Rail: Reduction of a penalty payment
from Jürgen Vogl
Shortly afterwards, she received a reminder from a debt collection agency, whereupon she contacted the company again in writing. The rail company offered to reduce the original claim from 135 euros to 86.50 euros. As the offer did not seem reasonable to the passenger, she lodged a complaint with the apf. The apf mediated positively in a conciliation procedure and obtained a reduction of the penalty payment to 13.50 euros. The complainant was pleased with the solution and transferred the amount.
Tips and information from the apf:
- Make an objection in writing. You always have one month to do this.
- The company must reply to your objection in writing before it can involve a debt collection agency.
- No additional costs such as collection fees may be charged before an objection submitted within the deadline has been answered.
- In the event of a justified objection where a ticket can subsequently be presented, the amount of the fine is to be reduced to a maximum of 10 percent.
Interesting links:
- Further information can be found on the apf homepage: https: //www.apf.gv.at/de/kontrollen-strafzahlungen-bahn-apf.html
- Additional fees WLB: http: //www.wlb.at/eportal3/ep/channelView.do/pageTypeId/71526/channelId/-49921
- Additional fees ÖBB: http://www.oebb.at/de/leistungen-und-services/nach-ihrer-reise/fahrgeldnachforderung