Ticket Irregularity Report

[zyndosu]

Hello everyone,

Please kindly advise me. I was travelling from Smithybridge to Ashton under lyne. I didn’t have enough money on me, so one of my colleagues paid my fare to Manchester victoria. I told her I would be able to pay from victoria to Ashton. Unfortunately, after getting to Manchester Victoria, I saw the train to Ashton had been cancelled..

I had to look for another option (I had an interview by 9.30) and then realized I could go to Manchester Oxford and get a train to my destination from there. I hurried into the TPExpress going to Manchester Oxford all the while messaging with my husband who had some money on him to buy the 3 pounds ticket there. I had only 2.50 on me. It took a while and we had almost gotten to our stop when he sent the ticket.

The train started at 0840, I got the ticket 0844. The ticketing officer asked why I got the ticket on train and then went further to request for my previous ticket from Smithy bridge, I know it sounds so dodgy now, but I honestly couldn’t even think of where it was. As soon as I had alighted they train, I’d probably thrown it away because I know the next ticket I purchased would be used. Infact, in my hurry to join the train, I left behind my backpack containing my international passport and BRP.

I was issued a ticket irregularity report, as the officer said I needed to explain why I didn’t present the ticket from SmithyBridge, and why I bought the other ticket on the moving train.
I’ve never been in this situation before, I’m terribly scared. I don’t know if they would take me to court based on this. I don’t know what to currently appeal when the letter comes, I honestly regret everything that happened because I eventually missed the interview.

I have chats between my husband and I requesting for him to hurriedly pay the money before the train started. The network or something must have interfered.

Please advice

 

[Gloster]

If you were given any paperwork, please post it in this thread so that the experts know what is happening. Please obscure your name, address and any identifying details, such as reference numbers, when you do so.

 

[zyndosu]

Thank you for your reply. This was what I was issued.

 

[furlong]

Did you get back your backpack? Or recover the first ticket? If not, can you get evidence of it from your friend (plus evidence ot their own ticket).

 

[zyndosu]

I got my backpack the security at Manchester Victoria found and kept it. I’ve called my friend to ask for her ticket, but she doesn’t have it anymore. Also, used coins to pay.

At this point, I’m almost thinking of admitting to not buying the first ticket, because I have no proof to show I did

 

[WesternLancer]

I got my backpack the security at Manchester Victoria found and kept it. I’ve called my friend to ask for her ticket, but she doesn’t have it anymore. Also, used coins to pay.

At this point, I’m almost thinking of admitting to not buying the first ticket, because I have no proof to show I did

I think you need to wait for them to write to you. Do not tell them anything until they write to you.

Then when you hear from them people hear can help advise you on what best to write in reply in order to get the best (or least worst) outcome from what sounds like an unfortunate sequence of events.

Sorry to hear of the problem you had.

 

[island]

I was travelling from Smithybridge to Ashton under lyne. I didn’t have enough money on me, so one of my colleagues paid my fare to Manchester victoria.

Also, used coins to pay.

The only ticket facilities at Smithy Bridge are a card only ticket machine.

The fare from Smithy Bridge to Ashton under Lyne is (at most) 90p more than the fare to Manchester Victoria. You would pay almost double by buying separate tickets.

I put it to you that you haven't been entirely truthful. Did you actually have any tickets at all?

 

[zyndosu]

I had tickets.


And it may seem like you didn’t understand what I said. There is no straight train from Smuthy bridge to Ashton. You get to Man Victoria, then take stalybridge to Ashton. I got to Victoria and realized the train to Ashton was cancelled. I always buy separate tickets.

That was why I opted to go to Manchester Oxford, so I could take the train going to guide bridge.

 

[island]

I had tickets.


And it may seem like you didn’t understand what I said. There is no straight train from Smuthy bridge to Ashton. You get to Man Victoria, then take stalybridge to Ashton. I got to Victoria and realized the train to Ashton was cancelled. I always buy separate tickets.

That was why I opted to go to Manchester Oxford, so I could take the train going to guide bridge.

