General Student Issues

Where do I do if I have lost something?

Lost Property in the Students’ Union

If you suspect you’ve lost property in the Students’ Union you can head to the second floor welcome desk to ask if it has been handed in. You can email StudentsUnion@cardiff.ac.uk (General Students’ Union Security Enquiries) or call 02920 781 400. 

Lost Property in the University

For lost property enquiries for the University in general (i.e. outside the Students’ Union, on University grounds) you are best directing your enquiry at University Security. Details here: ControlRoom@Cardiff.ac.uk, +44 (0)29 2087 4444, 70 Park Place, CF10 3AT. If you've lost property in the Centre for Student Life, go to the Student Connect desk on the ground floor. In libraries, speak to staff in the library if it is staffed - if not, you could go back the following day to ask at the library reception if anything has been handed in.

What is the Safe Taxi Scheme?

No matter where you are in Cardiff, we'll help make sure you get home safely.

1. Phone Dragon Taxis on 029 2033 3333 quoting ‘Cardiff University Safe Taxi Scheme‘ , and giving your name and student number.

2. When the taxi arrives, give your student card to the driver to check your booking details

3. When you get home, you’ll be given a receipt card detailing the fare incurred

4. Within the next few days, visit the Finance Office at the Students’ Union and pay the price of your taxi fare

5. Access to University services will be blocked if the taxi fare is not paid.

About the Scheme

The Safe Taxi Scheme was launched as a partnership between Cardiff University Students' Union and Dragon Taxis in 2012. The scheme was initiated by our Welfare and Community Officer (2012 - 2013), Megan David, to help students get home safely on nights out. The scheme has continued to grow since then with increased promotion during September and October every year when new students arrive in Cardiff.

Terms and Conditions 

• The scheme is available 24 hours per day
• There is a maximum allowance of £20 on the account and max 4 students are to travel at any given time.
• The drop off point must be a student residential address, Halls of Residence, Police Station or Hospital.

Student ID Card Collection Points

Students should collect their ID cards from the following locations, unless your School has informed you of separately arranged events. 

Cathays based students

Student Connect, Centre for Student Life

Monday - Friday, 9:00 - 17:00 

Heath Park based students

Cochrane Building(Ground Floor), Heath Park

Monday - Friday, 10:00 - 15:00

Replacement ID card 

If your Student ID card has been lost, stolen or damaged you can request a replacement at the Centre for Student Life. Please note, a £10 replacement fee may apply.

You can access a digital version of your Student ID Card via the University Student App which is free to download.

If you have any further questions with regards to ID cards please note the contact details below.

+44 (0)29 2251 8888

studentconnect@cardiff.ac.uk

If you are unable to show a valid train ticket when asked to, you may be issued with a Penalty Fare or Unpaid Fares Notice giving you the opportunity to settle matters with a payment. However, there are different schemes in operation around the UK. Not all companies have this scheme and the member of staff or other authorised person questioning you is not obliged to accept or apply a penalty fare.

This means that if it is thought that you have intentionally travelled without a valid ticket you may be reported for train fare evasion. If the Officer or member of staff has reason to believe that you intended to avoid paying the correct fare then they may report you and this will start proceedings that could result in prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court and a fine of up to £1000.

What is train fare evasion?

You can be found guilty of train fare evasion if you are found to have travelled on a train without a ticket or if you refuse to pay for a ticket for a journey that you are taking. You can also be found guilty of train fare evasion if you intentionally pay for a shorter journey than the journey that you are taking. Child tickets can only be used by people aged between 5 and 15 years old.

The train company requires you to have the correct ticket for the journey that they are taking and it is your responsibility to ensure that you buy a ticket and keep it safe.

Once you have been reported for train fare evasion, this starts a process that could result in prosecution and a fine of up to £1000. The investigating companies will give you the opportunity to explain what happened and where there is a clear mistake and it is a first time offence, they will consider settling the matter out of court by payment of a fine and giving a final warning.

