Caught shortfaring from Upminster to Basildon

[Moski]

Hi, I've run into a bit of a problem and need advice.

I bought two monthly tickets from Laindon to Basildon on my c2c smart card but I actually come from Upminster station.

Recently, I was stopped by two officers who informed me that they caught me multiple times on CCTV. They read me my rights, took my details, and said a letter would be sent to me.

I know what I did was wrong, but I was low on money and had to get to work. I wasn't going to keep doing it, just until I got back on my feet.

The officers were nice, but I want some advice and information on what will happen and what I can do to get through this situation. I'm happy to pay the fine, but I'm worried about any further action. This is my first time in this situation, and I don't know what to expect.

 

[yorkie]

They may offer you the chance to pay an out of court settlement (this isn't a fine in a legal sense but it may feel like one!) however it's possible the company may seek to prosecute you, which would result in a fine and a criminal record.

I'd wait for the letter; if offered the chance to settle, I'd take it if I were you.

If you are not offered the chance to settle the matter out of court, then you could contact them and offer to do that; it would be up to the company to state how much they require and for you and them to agree a suitable sum.

It's worth noting that reaching a settlement benefits you (no criminal record) and also benefits the company (they get to keep 100% of the settlement and it avoids legal costs).

If you are convicted, you'd not only need to pay the fine but also the fare and costs.

Depending on your income, a conviction may cost you less (as this would be means tested) than a settlement, but a criminal record may be damaging for your current or future career, so a settlement may be the best outcome.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi, I've run into a bit of a problem and need advice.

I bought two monthly tickets from Laindon to Basildon on my c2c smart card but I actually come from Upminster station.

Recently, I was stopped by two officers who informed me that they caught me multiple times on CCTV. They read me my rights, took my details, and said a letter would be sent to me.

I know what I did was wrong, but I was low on money and had to get to work. I wasn't going to keep doing it, just until I got back on my feet.

The officers were nice, but I want some advice and information on what will happen and what I can do to get through this situation. I'm happy to pay the fine, but I'm worried about any further action. This is my first time in this situation, and I don't know what to expect.

when you get the letter they mentioned, you can upload a copy with your personal details / ref numbers etc blanked out and people will be able to give you advice specific to the situation they are accusing you of. So head back here when that happens if you think that will help.

In the mean time take steps to make sure that your ticket buying is completely correct, or otherwise they will think you have not learned a lesson and changed your behavior, which reduces the chance of them settleing out of court.

 

[Moski]

when you get the letter they mentioned, you can upload a copy with your personal details / ref numbers etc blanked out and people will be able to give you advice specific to the situation they are accusing you of. So head back here when that happens if you think that will help.

In the mean time take steps to make sure that your ticket buying is completely correct, or otherwise they will think you have not learned a lesson and changed your behavior, which reduces the chance of them settleing out of court.

Thank you for the info currently I don’t have enough money to buy a new tick and need to wait till the end of the month to get a new one is there any way I can still use this ticket

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Mar 2023 ==

when you get the letter they mentioned, you can upload a copy with your personal details / ref numbers etc blanked out and people will be able to give you advice specific to the situation they are accusing you of. So head back here when that happens if you think that will help.

In the mean time take steps to make sure that your ticket buying is completely correct, or otherwise they will think you have not learned a lesson and changed your behavior, which reduces the chance of them settleing out of court.

Thank you so much for the information I appreciate it

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Mar 2023 ==

They may offer you the chance to pay an out of court settlement (this isn't a fine in a legal sense but it may feel like one!) however it's possible the company may seek to prosecute you, which would result in a fine and a criminal record.

I'd wait for the letter; if offered the chance to settle, I'd take it if I were you.

If you are not offered the chance to settle the matter out of court, then you could contact them and offer to do that; it would be up to the company to state how much they require and for you and them to agree a suitable sum.

It's worth noting that reaching a settlement benefits you (no criminal record) and also benefits the company (they get to keep 100% of the settlement and it avoids legal costs).

If you are convicted, you'd not only need to pay the fine but also the fare and costs.

Depending on your income, a conviction may cost you less (as this would be means tested) than a settlement, but a criminal record may be damaging for your current or future career, so a settlement may be the best outcome.At this moment

They may offer you the chance to pay an out of court settlement (this isn't a fine in a legal sense but it may feel like one!) however it's possible the company may seek to prosecute you, which would result in a fine and a criminal record.

