Hi,
I'm wondering if anyone can help with seeing what I can potentially do in this situation.
I have a monthly metro pass for the Manchester tram system which expired on 1st January 2026. On my commute to work the next morning, I realised that I had completely forgotten to pay for a new monthly pass and so I approached the ticket man to explain this and showed him within the App that it had only just expired. I was asked to provide ID which I didn't carry and so he took my name and address to issue a £120 fine (reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days).
I appealed the fine on the basis that I had the intention to pay, explained my situation, and that the fine is disproportionate and unfair and that I am struggling with the cost of living crisis.
They rejected my appeal today and their email response doesn't acknowledge these things that I mentioned, but just says that I confirmed I wasn't able to produce a valid ticket when requested to do so, so my the mitigating circumstances I have mentioned 'aren't sufficient'. It says that if I wish to continue to defend the case, I would have to go to the Magistrates and risk prosecution.
Is there anything I can do here - is it best paying the fine and raising a formal complaint against them?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
