Freedom Pass misuse

[Ana246]

I've already said much the same as I do here, but you can only know this is true if you never, ever used the Freedom Pass on the bus - TfL might have evidence that they haven't yet told you about. So you should only say that you didn't make journeys if you know that you didn't make them. If it turns out that they can prove that you made some journeys which you say you didn't, you will be in trouble as they won't believe anything else that you say.

So
- if you know that you made a journey that you've been accused of, sign in the box
- if you know that you didn't make a journey, leave the box blank. In your statement, write 'I did not make the journey from <origin> to <destination> on <date>' (using what it says on the table for the journey you didn't make)
- if you aren't sure that you made a journey. leave the box blank. In your statement, write 'I do not know if I made the journey from <origin> to <destination> on <date>' (using what it says on the table for the journey you're not sure about)
- it would be a good idea to type your statement. That way, it'll be easy to read, and you can run off a few copies so that everyone can have one to look at instead of trying to share.

Like I've said, TfL and the court will want to get this over quickly. So if there are two or three journeys that you're not sure about they'll probably let those ones go. But any more than that, and they might think that you're trying it on. So think really hard about whether you know you made a journey or not. If you think that you didn't make it, work out why you think that. Bear in mind that if you start saying you didn't make some of the journeys that look like your normal journey, the court and TfL will want to know what's special about that trip.

Can I also check TFL only submitted me evidence of journeys from Oct 2025 to Nov 2025 the last day I used the pass. Can someone confirm this is exactly what they would’ve submitted in court too or is there a chance they bring up other journeys which may have not been done by me but rightfully so by my dad?

I can 100% confirm not a single bus has journey has ever been done by me using my dad’s pass. I have only used my own cards

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Feb 2026 ==

You haven't shown us the page with the actual charge on it.
You are only pleading guilty or not guilty to ONE charge which will be stated on one of the other pages.

Don't be confused by the list of 51 entries. You MUST attend the court and then on the day, after the main charge has been dealt with (i.e. you pleaded guilty) you tell them which of the 51 you accept were you and which you don't accept (i.e. the bus ones). They then take this into account when sentencing you. (In reality it usually makes little difference to the sentence, but affects how much compensation you are ordered to pay i.e. fares for those journeys). You can mark up the list in advance crossing out the entries that are wrong and adjusting the total figure, or arrive at court early and ask to meet the prosecutor and sort it out beforehand.

(The form they have supplied can only be signed if all the information on it is correct. On previous threads, when information was wrong, TfL told them to sort it out in court on the day. You can of course contact TfL to ask that same question - What do I do when some of the journeys listed were not mine? - and see if you get the same answer.)

Sorry I’m unclear. What do you mean by one charge? Can you tell me which page would show how many charges?

(I’m just wondering me going back to TFL when they are the one charging me would be silly of me. I could use the duty solicitor on the day itself but with time restraints and having to inform them of all details means I’m better off having a solicitor in advance). Would anyone kindly tell me how in advance I need to get in touch with a suitable fare related lawyer?

 

[SuspectUsual]

Sorry I’m unclear. What do you mean by one charge? Can you tell me which page would show how many charges?

The easiest way is probably if you can cover up your name and address, reference numbers etc, take photos of every page and upload them for people to read

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Would anyone kindly tell me how in advance I need to get in touch with a suitable fare related lawyer?

Like anyone else running a business, the lawyer will probably appreciate it if you get in touch with them sooner rather than later. They will need to make sure that they're free to go to court with you - and if they're already booked to be somewhere else, that won't be good.

And don't forget to check how much they will charge you!

 

[WesternLancer]

(I’m just wondering me going back to TFL when they are the one charging me would be silly of me. I could use the duty solicitor on the day itself but with time restraints and having to inform them of all details means I’m better off having a solicitor in advance). Would anyone kindly tell me how in advance I need to get in touch with a suitable fare related lawyer?

I suspect if you upload all of the court papers every page (as asked in post #90 by @furlong ) but with your personal details and ref umbers blanked out then people here might be able to give you enough advice for you t fill them in correctly yourself.

