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Metro
2 days ago
- Business
- Metro
Train passengers fined 'too harshly' for 'innocent errors' with tickets
Train passengers are being punished for accidental 'minor transgressions' when buying tickets, the rail watchdog has said. With millions of people in the UK travelling by train every day, mistakes are bound to happen – whether that's selecting the wrong railcard or catching the wrong train. And the country's rail ticketing system, with various train operators and websites, can be confusing – and draconian. Now, the transport watchdog, the Office of Rail and Road, has said that train operators took disproportionately harsh measures against passengers who had made 'genuine errors.' The rules are so harsh that a passenger was threatened with prosecution for mistakenly selecting a 16-25 railcard discount when they had a 26-30 railcard. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Another person found out they had a criminal record when having a background check for a job, despite successfully appealing the penalty fare four years prior. One passenger had a printed e-ticket, but it was so water-damaged it could not be scanned by staff. Although they subsequently showed a proof of valid ticket for the journey, they were threatened with prosecution. The passenger ended up settling out of court for £81 to avoid the risk of conviction, which is 'a serious and potentially life changing matter,' the watchdog said. In a scathing new report reviewing train operators' revenue protection practices, the watchdog made recommendations on how buying the right ticket could be simpler and how passengers are treated when ticket issues arise. It comes after 59,000 alleged fare evasion convictions were overturned after train operators used a secretive legal loophole, the Single Justice Procedure, to fast-track prosecutions behind closed doors. After the procedural error by train operators was revealed, the Transport Secretary commissioned the watchdog to review revenue practices to make sure that 'fare evasion was being addressed, but in a way that was fair to passengers and in line with the correct procedures.' Sam Williamson, 22, was threatened with prosecution after he bought the wrong ticket using his 16-25 railcard on a journey in Manchester. In the end, Northern Trains backed down on the case, which could have left the graduate with a criminal record. The watchdog has made several recommendations after disgruntled passengers shared their experiences and after hearing from the rail industry, whose staff can face challenges 'with aggressive and abusive behaviour' when checking tickets. It can be difficult for staff to distinguish between innocent mistakes and deliberate fare dodging, the report said. Also, under railway laws, it is simply an offence not to present a valid ticket for a trip, regardless of the passenger's intent. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Meanwhile, train fare evaders continue to be captured – some of them red-handed like a 'short farer' at Waterloo who avoided paying £20,000 over three years by buying a ticket only for a part of his commute. Fare evasion and ticket revenue loss are on the rise, and it is 'becoming normalised among certain passenger groups,' the watchdog warned. The watchdog made five key recommendations on how the fare evasion system could improve, although they are unlikely to have any immediate impact on passengers. Even seasoned travellers can be caught out by different ticket types, validity, restrictions and peak/off-peak travel times. This is because the ticket retail systems are out of date. The watchdog called for plain English explanations of ticket details, and a redesign of ticketing systems. Train operators have used 'inconsistent' approaches and legal powers, which can lead to 'sometimes unfair or disproportionate outcomes.' Actions to address this include adopting more consistent practices when tickets are checked and escalated based on 'likely passenger intent.' Passengers can face very different practices depending on the train operator if prosecuted for a mistake, including the choice of law, legal procedure, use of third-party agents and out-of-court settlements. This is why the watchdog proposed a more consistent legal test for prosecutions based on public interest, and a wider review of revenue protection legislation in the future. Some people, like Sam, have been caught out by the small print in the ticket T&Cs, with conditions like travel being limited to a specific time only if using a railcard. This could be addressed by making T&C, penalty, prosecution and passenger rights information easier to find and understand. The way train operators enforce train ticket rules has 'proliferated over time,' while the legal framework is complex and used inconsistently depending on the company. The ORR called for a body or forum to identify and promote best practices on revenue protection. Rail Delivery Group, the body representing UK rail operators, said the industry will work to implement the recommendations. A spokesperson said: 'Fare evasion remains a significant challenge for the industry, costing the railway hundreds of millions of pounds each year. More Trending 'That's money that can't be used to improve services, which increases the burden on customers and taxpayers. 'So we need to strike the right balance addressing genuine, honest mistakes made by customers and taking firm action against those who deliberately and persistently seek to exploit the system.' It comes after South Western Railway was nationalised as part of the government's plan to cut delays for passengers. However, the change does not mean cheaper tickets as the focus is on that 'trains arrive on time, lower levels of cancellation and a better passenger experience,' Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told Metro. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Rachel Reeves reveals £15,000,000,000 transport projects – here's what we know MORE: Motorcyclist seriously hurt after crash near London's Blackwall Tunnel MORE: Fare dodger barges his way through barriers – and straight into arms of police