You said you paid for your ticket with coins, but there is no facility to pay with coins at Smithy Bridge.

It makes no sense to buy separate tickets for that journey as you'll end up paying over £4 more than you need to.

 

[zyndosu]

Yes, I did say she paid with coins. If you say it’s not, then I’ll definitely get proof from her statement of account.

No, please check the fares on Trainline.

Edit. I just checked. Buying a full one would save me 2pounds. It got costlier recently. Straight ticket was formerly 7.20, while I gained 20p if I splitted.. I think. I had always bought separate tickets. First to victoria and then to Ashton.

 

[Haywain]

There is no straight train from Smuthy bridge to Ashton. You get to Man Victoria, then take stalybridge to Ashton.

There may not be a direct train, but you can buy tickets which cover the whole journey across both trains.

 

[AlterEgo]

Yes, I did say she paid with coins. If you say it’s not, then I’ll definitely get proof from her statement of account.

But she can't have paid with coins, this is the point. You said she did, and claim that as a result you have no proof. So it is unclear what exactly has gone on here.

No, please check the fares on Trainline.

Trainline does not suggest splitting fares. What you are doing, by apparently buying two separate tickets, is costing you more money.

Regardless of all this, you had no ticket when you boarded the second train and you thereby committed an offence. You will just have to wait for the company to contact you and come back here for more advice when they do - but you will need to get your story straight!

 

[island]

No, please check the fares on Trainline.

I don't use Trainline so I don't have any intention of doing that.

The single fares at the ticket machine are:

• Smithy Bridge to Manchester CTLZ £7.30
• Manchester Stns to Ashton UL £5
• Smithy Bridge to Ashton UL £8.20 peak or £7.80 off-peak

By buying separate tickets you waste £4.10 or more. A similar argument with different amounts applies for return journeys.

I mention this not to be pedantic about ticket prices, but to point out that it's so irrational to do this that the train company might well come to the conclusion that you're doing something odd to skip part of the fare.

 

[Haywain]

Smithy Bridge to Manchester CTLZ £7.30

Wouldn’t that be valid to to Piccadilly?

 

[zyndosu]

I understand you.
However, I think you got the wrong fares
SmithyBridge to Manchester Victoria is 4.20 (before it was increased, it was 3.40… and that was when I started buying separate)
SmithyBridge to Ashton UL is 7.80 off peak. This may be because I rarely take the train, so I probably don’t know enough.

I really understand you, and I’m not arguing it at all. I’m just trying to explain why I buy separately. If they try to investigate, they ll see that I’ve always bought it that way.

 

[island]

Wouldn’t that be valid to to Piccadilly?

It would be valid to Piccadilly, Victoria, Deansgate, or Oxford Road, but I'm not sure where you're going with that.

SmithyBridge to Manchester Victoria is 4.20 (before it was increased, it was 3.40… and that was when I started buying separate)

£4.20 is the price of an advance ticket which is limited in availability and tied to a specific train. Even so, it's still more expensive to buy that and the £5 Manchester to AshtonUL ticket than a through ticket.

 

[Haywain]

It would be valid to Piccadilly, Victoria, Deansgate, or Oxford Road, but I'm not sure where you're going with that.

The OP had a ticket to Victoria, and then travelled to Piccadilly, where they were reported for not presenting a valid ticket (or a ticket bought before boarding, it’s not entirely clear). There is a question as to whether a valid ticket was held without realising. Or am I missing something?

 

[zyndosu]

It’s very available. It’s always available. Thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Jun 2024 ==

I had a ticket to Victoria, I was travelling to Oxford where I was stopped for purchasing ticket onboard. Then he asked for prior tickets id used before getting into the Oxford train. (The ticket to victoria) but I didn’t have it with me anymore…

That was why I was given the irregularity report, I didn’t have the ticket to victoria. Plus my offense the obvious offense of buying while onboard

 

[island]

The OP had a ticket to Victoria, and then travelled to Piccadilly, where they were reported for not presenting a valid ticket (or a ticket bought before boarding, it’s not entirely clear). There is a question as to whether a valid ticket was held without realising. Or am I missing something?