Do all train fare evasion cases end up in court?

Prosecution is seen as the last course of action. Prosecution will be unavoidable where is it considered that there is evidence of the following:

• Fraud
• Giving false personal details
• Knowingly claiming a short journey
• Repeat offender (travelling without a ticket on more than one occasion)

What if the ticket machine is broken and there is no-one on the train selling tickets?

The train company accepts that you must have the opportunity to purchase a ticket. It is important that you can show that you have done everything you can to buy a ticket at the earliest opportunity. If you have not been able to buy a ticket when you are questioned by staff then you should be given the opportunity to buy a ticket.

If you find that the ticket machine is not working it is a good idea to take a photo of the machine or some details and/or report the problem to train staff. If no train staff are available at the station then you should report the problem to staff on the train as soon as you can. Keep a record of staff that you speak to as this will be your evidence if you are later questioned about not having a ticket.

What if I lose my ticket or miss my stop?

Train companies recognise that passengers can make genuine mistakes. If you have made a genuine mistake and it is the first time that it has happened, you should have the opportunity to explain this and be given the opportunity to settle the matter by paying the ticket price or a fine. However, if your explanation is not accepted, then you may be reported for travel without a valid ticket and further action will be taken.

How do the train companies check tickets?

In Cardiff, Revenue Protection Officers from Transport Investigations Limited (‘TIL’) work on behalf of Transport for Wales and carry out spot checks at stations on a regular basis to check that all passengers have the correct tickets for travel. If you are stopped by a Revenue Protection Officer and you are unable to show a valid ticket for travel then you will be questioned by them. If you are able to show that there was no opportunity to purchase a ticket at an earlier point in your journey then you should be given the opportunity to buy a ticket then. However, this might be difficult to prove and you may be interviewed by the Revenue Protection Officer who may report you for train fare evasion.

If you are reported, you should be given a leaflet explaining why you have been reported and what will happen next (link to example printed notice). The printed notice explains that you will be sent a letter from TIL setting out the details of the report made by the Revenue Protection Officer. You will be offered the opportunity to respond in writing within 21 days, giving an explanation and your version of events. At Student Advice (link) we can help you if you would like advice or support in replying to TIL.

How can I avoid being accused of train fare evasion?

In order to be sure that you are travelling on a train legally, you should purchase a ticket at the earliest opportunity and keep it safe. If you have difficulties obtaining a ticket, keep a record of the problems you find and report then to a member of staff soon as you can.

Where can I buy a ticket?

You can buy a train ticket at:

• online
• The ticket/booking office
• Self-service ticket vending machine
• If there are genuinely no facilities available to buy a ticket in advance online, at the ticket/booking office or the self-service ticket vending machine then you can get on the train and pay on the train at the earliest opportunity.

You can buy train tickets online in advance from Trainline: https://www.thetrainline.com

The benefit of buying tickets online is that you will have evidence that you paid for your journey if you later lose your ticket and are questioned by a Revenue Protection Officer.

The Transport for Wales website provides some information on railcard discounts: https://tfwrail.wales/ways-to-save/railcards 

Can’t I just get on the train and get a ticket from staff on the train?

In some areas, there may be a ‘Pay on Train’ policy which means that you can pay on the train. There will be signs in the station to notify you of this.

In all other areas, you are required to buy a train ticket in advance. If there are genuinely no facilities available to you to buy a ticket then you can get on the train and pay at the first opportunity. It is advisable for you to find a member of staff to notify them that you need to purchase a ticket.

What if I am in a rush and there is a queue to buy a ticket?

Running late for a train or not wanting to queue are not acceptable reasons for not having a valid ticket for travel. Give yourself plenty of time to buy the correct ticket for your journey to avoid a fine or prosecution.

What if I leave my Season ticket at home?

