A train operator has issued a warning after passengers are being overcharged on journeys into London.
Passengers travelling on C2C trains were left confused after they were overcharged on journeys into London from Essex.
However, the glitch might have gone unnoticed for many using contactless payment, so the train operator issued a warning to alert people to check their bank statements.
It said that due to an ‘unforeseen technical issue,’ some passengers travelling outside the Oyster Zone and Fenchurch Street or Liverpool Street stations are affected.
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They were overcharged by up to £3 per journey, C2C said.
The operator said: ‘A technical issue in our fares data means pay as you go with contactless fares are currently being charged at an additional £3 for these journeys.
‘All other journeys, including those onwards using the Underground, are unaffected.’
The issue, which is still ongoing today, affects journeys that either started or ended at Liverpool Street or Fenchurch Street stations.
People were told to buy paper or mobile tickets to avoid being overcharged.
Passengers took to social media to air their frustration, with some people concerned the issue could be more widespread.
One passenger said he was overcharged £6 for a Basildon to Fenchurch return ticket.
Another one said: ‘That sounds really bad, am glad I have an e-ticket.’
C2C apologised to customers over ‘any inconvenience this technical issue is causing.’
How to get a refund
You should keep a full record of all contactless journeys where you have been overcharged.
C2C said it will issue refund guidance ‘as soon as possible.’
‘We are working with TfL to resolve the issue and will be issuing guidance soon on how to claim for a refund,’ it said.
C2C is the next train operator due to be nationalised under the government’s Great British Railways plan.
The train firm will be brought back into public ownership in July. You can read more about when it happens and what that means for passengers here.
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