I'd wait for the letter; if offered the chance to settle, I'd take it if I were you.

If you are not offered the chance to settle the matter out of court, then you could contact them and offer to do that; it would be up to the company to state how much they require and for you and them to agree a suitable sum.

It's worth noting that reaching a settlement benefits you (no criminal record) and also benefits the company (they get to keep 100% of the settlement and it avoids legal costs).

If you are convicted, you'd not only need to pay the fine but also the fare and costs.

Depending on your income, a conviction may cost you less (as this would be means tested) than a settlement, but a criminal record may be damaging for your current or future career, so a settlement may be the best outcome.

so I still have the laindon to Basildon tickets and I don’t have enough money to buy a new one I have to wait till the end of the month for my paycheque so I can afford a new one is there any way I can still use this ticket with out getting into any more trouble

 

[Wolfie]

Thank you for the info currently I don’t have enough money to buy a new tick and need to wait till the end of the month to get a new one is there any way I can still use this ticket

Assuming that they didn't seize your smart card, which is slightly surprising, you still have a ticket valid for part of the journey. You can use that and pay for that part of the journey for which you don't have a valid ticket.

If, and l sincerely hope that you are not, you are asking if you can continue short-faring for the remaining validity of the ticket that you have after having already being caught, and comments made suggesting that you have been monitored/observed for some time, then all l can say is that you would be guaranteeing prosecution and likely a criminal record.

 

[Moski]

Assuming that they didn't seize your smart card, which is slightly surprising, you still have a ticket valid for part of the journey. You can use that and pay for that part of the journey for which you don't have a valid ticket.

If, and l sincerely hope that you are not, you are asking if you can continue short-faring for the remaining validity of the ticket that you have after having already being caught, and comments made suggesting that you have been monitored/observed for some time, then all l can say is that you would be guaranteeing prosecution and likely a criminal record.

I get what your saying and that’s the thing I don’t have enough money to buy a brand new ticket for the smart card the only ticket I have is the one I was in trouble for. I can only buy a new ticket on the 1st when I get paid is there anything i can do that will still let me get to work and not get me into anymore trouble

 

[MikeWh]

I get what your saying and that’s the thing I don’t have enough money to buy a brand new ticket for the smart card the only ticket I have is the one I was in trouble for. I can only buy a new ticket on the 1st when I get paid is there anything i can do that will still let me get to work and not get me into anymore trouble

You'll need to try and borrow money from somewhere.

 

[AlterEgo]

I get what your saying and that’s the thing I don’t have enough money to buy a brand new ticket for the smart card the only ticket I have is the one I was in trouble for. I can only buy a new ticket on the 1st when I get paid is there anything i can do that will still let me get to work and not get me into anymore trouble

You need to pay for your ticket, if this episode hasn’t taught you that already. Not being able to afford the fare isn’t a defence or excuse, so you will need to buy the correct fare for the missing part of the journey. This may mean taking on extra work, or borrowing money.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Assuming that they didn't seize your smart card, which is slightly surprising, you still have a ticket valid for part of the journey. You can use that and pay for that part of the journey for which you don't have a valid ticket.

If, and l sincerely hope that you are not, you are asking if you can continue short-faring for the remaining validity of the ticket that you have after having already being caught, and comments made suggesting that you have been monitored/observed for some time, then all l can say is that you would be guaranteeing prosecution and likely a criminal record.

The beauty of Smartcards is that the tickets can be invalidated remotely.

 

[Moski]

I got a bike that I can borrow till the end of the month will it be ok if I ride to laindon and tap in that way and get to Basildon like that in the end I’m not skipping anything will that be fine for the time being . I’m sorry I just never use c2c and what did was foolish and im embarrassed on what stupid actions I took

 

[WesternLancer]

I get what your saying and that’s the thing I don’t have enough money to buy a brand new ticket for the smart card the only ticket I have is the one I was in trouble for. I can only buy a new ticket on the 1st when I get paid is there anything i can do that will still let me get to work and not get me into anymore trouble

To be clear you need a completely valid ticket for the whole journey you are seeking to make, every time. This is surely clear to you. If your smartcard is valid still for part of the journey you can buy an 'add on ticket' for the remaining bit.

