Hey guys,
Hoping someone can let me know what I can expect in this situation.
This morning I dropped my car off for repair to a specialist near Reading, over 100 miles from where I live. This mechanic dropped me to the local station to get a train into Reading, to then jump on the Elizabeth Line into London. I saw no ticket machine in this station, which was Aldermaston, although now Ive googled it apparently there is one, but I did not see this at all. I assumed I could buy a ticket on the train, or on arrival in Reading.
When the train arrived in Reading, I made my way to the Elizabeth Line platform, expecting I could tap in as it is all over London using my debit card. Theres no machines on the platform at all, so I boarded the train expecting just to tap out at my final destination in Custom House and that Id be charged for the full length of the line, which is basically what my journey was.
On boarding the train at reading there was a GWR employee sat opposite who I asked, do I need to swipe in or out. He'd asked how I got into the station and I told him I came in on another train. I asked him if I could buy tickets on board and he said he wasnt sure but he thought there was a TFL employee walking around. I thought worst case Id just tap out in Custom House and be charged to travel the whole line.
The ticket inspector came around and I asked to buy a ticket. He informed me that he couldnt sell me one and asked how I got on the train which I told him. He then asked for my driving licence and proceeded to ring on his phone to speak too someone else, giving them all my information. I asked two or three times when he was on the phone what he was doing and he ignored me, so I snatched my licence back off him and asked again. He then informed me he was prosecuting me for fare evasion.
He was annoyed Id taken my licence (which he'd got all the details off already) and told me he told me what he was doing with it, but I dont recall this at all. The situation ended amicably with me apologising for snatching the licence but that he should have been more informative over what was happening. He said I will receive a letter in the post. He issued the below.
If anyone could give me an idea of what's going to happen next and what amount of fine Im looking at Id appreciate it. Its the first time anything like this has happened and it was a mistake, albeit naive about how the line works, but I honestly thought Id be able to swipe out paying for a journey on the whole line as its impossible to leave any tube station without going through gates. Regarding Alveston to Reading, I dont really have an excuse, I just assumed if a guard came around I'd pay.
Hoping someone can let me know what I can expect in this situation.
This morning I dropped my car off for repair to a specialist near Reading, over 100 miles from where I live. This mechanic dropped me to the local station to get a train into Reading, to then jump on the Elizabeth Line into London. I saw no ticket machine in this station, which was Aldermaston, although now Ive googled it apparently there is one, but I did not see this at all. I assumed I could buy a ticket on the train, or on arrival in Reading.
When the train arrived in Reading, I made my way to the Elizabeth Line platform, expecting I could tap in as it is all over London using my debit card. Theres no machines on the platform at all, so I boarded the train expecting just to tap out at my final destination in Custom House and that Id be charged for the full length of the line, which is basically what my journey was.
On boarding the train at reading there was a GWR employee sat opposite who I asked, do I need to swipe in or out. He'd asked how I got into the station and I told him I came in on another train. I asked him if I could buy tickets on board and he said he wasnt sure but he thought there was a TFL employee walking around. I thought worst case Id just tap out in Custom House and be charged to travel the whole line.
The ticket inspector came around and I asked to buy a ticket. He informed me that he couldnt sell me one and asked how I got on the train which I told him. He then asked for my driving licence and proceeded to ring on his phone to speak too someone else, giving them all my information. I asked two or three times when he was on the phone what he was doing and he ignored me, so I snatched my licence back off him and asked again. He then informed me he was prosecuting me for fare evasion.
He was annoyed Id taken my licence (which he'd got all the details off already) and told me he told me what he was doing with it, but I dont recall this at all. The situation ended amicably with me apologising for snatching the licence but that he should have been more informative over what was happening. He said I will receive a letter in the post. He issued the below.
If anyone could give me an idea of what's going to happen next and what amount of fine Im looking at Id appreciate it. Its the first time anything like this has happened and it was a mistake, albeit naive about how the line works, but I honestly thought Id be able to swipe out paying for a journey on the whole line as its impossible to leave any tube station without going through gates. Regarding Alveston to Reading, I dont really have an excuse, I just assumed if a guard came around I'd pay.
