID YOU TAKE THE TRAIN

 

[gettinbetter]

Slip the judge a $100 note

 

[SunnyScience]

I think you will be fined.
As seen on the image you tagged it says the conditions of getting a student consession card.
However, if you really want to you can argue lack of public awareness of the conditions, confusing conditions unsuited for those legible for concession cards etc. and request that you have your complaints sent to a higher part of cityrail.

These types of tactics have worked for friends of mine with phone bills, computer problems etc. etc.

Try if you like, ignore if you don't

gl.

 

[Cl324]

Appeal it! It cant hurt.
They will usually ask you to provide proof that you have a concession card within a certain amount of days and if it is valid, you should be fine.

 

[Bored_of_HSC]

I couldn't help it... Sorry lol.

 

[OzKo]

I think you will be fined.
As seen on the image you tagged it says the conditions of getting a student consession card.
However, if you really want to you can argue lack of public awareness of the conditions, confusing conditions unsuited for those legible for concession cards etc. and request that you have your complaints sent to a higher part of cityrail.

These types of tactics have worked for friends of mine with phone bills, computer problems etc. etc.

Try if you like, ignore if you don't

gl.

These things don't typically work with government bodies. Your friend was dealing with a business and they're more likely to cut a deal to make sure that they keep a customer.

 

[wannabesurgeon]

Just a question, Where you wearing school uniform? Cityrail are not meant to check students in uniform.

 

[Flying]

Thanks everyone for responding, really appreciate it.

The appeal will be considered against the review guidelines.

See Page 24.

http://www.sdro.nsw.gov.au/lib/docs/misc/br_001.pdf

yeah it would be 13.7

I guess I have no reason to appeal it. I'm just going to have to pay.

Does something like this expire after a couple of years?

 

[wantingtoknow]

I haven't read everything yet but

do you have a concession card? I heard that if you show your concession card to them after you get fined, they will revoke the fine.

 

[Flying]

Just a question, Where you wearing school uniform? Cityrail are not meant to check students in uniform.

no

I haven't read everything yet but

do you have a concession card? I heard that if you show your concession card to them after you get fined, they will revoke the fine.

I think its expired because school is finished

 

[wantingtoknow]

I think its expired because school is finished

if I remember correctly, it should last until march. there should be an expiry date on the card