Basingstoke ticket error sees 1,500 passengers overcharged

A train company has apologised after it emerged a problem with a ticket machine meant about 1,500 people were overcharged for their journeys.

Passengers buying tickets to Reading at Basingstoke station may have been charged 40p more than they should have between 28 September and 10 October.

First Great Western (FGW) said full refunds would be given to any customers who had paid too much.

The firm said the error was fixed as soon as it was identified.

A FGW spokesperson added: "We are investigating how the incorrect information was loaded on to this machine.

"We apologise to any customers who have been affected by this, and urge them to contact our customer service centre for a full refund."

John Shaw is one of the affected commuters and overpaid by about £5 for tickets during a two-week period.

He said he finds it "shocking" that so many people have been affected.

"I've lost confidence in the machines," he added.

"I will definitely be keeping an eye out in the future and making a comparison between the price of tickets at the machines and those at the ticket office."

Tickets bought from ticket offices and online were not affected.