Originally Posted by
Reason077
Megatrain tickets have basically the same conditions as Advance tickets - i.e., you must travel on a specific train service to a specific destination, with no break of journey or "stopping short" permitted.
You can argue over terminology, but the fact that they had to pay *double* the prevailing full ticket price, in addition to the ticket they already purchased, makes it a fine in my book.
This couple broke their journey and were leaving the station. I have already pointed out that using station facilities does not count as breaking your journey. Different circumstances.
A penalty fare is not a fine but is a higher charge levied upon a passenger who makes a mistake. The couple had the option to not pay the penalty fare at which point it would be for SWT to bring court proceedings against them, at which they could be fined.