Standard Fare Notice - Appeal decision letter not received

wanderingaround

Hello,

I am wondering if someone else has found themselves in this situation.

Back in December I was traveling to work and tagged-on my leap card in a Dublin Bus, then I took the luas but I genuinely forgot to tag-on again, as I usually only use red and green luas line, so I tag-on at the beginning before I get on the red luas and tag-off when I get off the green luas, but that day I did it differently and out of habit I didn't tag-on at the green luas stop. It was a genuine mistake, as I had already paid the full fare in Dublin Bus.

Obviously then an inspector checked and they saw I hadn't tagged-on at the luas machine, I explained to the woman that I had indeed paid at Dublin bus and she said that I could appeal and explain the situation as it was not that I was traveling for free, I had already paid.

I sent the online statement of explanation within the following 14 days and never heard back from them, and I did forget about it to be honest. A few days ago it came to mind so I emailed them to ask what was the status of this and I got told that the decision was made back in December and that they issued a letter with it, letter that I did not receive and now I don't have the chance to pay the reduced rate that I would have had, had I received the letter. I have asked and they told me that they send them through general post, not registered, so I am wondering how is that fair?

I am not asking for the appeal decision to be changed or anything, I am willing to pay the fine even if if was an honest mistake, but if they are offering the chance to pay a reduced rate for a period of time, shouldn't they send the letter as registered post to ensure it is received in a timely manner?

It is very infuriating that I could end up in court because of this, and in the end I will have to pay the full fine because of a letter that was never received.

The most expensive commute ever, 102€.