The OP claims to have lost or thrown away the alleged ticket from Smithy Bridge to Manchester.

Even if they had not, they say the ticket was an advance, and the only advance fares on that route are Northern only, so would not have been valid on a TPE service.

I know it sounds so dodgy now, but I honestly couldn’t even think of where it was. As soon as I had alighted the train, I’d probably thrown it away because I know the next ticket I purchased would be used.

 

[zyndosu]

It was not a TPE service it was northern. TPE rarely stops at SmithyBridge. The TPE I took was from Man Vic to Oxford

 

[AlterEgo]

It was not a TPE service it was northern. TPE rarely stops at SmithyBridge. The TPE I took was from Man Vic to Oxford

That is exactly what is being said.

 

[Pushpit]

It’s very available. It’s always available. Thank you

Just to clarify, since it's not clear whether you have worked this out. Yes the £4.20 ticket is for sale on all those trains, but it is still marketed as an Advance ticket, which is specific to one Northern train service only. If you bought the Advance ticket, it may only be used on that service and no other, even though the next train a few minutes later costs the precise same fare. So if you bought a ticket for the 10:05 train, it cannot be used on the 10:33 train. And it certainly can't be used on a TPE train. The first problem for you is that you bought a ticket after boarding the TPE train, not before boarding. Buying after departure is considered an offence, it is against the byelaws to do this. The second problem is that the ticket you did buy was an Advance and thus only valid on a specific Northern service as purchased. Put the two factors together and you can see why the inspector asked these questions.

When TPE writes to you you need to respond to the questions they ask, it may lead to an out of court settlement. In the mean time there is little you can do except perhaps draft a letter in preparation for TPE's communication. If you want the draft checked, by all means put it here, but because it's possible TPE will word the letter in an unexpected way, it's better to wait for that letter from TPE.

 

[zyndosu]

Thank you very much.

I’ll tell you honestly, that I just got to understand what advance means. And thank you for your patience.

I’ll wait for their letter and post along with my draft when it comes

Just to clarify, since it's not clear whether you have worked this out. Yes the £4.20 ticket is for sale on all those trains, but it is still marketed as an Advance ticket, which is specific to one Northern train service only. If you bought the Advance ticket, it may only be used on that service and no other, even though the next train a few minutes later costs the precise same fare. So if you bought a ticket for the 10:05 train, it cannot be used on the 10:33 train. And it certainly can't be used on a TPE train. The first problem for you is that you bought a ticket after boarding the TPE train, not before boarding. Buying after departure is considered an offence, it is against the byelaws to do this. The second problem is that the ticket you did buy was an Advance and thus only valid on a specific Northern service as purchased. Put the two factors together and you can see why the inspector asked these questions.

When TPE writes to you you need to respond to the questions they ask, it may lead to an out of court settlement. In the mean time there is little you can do except perhaps draft a letter in preparation for TPE's communication. If you want the draft checked, by all means put it here, but because it's possible TPE will word the letter in an unexpected way, it's better to wait for that letter from TPE.

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[JBuchananGB]

There is something not right here. The OP's intention was to travel from Smithy Bridge to Aston-under-Lyne. A colleague paid for a ticket from Smithy Bridge to Manchester Victoria (MCV), which the OP lost at Victoria. This implies that the ticket was a paper ticket. The OP said this was paid for with cash. But the TVM at Smithy Bridge allegedly is card-only. How was this ticket purchased? Was it bought by the colleague at the TVM at the time of travel? Will the TVM actually sell the £4.20 advance single for next train due to arrive?
On arrival at Victoria the OP discovered that her intended train to Ashton had been cancelled. Presumably the 08.52. She had no ticket to Ashton or anywhere else and no money with which to buy one. A ticket to Ashton from MCV would have cost £5. There are no ticket barriers at Ashton.
For some reason she hastily boarded a TPE train heading in the opposite direction (i.e. away from Ashton) (so hastily that she left her backpack at Victoria), and turned up at Manchester Piccadilly with a ticket which had been emailed to her enroute between Victoria and Piccadilly. She does not say what that ticket was, i.e from where to where, or how she eventually made it to Ashton.
Probably the best outcome would be, after receiving the letter from TPE, to apologise for travelling from Smithy Bridge to Manchester Piccadilly without a proper ticket and hope that TPE will offer an out of court settlement. Fare of £7.30 plus administration fee.
As has been already mentioned, a through ticket from Smithy Bridge to Ashton would have cost £8.20, and would, if Northern's web site is to be believed, have been valid on the 8.32 MCV to Stalybridge with double back to Ashton!

