Made a big mistake!! What will be the outcome?

[jgough90]

I was running late for my 07:22 Northern Rail train from Crewe to Oxford Road, Manchester. I arrived at the station with about a minute to spare... I was starting a new job that day at Manchester Metropolitan University (which they can vouch for) so I decided I would buy a ticket on the train to make sure I at least got the train. I know this doesn't justify me not buying one before I got on, I'm just giving you the reasoning behind it.

For the whole journey no ticket collector came through the train and after about 3 stops the train was very busy with a lot of people standing so I couldn't exactly go searching for him either.

A train had then broken down at Stockport which delayed my train for 30 minutes. Which meant when I arrived at Oxford Road I was already 15 minutes late for my induction. I queued at ticket window at Oxford Road for a number of minutes. The the revenue officers guided people to the other side of the station to use the other window. I wasn't asked myself but intended to do the same. The revenue officer thought I was trying to walk off so he then took down my details and said I would receive a letter.

I didn't really have time to give him all the details of my case as I was in such a rush. I basically just told him that I was in massive hurry.

I concede that not buying a ticket at Crewe was wrong but the latter incident was a misunderstanding and a consequence of a delay on their service.

This will be my first ever offence. The officer did say that I 'seemed like a nice bloke and was polite etc...but he had to do it.' Not sure how much bearing that would have anyway ha.

What do you think the letter will say? Fine Prosecution?
Any response would be much appreciated.

 

[Fare-Cop]

I was running late for my 07:22 Northern Rail train from Crewe to Oxford Road, Manchester. I arrived at the station with about a minute to spare... I was starting a new job that day at Manchester Metropolitan University (which they can vouch for) so I decided I would buy a ticket on the train to make sure I at least got the train. I know this doesn't justify me not buying one before I got on, I'm just giving you the reasoning behind it.

For the whole journey no ticket collector came through the train and after about 3 stops the train was very busy with a lot of people standing so I couldn't exactly go searching for him either.

A train had then broken down at Stockport which delayed my train for 30 minutes. Which meant when I arrived at Oxford Road I was already 15 minutes late for my induction. I queued at ticket window at Oxford Road for a number of minutes. The the revenue officers guided people to the other side of the station to use the other window. I wasn't asked myself but intended to do the same. The revenue officer thought I was trying to walk off so he then took down my details and said I would receive a letter.

I didn't really have time to give him all the details of my case as I was in such a rush. I basically just told him that I was in massive hurry.

I concede that not buying a ticket at Crewe was wrong but the latter incident was a misunderstanding and a consequence of a delay on their service.

This will be my first ever offence. The officer did say that I 'seemed like a nice bloke and was polite etc...but he had to do it.' Not sure how much bearing that would have anyway ha.

What do you think the letter will say? Fine Prosecution?
Any response would be much appreciated.

I suggest it will be best for you to await the letter and then if you need help, come back and tell us what the TOC allege you did.

I really do think it would be foolhardy for any of us to try to second guess this kind of thing on a pretty sketchy report of any incident and there's always a chance, no matter how remote, that you don't get a letter at all.

 

[jgough90]

Ok. I'll just wait and see what the letter says. Cheers

 

[rmt4ever]

How did your first day go ?

 

[island]

Although you committed a criminal offence by choosing to join a train at a staffed station without buying a ticket, Northern is normally lenient in not prosecuting first time offenders, although they are generally seeking a financial contribution to their costs of detecting people. In your case I would expect to receive a request for £92.80 to put an end to the matter.

 

[PauloDavesi]

Have any TOC ever given, or indeed been asked to provide, their justification for the cost they claim to have incurred?

 

[Squaddie]

I was starting a new job that day at Manchester Metropolitan University (which they can vouch for)...

Before asking your employer to vouch for you, you might want to consider whether you want them to know (a) that you were running late on your first day at a new job, and (b) that you didn't buy a ticket. Neither gives a great impression.

If you'll be making this journey every day then buying a season ticket might be a sensible idea.

 

[cuccir]

Although you committed a criminal offence by choosing to join a train at a staffed station without buying a ticket, Northern is normally lenient in not prosecuting first time offenders, although they are generally seeking a financial contribution to their costs of detecting people. In your case I would expect to receive a request for £92.80 to put an end to the matter.

Island's post is useful here. Northern have a relatively standard policy with first-time offenders of asking for a set 'penalty fare' of £80 + the fare owed.

Note that this is not guaranteed, particularly if there were any aggravating factors that you've not mentioned, or if you've done this before.

It is likely that you will have to wait several weeks (could be up to three months I think) to hear from Northern.

 

[island]

Have any TOC ever given, or indeed been asked to provide, their justification for the cost they claim to have incurred?

I'm not sure where you're going with this, but a passenger not wishing to pay the administrative fee is more than welcome to defend themselves against the resultant prosecution in court.

 

[Squaddie]

I think the OP's case may be weakened slightly by the fact that there is a later service from Crewe (the 07:27 ATW) that would have got him to Oxford Road before the train he caught (albeit with a change at Piccadilly), thus giving enough time to buy a ticket.

However, given the facts as stated, I think a quick out-of-court settlement is extremely likely.

 

[jon0844]

Might I suggest that on the first day of a new job, you leave a little earlier - not only to have time to buy a ticket but for any delays?

Certainly not a good start for someone under probation for a while (I assume).

 

[Southwest]

Before asking your employer to vouch for you, you might want to consider whether you want them to know (a) that you were running late on your first day at a new job, and (b) that you didn't buy a ticket. Neither gives a great impression.

If you'll be making this journey every day then buying a season ticket might be a sensible idea.

A perfect suggestion, one which the OP should take note of.

 

[jgough90]

Hi everybody, thanks for the initial feedback!!

The job is going fine, it's only a part-time marketing role at MMU whilst I complete my masters at the same University. I told them about the whole train incident actually and they were fine with it. I do now have a season ticket for my regular journey.

I now have the letter from Northern Rail, it just says that, 'I was spoken to by an authorised member of staff in relation to an alleged contravention of railway regulations...' And they would like me to respond with my explanation.

Is there any help you can give me regarding what to include in my response? Any key things to put? Especially regarding wanting to pay an out of court settlement.

Thanks,

Jonny

 

[YorkshireBear]

Well i would explain why you didn't buy a ticket. Don't overstate it though and sound like it is an excuse, just say it don't over do it. Then the bit that is key is explaining that they had guided other people to an alternative window and you followed.

As it your first time i would imagine you can ask for an out of court settlement and that will be the end of the matter.

I am not fantastic at this though so i suggest you wait for someone to either correct me or back me up

 

[ANorthernGuard]

The 07.22 to Salford crescent usually consists of 2x142 so if you were in the front set the guard could not have got to you as there is no Gangway door connections and we are not allowed to "unit hop" due to the the minute chance of accidental division of the units ( I know stupid but those are the rules are bosses say we must follow). However as you went passed an open booking office at Crewe you have clearly broken the railway regs. If I were you I would offer an out of court settlement. Be honest and don't tie yourself up in knots over it.