Just returned from a 1-week visit to northern Italy. Based in Bologna and visited nearby 5 cities via train. I was traveling from Bologna to Florence with a pre-purchased train ticket for a family of 4, the platform display board showed my train number being delayed for 15 min. When the train arrived, I boarded. The train conductor came and checked my ticket and notified me that I was on a wrong train, that my train was being delayed and the train I am on is the train scheduled to arrive after my train. I told him I triple checked the train status display prior to boarding and it did display my train number. To make a long story short, he disagreed with me and told me he had to fine me at least the price of one ticket which was about $50 (my original ticket price was only $17). While he was processing my credit card, I came across a photo I took on the platform just prior to boarding which captured the display board with my train number! He apologized and told I should pay any fine but my credit card was already swiped. I now have to explain and dispute the charge with my credit card company. I will be taking photos of the train status display board in the future.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
In my experience the train staff member was being forgiving. Display boards can be wrong, especially if trains are delayed or disrupted, and you should always check the number on the train itself - on long distance routes they will usually be on a sign or an electronic display on or next to the door.
Posted by
San Antonio TX, United States
2393 posts
We have had to change platforms as many as 3 times before our train arrived - I always check the info on the screens or placards on the train itself before boarding.
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
I would never think of looking for the train number on the train itself if the board said I was going to the right train, and nothing like this has ever happened to me. However, my train trips have mostly been in France; this is Italy. Big difference.
Posted by
Los Angeles
1825 posts
Absolutely check the number on the train itself. How do you know if you are in the correct car or not? Country has nothing to do with it. I also ask an official on the platform if possible (usually they step off for a quick smoke). Been wrong once which was an expensive mistake.
Posted by
Green Bay
21153 posts
If you file a dispute with your credit card company, the first thing they will ask is "Have you communicated (writing/email) with the merchant to try to settle the matter?" So I think you should go to Italo contact site and ask that the fine be refunded and attach your photo of the train board. Then wait a few days, and then file the dispute. Trenitalia has a separate area on their site for dispute resolution, Italo should be no different.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Numbers are numbers, regardless of country, if Arabic numerals are being used.
I have gotten on the wrong train in at least two countries, because I didn't match the electronic board info, ticket, and train number. Stuff happens.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
ALMOST had the same thing happen yesterday on Trenitalia Padova to Bologna -- our train (ending in Roma) was delayed, and another Roma-bound train arrived at the platform. Luckily the board showed the number of the actual train at the platform, so we waited for the delayed train that matched our tickets.
Good luck disputing the charge!