If you forget your Season ticket, you will need to purchase a new day ticket for your journey. You can then apply for a refund of the day ticket at the station that issued your season ticket.

If you don’t realise you have forgotten your Season ticket until you are on the train and asked to show it for inspection, you may be reported (or issued a Penalty Fare Notice where such schemes apply).

What if I continue to travel with an old ticket or out of date Season ticket?

It is your responsibility to check that you have a valid ticket for travel. If you are on a journey and realise that you need to extend your journey on the last train to your destination then you need to find a member of staff on the train to tell them this and pay the additional fare.

If you intentionally travel with an out of date ticket then you do not have a valid ticket and you could be reported for train fare evasion or liable to a penalty fare if applicable.

I have been reported for travelling on a train without a valid ticket. What should I do?

If you have been interviewed by a Revenue Protection Officer for travelling without a valid ticket, you will receive a letter from the relevant company and you will have 21 days to respond in writing. This is your opportunity to explain what happened and provide any evidence in support.

If you do not reply to the letter within 21 days, further action will be taken.

If you do reply to the letter within 21 days, your case will be reviewed. There are 3 possible outcomes:

• ’Ceasing of Proceedings’ – no further action is taken
• ’Administrative Settlement’ – settle matters with a fine and possibly a final warning
• ’Prosecution’ – you will be notified that you need to attend the Magistrates Court for a hearing of your case.

I have had a letter from ‘TIL’. Who do I reply to?

If you have received a letter from Transport Investigations Limited (‘TIL’)  in relation to travel on a Transport for Wales train their details should be on the letter, together with information about next steps.

You can write to them at:

Transport Investigations Ltd. 1 Station Approach, March, PE15 8SJ

T: 01354 606 988 E: queries@transportinvestigations.co.uk

At Student Advice we can advise you in train fare evasion matters.

7 Top Tips for Train Travel

• Always buy a ticket as soon as the opportunity is available to you
• Get a receipt or proof of online purchase
• If the ticket office is close or ticket machine broken – report it and record it
• Keep your train ticket in a safe place
• Buy online and/or in advance to save money and have proof of purchase
• Give yourself time to deal with any ticket problems such as queues
• If you are reported for train fare evasion – don’t ignore it! It is important to reply.

You may find that the rules around waste management and disposal vary in Cardiff from your home town. We would strongly encourage you to familiarise yourself with the expectations around rubbish collection, either in University Residences or in your new neighbourhood, to ensure that you do not incur any unexpected fines.

University Residences

All Cardiff University Halls of Residences now have a 6-stream recycling scheme in place in every kitchen. This includes bins for:

• Mixed recycling - clear bags - cardboard, paper, plastic, tins and cans should be deposited in the mixed recycling bins
• Glass – glass should be deposited into the communal glass bin
• General waste – Black bags - non-recyclable materials should be deposited in the communal general waste bins.

Privately Rented and Student Houses

If you are in private rented accommodation in the Cardiff area, you can check your rubbish collection dates on the Cardiff Council’s website. You can also find your waste collection dates on the Cardiff Council App.

Broadly speaking:

• All bins, bags and kerbside caddies must be put out before 6am on the day of collection and no earlier than 4.30pm the day before.
• Collections will take place between 6am and 3.30pm, Tuesday to Friday. 
• Cardiff Council do not collect recycling and waste on a Saturday, Sunday or Monday. 
• You must return your emptied bins and food caddies to your property by 9am the day after collection.

Typically speaking, in Cardiff, there are three types of waste that is regularly collected:

• Recycling bags – Green bags – are collected every week – can contain paper, cardboard, plastics and tins. Currently, glass is also collected in the recycling bags owing to a suspension of glass collections as a result of the pandemic.
• General waste – Black bins, or white and red stripe bags – are collected fortnightly;
• Food waste – food waste caddies – are collected every week – can contain fruit and vegetable peelings, left-overs, egg shells, tea bags and coffee grounds.

