Fare’s fair? Hardly

Published: 11th March, 2011

• IT is to be hoped Boris Johnson reads this paper (he lives in Islington) and can give the answer to anyone who has had the same experience as me.

Last month I was on the bus, I swiped in my Oyster card, three bus stops later the inspectors got on. They said I had not swiped my Oyster, I said I had. I was told I had to pay a penalty fare. I said I would appeal because I know that I swiped it. 

I did appeal and I was turned down. I got a standard letter saying that it was my responsibility to ensure my Oyster was swiped properly. I have been told by someone that very rarely does anyone win an appeal against a penalty fare. The reason for this is that Transport for London sees it as a way of making money.

Why have an appeal system if it is only window dressing and each case is not judged on merit?
Mrs Wilson
Essex Road, N1