Unpaid fare. :(

[Ladyb223]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone could explain this process better for me.

Basically last month I was in a rush to get to work (I'm a flight attendant) and i jumped on the train from warrington to Manchester Oxford road I didn't purchase the ticket prior to travel as the train was in whilst I was running to the platform (I assumed I'd be given the opportunity to do so onboard) no inspector to be found. I then got off at Oxford road and travelled on to picadilly I then STUPIDLY purchased a ticket from Oxford road to picadilly. I got question by inspector told him the full truth (my original starting point) i received a letter today from northern rail that they are giving me an opportunity to explain myself I've Been honest and truthful about the events and noted I am willing to pay fines administrative fees etc.

I am just wondering if this will be a criminal record? You don't understand how in despair I am, given I should of purchased a ticket I know I'm on a seasonal contract and my money isn't great I spend £200+ a month on trains and tried to get off easily.

I'm just so worried that I'm gonna lose my job, I am not asking for any sympathy I just would like to know.

Thanks

 

[CheesyChips]

Have you sent your reply back to Northern yet? If so did you openly admit to trying to defraud the railway?

There are a lot of experts who will reply after me so you'll get more specific advice from them. Being honest will more than likely be the best thing to do, along with acknowledging that you caused a loss to the company.

 

[najaB]

I'm just so worried that I'm gonna lose my job, I am not asking for any sympathy I just would like to know.

Good, because you won't get any here.

Okay, you will get some because you seem to realise that it was a stupid thing to do.

I received a letter today from northern rail that they are giving me an opportunity to explain myself I've Been honest and truthful about the events and noted I am willing to pay fines administrative fees etc.

My advice in this type of situation is to ensure that in your reply you:

• Take responsibility for your actions - don't attempt to make excuses or blame anyone else. Your post here shows that you are already taking this attitude.
• Show that you understand that short-faring costs them money and increases fares for other passengers.
• Demonstrate that you have learned your lesson and will definitely ensure you have your ticket before boarding in future.
• Want to settle the matter quickly and in a straightforward manner without having to involve the Court, and that you are willing to help defray the costs they have incurred so far.

I am just wondering if this will be a criminal record? You don't understand how in despair I am, given I should of purchased a ticket I know I'm on a seasonal contract and my money isn't great I spend £200+ a month on trains and tried to get off easily.

Northern tend to be more likely to accept an out of court settlement than some other TOCs - typically they deal with first offences by way of an £80 fixed settlement. If they make this offer to you it will completely settle the matter and won't leave any mark on your record.

 

[SussexMan]

If they make this offer to you it will completely settle the matter and won't leave any mark on your record.

To clarify, I think what najaB meant to say was more along the lines of:

If they make this offer to you it will completely settle the matter and won't leave any mark on your criminal record but will leave a mark on your record with Northern Rail who would probably take a different approach should you travel without a valid ticket in the future.

 

[najaB]

To clarify, I think what najaB meant to say was more along the lines of:

Indeed - I was only referring to the OP's criminal record. Thanks for the correction.

 

[steve a]

i jumped on the train from warrington to Manchester Oxford road I didn't purchase the ticket prior to travel as the train was in whilst I was running to the platform (I assumed I'd be given the opportunity to do so onboard) no inspector to be found.

1) How did you know the train was in before you passed the ticket office? You can't see what's in the platforms until you get to the bottom of the stairs.

2) The guard is usually at the back of one of the units and has to open the doors at stations - easy to find if you try. It's easy to get a ticket off the guard as most of the stations on that line are unstaffed.

 

[sheff1]

1) How did you know the train was in before you passed the ticket office? You can't see what's in the platforms until you get to the bottom of the stairs.

Not at all relevant to the question asked by the OP, but I will reply anyway. If you are entering the station from the north you can see the train arriving from Liverpool across the bridge and easily run up and catch it. I have done so myself more than once (already in possession of a ticket naturally)

 

[gray1404]

The best bet here is that you write back admitting your mistake and saying that you are truly sorry. You should offer to settle out of court and cover any of their costs. People on here can have a look at your letter before you send it. The best bet here is that Northern send you one of their £80 admin fees plus the fare. Which TOC did you travel with?

 

[yorkie]

I am just wondering if this will be a criminal record?

If Northern prosecute you, then yes it probably would. But they are likely to agree to settle the matter of out court. This might potentially be for as little as £80 (as mentioned above) however depending on the evidence Northern have gathered and their current workload, it could be a lot more.

... I spend £200+ a month on trains and tried to get off easily.

For future reference, a Season for a calendar month is £160.90 and you can add a few days to make it last 5 weeks (aim to finish the Season on the last day of work before a weekend/break), so unless you are referring to journeys other than Warrington-Manchester (and intermediate stations), there is no need to spend £200 month.

 

[steve a]

Not at all relevant to the question asked by the OP, but I will reply anyway. If you are entering the station from the north you can see the train arriving from Liverpool across the bridge and easily run up and catch it. I have done so myself more than once (already in possession of a ticket naturally)

If you can see it arrive from outside the station, it's usually gone by the time you reach the platform, unless your're Linford Christie.

 

[yorkie]

If you can see it arrive from outside the station, it's usually gone by the time you reach the platform, unless your're Linford Christie.

I'm not so sure about that. The distance to walk to the eastbound platform isn't far at all. With a typical station dwell time and a brisk walk, I think it's very possible to make it.

But, really, none of this is of any relevance to the OP's situation.

 

[Stigy]

As has been said, just reply to them accordingly. If Northern do chose to prosecute it'll be a relatively easy case on their part as (I'm assuming) the act of paying for a lesser fare was deliberate, and you admitted this at the time?