A pregnant teacher who was forced to sit on the floor during her train journey has been fined £600 for fare evasion despite having paid £70 for her ticket online.
Daisy Mumba, a 32-year-old, was convicted in her absence after failing to print out a ticket she purchased through the Trainline app.
Mumba began her journey back to Sheffield at Slough station before changing onto an overcrowded CrossCountry train at Reading.
She was unable to reach her booked seat and was forced to sit on the floor next to the toilet.
Mumba began her journey back to Sheffield at Slough station before changing onto an overcrowded CrossCountry train at Reading
PA
The seven-months-pregnant teacher had to repeatedly stand up to allow other passengers to walk past her.
Despite having paid for her ticket on the Trainline app, an inspector deemed it invalid because Mumba had not printed it out before boarding.
She was told to print the ticket out upon her arrival at Sheffield station, which she did.
Mumba believed the matter was resolved after following these instructions.
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However, the ticket was a £70.30 Super Off-Peak Single from Reading to Sheffield, requiring a change at Birmingham New Street.
Mumba later received a court notification for boarding a train without a valid ticket.
She responded by pleading not guilty and providing evidence, including a photo of the physical ticket, a screenshot from the Trainline app and her bank statement.
However, her letter never reached Northampton Magistrates’ Court and she was subsequently convicted in her absence and fined £600.
Had she not paid the fine, Mumba could have faced a prison sentence.
After the press brought the incident to CrossCountry’s attention, the train operator has said it is now “working with our prosecutors to withdraw” the case.
“I am not a criminal, nor am I in the wrong, as I have all the evidence to support the purchase of the ticket,” Mumba told The Observer.
“I am also terrified of the prospect of having a criminal record, as I am a teacher and will struggle to work with a criminal record.”
Ben Plowden, chief executive of the Campaign for Better Transport, criticised the complex ticketing system.
Train ticket (Stock Image)
PA
“This case highlights just how confusing and complicated the current ticketing system is and the excessive number of rules and regulations governing ticket sales and validity,” he told The Daily Mail.
He added that Government rail reforms need to ensure train travel becomes “simpler and fairer, with clearer ticketing options” to improve passenger experiences and encourage more rail use.
A CrossCountry spokeswoman apologised for Mumba’s overcrowded journey but emphasised legal requirements.
“No matter how busy a service might be, it remains a legal requirement for passengers to possess a valid ticket prior to boarding rail services,” she told The Daily Mail.
The company also advised passengers to “double-check their tickets including the journey details, ticket type, and ticket format” before travelling.