Otherwise the options would seem to me to be:
- move to live closer to your work (shorter journey / cheaper fare)
- change jobs to one nearer where you currently live
- walk or cycle to work or use some other cheaper method to get there that you can afford.

Edit - or cycle part of the way as you suggest in your recent post.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

I got a bike that I can borrow till the end of the month will it be ok if I ride to laindon and tap in that way and get to Basildon like that in the end I’m not skipping anything will that be fine for the time being

Google maps says that Laindon to Basildon is 1.8 miles which will take about 10 minutes to cycle, and that there's a train every thirty minutes.

Given that it's not clear whether your Laindon - Basildon ticket will still be valid, that the trains aren't incredibly frequent and it's not really very far, it's probably easier once you've cycled from Upminster to Laindon to keep going on the bike to your final destination in Basildon.

 

[Moski]

Google maps says that Laindon to Basildon is 1.8 miles which will take about 10 minutes to cycle, and that there's a train every thirty minutes.

Given that it's not clear whether your Laindon - Basildon ticket will still be valid, that the trains aren't incredibly frequent and it's not really very far, it's probably easier once you've cycled from Upminster to Laindon to keep going on the bike to your final destination in Basildon.

True I’ll probably do that and just to say I’m truly thankful for all the help and advise everyone has given me I made a stupid decision and I’ll have to deal with it but appreciate you guys helping me out hopefully I can end this with a settlement

 

[WesternLancer]

Google maps says that Laindon to Basildon is 1.8 miles which will take about 10 minutes to cycle, and that there's a train every thirty minutes.

Given that it's not clear whether your Laindon - Basildon ticket will still be valid, that the trains aren't incredibly frequent and it's not really very far, it's probably easier once you've cycled from Upminster to Laindon to keep going on the bike to your final destination in Basildon.

Despite what has happened, the OP can presumably go to the ticket office and speak to staff to ask if they still have a valid ticket for that final part of the journey that is available to use, or if it has been cancelled as a result of the fare evasion - then they have the option to cycle all or part of the way. I see Upminster to Laindon is about 10 miles - maybe a bit more by the best / quieter roads to cycle on (eg not using the A127 dual carriageway).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Mar 2023 ==

True I’ll probably do that and just to say I’m truly thankful for all the help and advise everyone has given me I made a stupid decision and I’ll have to deal with it but appreciate you guys helping me out hopefully I can end this with a settlement

and of course head back here for more help when you get the letter from the railway company.

 

[Wolfie]

The beauty of Smartcards is that the tickets can be invalidated remotely.

Of course and it isn't needed for evidence either. Would touching the card on a ticket machine show if that had been done.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Mar 2023 ==

To be clear you need a completely valid ticket for the whole journey you are seeking to make, every time. This is surely clear to you. If your smartcard is valid still for part of the journey you can buy an 'add on ticket' for the remaining bit.

Otherwise the options would seem to me to be:
- move to live closer to your work (shorter journey / cheaper fare)
- change jobs to one nearer where you currently live
- walk or cycle to work or use some other cheaper method to get there that you can afford.

Edit - or cycle part of the way as you suggest in your recent post.

Your first para more clearly makes the point that l was trying to get over.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Mar 2023 ==

I got a bike that I can borrow till the end of the month will it be ok if I ride to laindon and tap in that way and get to Basildon like that in the end I’m not skipping anything will that be fine for the time being . I’m sorry I just never use c2c and what did was foolish and im embarrassed on what stupid actions I took

You do need to realise that if settlement is possible, which isn't a given, it is likely to cost you a seriously substantial sum. The magnitude of that sum (and very possibly the likelihood of settlement) will depend on how long you had been doing it.

 

[Moski]

Of course and it isn't needed for evidence either. Would touching the card on a ticket machine show if that had been done.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Mar 2023 ==


Your first para more clearly makes the point that l was trying to get over.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Mar 2023 ==


You do need to realise that if settlement is possible, which isn't a given, it is likely to cost you a seriously substantial sum. The magnitude of that sum (and very possibly the likelihood of settlement) will depend on how long you had been doing it.

It bought 2 monthly tickets so a month and a half

 

[Wallsendmag]

Yes if you touch on a TVM or use the NRE Smartcard manager app it’ll tell you the status of the card/product

 

[Wolfie]

Yes if you touch on a TVM or use the NRE Smartcard manager app it’ll tell you the status of the card/product

TY