 

[zyndosu]

Ahhh… I think I’ll just wait for the letter at this point.

Thank you all

 

[AlterEgo]

Ahhh… I think I’ll just wait for the letter at this point.

Thank you all

Yes, and you need to get your story straight, because nothing here adds up and the train company are going to smell that as well.

 

[skyhigh]

But the TVM at Smithy Bridge allegedly is card-only.

There is nothing 'alleged' about it. It is definitely 100% card only.

Will the TVM actually sell the £4.20 advance single for next train due to arrive?

Yes, they sell Advance tickets.

 

[JBuchananGB]

Thank you clarifying the capabilities of the TVM at Smithy Bridge. I did not know as I have not been there. I have been to Ashton so I know there are no barriers. So a journey could be made from Smithy Bridge to Ashton holding nothing but an Advance Single from there to Manchester.

 

[jamiearmley]

Thank you clarifying the capabilities of the TVM at Smithy Bridge. I did not know as I have not been there. I have been to Ashton so I know there are no barriers. So a journey could be made from Smithy Bridge to Ashton holding nothing but an Advance Single from there to Manchester.

A journey could be made from Smithy Bridge to Ashton holding no ticket at all.

 

[zyndosu]

Moderator Note - this has been merged with the original thread to keep everything together.

Hello again everyone,

I posted two days ago, but I don’t know, it seem my post has been deleted.

In truth, I lied about some things, I was just scared of being bashed. And I’m sorry.
I’ll be truthful henceforth.

I took the Northern train from Smithybridge to Manchester victoria. Truly, my friend paid from SmithyBridge to Rochdale after which she alighted. She bought tickets for two adults. I continued on the train to Manchester Victoria without paying the fare, hoping if they had stopped me I’ll say I missed my stop. I know, it’s wrong, and I’m honestly sorry.

I was going to take the train from Manchester Victoria to Ashton under Lyne, but the train was cancelled, so I learned about going to Manchester Oxford and getting on a train to Guide bridge. I’d never done this before, I’d never been to the guide bridge station. I just wanted to meet up with my interview for 9.30.

I took the TPE train from Manchester Victoria to Manchester Oxford. Truly, I didn’t have enough to purchase the ticket, I was in contact with my husband to buy and send to me. He tried to do it immediately but somehow it was still delayed such that it got in while the train had taken off.

The ticketing officer stopped me just as we got to Manchester Oxford (I honestly don’t know why I didn’t run out, because I saw him approaching, but I felt my ticket was okay). He realized I got the ticket while the train was already in motion and he asked why. Then he went further to ask how I got into the rail station in the first place.

I told him I’d gotten in at Smithy bridge, he asked for my ticket, but because I knew it only stopped at Rochdale, I said I’d thrown it away. In truth I had, but I could always get proof of purchase from my friend. I just didn’t want him digging into it and seeing I didn’t pay from Rochdale to Manchester Victoria.

As a result of this, he said he wouldn’t be giving me a penalty fare because I can’t provide the northern ticket from Smithy Bridge to Manchester Victoria.

Forgive me for lying in my previous post. I was really scared of being bashed, and even though it’s a faceless forum, it may disturb me. I have received a letter today, and I’ve attached it. I’m yet to draft my response, please kindly advice.

Thank you