Particularly with food waste caddies and black bin bags you must remember to bring your bin back in after the collection. This is to prevent any concern that you have put your bin out on the wrong day, and to prevent you from losing your equipment.

Recycling bags and food waste caddies can be collected from distribution stations across Cardiff. Of note, your Students’ Union (Park Place), and Students’ Union Hub (Heath Park Campus) distribute these waste bags.

If you have a wheelie bin, you need to purchase your own general waste bags. Your general waste bags must be in the wheelie bin in order to be collected. Any bags left to the side of the wheelie bin will not be collated and could incur a fine.  

If you are using red striped general waste bags, these should be delivered to your property twice a year. The council specifically delivers enough bags to allow you to put out three bags per fortnightly collection. The council will not collect general waste in black bags. If you put your general waste out in black bags you could incur a fine.

Cardiff Council does have an app that you can download to try and stay on top of your recycling.

Pink Sticker Scheme

You could receive a pink sticker if the bin collectors have noticed incorrect items in your bin or sack, or if your bin or sack is too heavy to move. In this case, you need to address the issue ahead of the next week’s rubbish collection.

Doing it Wrong?

If you are seen to be depositing waste incorrectly, or on the wrong day, it may be deemed that you are breaching the Environmental Protection Act. This is a prosecutable offence.

If you are deemed to have littered, you may be issued with a fixed penalty notice (FPN). If you pay the fine, the offence will be discharged, therefore you will not be prosecuted.

If you do not pay your FPN, you may be required to respond to the allegation in the Magistrates Court. At this point, you will not be able discharge the offence, and if you are found guilty of littering, you will be prosecuted. This can have implications on your criminal record.

At the Magistrates Court, you will be tried to a criminal standard. Therefore, the court will have to believe that you are guilty of the offence beyond all reasonable doubt.

If you do want to challenge your FPN, we would strongly advise you to seek legal advice. This could be from the Law Society, SpeakEasy or Citizens Advice, among others.

Notice to Obtain Information

In some cases, you may be issued with a Notice to Obtain Information. This is most likely to be issued in cases where it is unclear how the litter may have been distributed.

Importantly, you do need to respond to a Notice to Obtain Information and you are completing the form under caution. If you do not respond to the Notice to Obtain Information, you will be invited to attend an interview, again under caution.

Under caution, we would strongly advise you respond to the questions honestly. Lying under caution is in itself an offence and can carry criminal consequences of its own.

If you abstain from the Notice to Obtain Information, and do not attend your interview under caution, you may be taken to the Magistrates court, and legally speaking, you can even be arrested.

Once you have completed the Notice to Obtain information, or attended your interview, you will need to await next steps. The following actions may be taken depending on the outcome of the enquiry and the nature of the offence:

• No further action;
• Education and engagement;
• You may be served a section 46 notice on the property (a waste collection authority may by notice require occupiers of premises to present their household waste for collection in a specified way);
• You may be issued a Fixed Penalty Notice to discharge liability from prosecution; where a fixed penalty notice remains unpaid, the case is likely to progress to prosecution.

Recycling Centres

If you need to dispose of household items that are not collected by the Council, you may be able to visit a Recycling Centre. Recycling Centres are free for Cardiff residents to use.

Find out more about the local Recycling Centres here.

Donating Items

As an alternative to recycling centres, if you are disposing of functional household items, or clothing, you may be able to offer them to a local charity. Cardiff has a number of charity shops which may be willing to accept your donation.

If you are donating items to a charity shop, make sure that they are clean and that the charity shop is willing and able to accept the donation.

You may also be able to donate clothes through a Clothing Bank, or via websites such as Collect my Clothes.

Contact Student Advice

Advice@cardiff.ac.uk
+44 (0)2920 781410

We appreciate that study spaces are particularly important to our students; here are a couple of study spaces available to you that might get you out of your bedroom: