Disabled student chucked off the tram

Nineteen-year-old Nikki Charlesworth, who has cerebral palsy believed her Kangaroo ticket was valid when she boarded a tram last Wednesday.

The first year student studying theatre design was making her way to the New Art Exchange Gallery in Forest Fields, when inspectors got on board at Old Market Square.

But when she showed it to inspectors she was escorted off the tram and given the fine of £50.

“I don’t like the way I was treated,” said Nikki, who now lives in halls due to the exhaustion caused by commuting. “I had a Kangaroo ticket but the inspectors told me it wasn’t valid.”

Kangaroo tickets allow people to travel on buses, trams and trains in Greater Nottingham however the version that Nikki had, are no longer valid.

Her tutor, who got off the tram with her, offered to pay for her ticket, but inspectors refused. “It was so embarrassing. My tutor got off the tram with me to support me. I’m definitely going to appeal. My tutor even offered to buy my ticket but they would not have it.”

Because of her condition, Nikki gets tired very easily and cannot walk very far. She had a walking stick with her when the incident happened on Wednesday afternoon.

Nikki plans to log a complaint.

A spokesman for tram operators Nottingham Express Transit said: “Although we are not in a position to discuss individual cases, to ensure fairness to all customers, we are required to issue a penalty fare notice to anyone travelling without a ticket or a validated travel card regardless of their individual circumstances.”

“If customers feel they have been issued a notice unfairly, a three-stage appeal process is in place to consider all the facts before deciding whether the penalty fare should be enforced or a final warning issued.”

The spokesman added: “We would like to take this opportunity to remind people that they must buy a ticket or validate their travel card before boarding the tram.”