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- The Hindu
Frame rules to act against erring share autorickshaw drivers, says HC
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Transport Secretary to bring in a suitable amendment to the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicle Rules, and frame proper rules to take action such as cancellation of permit and seizure of share autorickshaws in the event of dangerous driving or overloading of the vehicles. Justice K.K. Ramakrishnan directed the Transport Secretary to rein in instances of share autorickshaws carrying more passengers than the legally permissible limit, and dangerous driving, which put pedestrians and drivers of other vehicles to hardship. 'Accidents due to drunk driving cannot be taken lightly. It is common knowledge that the autorickshaw drivers operate the vehicles in a rash and negligent manner. They are to be dealt with in a strict manner,' the court observed. 'Carrying more passengers than the permissible limit is to be viewed seriously. The drivers are the custodian of the passengers, and they have a duty to drive carefully. The court has time and again directed the authorities to monitor the share government is not taking cognisance of the alarming rate of violation and the consequential loss of human life,' the court said. It directed the Transport Secretary to submit a report on the action taken, and posted the matter to August 22 for reporting compliance. The court was hearing an appeal preferred by Chellapandian of Ramanathapuram district. In 2015, the appellant rode his share autorickshaw, carrying more than 10 passengers, in a rash and negligent manner under the influence of alcohol, and hit a police van on Madurai-Kamuthi Road. Three persons died on the spot and several others were injured. The Additional District and Sessions Court in Paramakudi sentenced him to two years' imprisonment. He challenged the judgment. The High Court observed that the appellant acted contrary to the rules, with total disregard for public safety, and dismissed the appeal.
See - Sada Elbalad
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Madonna Teaming Up with Shawn Levy on Biopic Series for Netflix
Yara Sameh Music icon Madonna is teaming up with Netflix and director Shawn Levy on a limited series about her life and music. The series is in early development and is unrelated to the previous Madonna feature film that was set at Universal Pictures, with Julia Garner attached to star as the singer, before being scrapped in January 2023. It's unclear which part of Madonna's life the limited series would portray or who would play the musical legend. The singer put the Universal film on pause in favor of embarking on her worldwide 'The Celebration Tour' from October 2023 to May 2024, but sources told Variety at the time of the move's hiatus that 'she remains committed to making a film about her life one day.' She co-wrote two drafts of the film's script with Oscar winner Diablo Cody and Cressida Wilson ('Secretary,' 'The Girl on the Train') about large periods of her creative life. 'Ozark' star Garner won the role after other stars like Florence Pugh, 'Euphoria' actor Alexa Demie, Odessa Young and Bebe Rexha attended singing and dancing bootcamps. Madonna's most recent album, 2019's 'Madame X,' sold more than 500,000 copies worldwide and became the ninth No. 1 album of her career. Her 'Celebration Tour' was one of the fastest-selling tours of all time, with more than 1.2 million tickets sold. Madonna made $225.4 million from 80 shows and played to an audience of 1.1 million. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Watch: Hyderabad's Annapurna Studios marks its 50th year
The Annapurna Studios, established by veteran actor-producer Akkineni Nageswara Rao and named after his wife, marked its 50th year recently. The studio played a key role in shifting the Telugu film industry from Chennai (then Madras) to Hyderabad. Currently, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Amala Akkineni, Naga Chaitanya and Supriya Yarlagadda are spearheading the studio and film school. The movie Secretary, produced by D Ramanaidu and starring Nageswara Rao and Vanisri, was the first film made at Annapurna Studios. Nageswara Rao was determined to only work with producers who were willing to film in Hyderabad. Gradually, projects began to take shape and Hyderabad soon became the hub for Telugu film industry. Production and Voiceover: Yuvasree S
Fox News
06-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
AOC's constituents weigh in on presidential run warning GOP not to underestimate her
All times eastern FOX News Radio Live Channel Coverage WATCH LIVE: Treasury secretary defends Trump tariffs on Capitol Hill