I'm not sure if duty solicitors are available to help with fare evasion cases but someone here might know for sure if that is correct.

If you want a solicitor to help you in court you could be looking at paying the solicitor many hundred pounds / possibly a thousand pounds or more.

If you want a solicitor to help you fill in these court papers in advance you may be able to find one local to you (any solicitor that covers court matters of this sort probably) and go to their office to help with the paperwork - that might be cheaper but could still cost you a few hundred pounds - but you could ask for quotes.

These are solicitors that have been mentioned on the forum in the past in relation to rail fare and TfL prosecutions - if you want to get quotes from them. I have no connection with any of them. There is no harm in ringing them (or any other solicitor for that matter) to see what they would charge

manaksolicitors.co.uk
Fare Evasion Solicitors | Kent & London | Manak Solicitors

Makwanas

Fare Evasion Solicitors London | High Success Rate | TFL Solicitors

www.makwanas.co.uk

http://www.grayhooperholt.co.uk/default.asp?id=30

https://penmansedgwick.com/fare-evasion/

 

[AlterEgo]

The OP won't benefit from a duty solicitor. Those are usually reserved for cases where imprisonment is a potential outcome.

Spending £600-1000 on a solicitor at this stage to save a couple of hundred quid in fares avoided seems like a waste of money to me.

 

[Ana246]

I wouldn’t use a duty solicitor for this but go for a potential fare evasion specialist solicitor which a recommendation from here. It is a lot of money but I would rather have legal support besides to answer all my questions than to face this alone

 

[WesternLancer]

I wouldn’t use a duty solicitor for this but go for a potential fare evasion specialist solicitor which a recommendation from here. It is a lot of money but I would rather have legal support besides to answer all my questions than to face this alone

Obviously you must make an informed choice but I suspect that will be very expensive cost to you.

I would imagine that what will happen in court is mostly you confirming your name and address, you being asked if you did or didn’t use the freedom pass and you potentially being able to explain that you did not use it on any buses.

It will be importantvfor you to have the MC100 form completed if you are not working so the court fine is related to your low income.

 

[Mattplans]

In my personal opinion, the time to engage a solicitor (which itself would have been a risky move as TfL rarely do not proceed to prosecution) would have been to present mitigation so TfL doesn't reach this stage. I don't think it will be money well spent and will just add to the costs you have to eventually repay.

 

[Ana246]

In my personal opinion, the time to engage a solicitor (which itself would have been a risky move as TfL rarely do not proceed to prosecution) would have been to present mitigation so TfL doesn't reach this stage. I don't think it will be money well spent and will just add to the costs you have to eventually repay.

I have just spoken to solicitors and it is ridiculous cost 10 folds more than the fares I owe. Prior to this letter which incorrectly states I have 51 offences I did not have valid mitigation to be able to write in my verification letter.

I am now thinking if I should reach out to TFL or the court to state that out of the 51, none of the bus journeys were done by me and even if they look for evidence they won’t find it as they only suspect this

 

[furlong]

You can ask TfL what to do when only some of the journeys were made by you.
When people asked similar questions in the past they were simply told not to fill in or sign that part of the form and instead to sort it out in court on the day.

As to the main charge, you should see a couple of the pages mentioning a Byelaw (usually number 17) and there'll be a statement about what happened on the day you were caught.

 

[Mattplans]

I am now thinking if I should reach out to TFL or the court to state that out of the 51, none of the bus journeys were done by me and even if they look for evidence they won’t find it as they only suspect this

I would refer you to the advice about risks of lying about this in post #76 - I am not suggesting you are lying, but it is worth reiterating if you are found to be dishonest on one occasion, it will undermine/call into question your truthfulness in other statements you make to the court. That being said, I find it hard to imagine any CCTV of you committing any of the offences alleged still exists to be honest. But TfL - rightly so - does not publicise how long they retain CCTV for. I am not really sure how they would ascertain whether you used the pass on one occasion or not. You say you live in Greenwich and travel into Central London (Holborn and London Bridge iirc) - if the card shows usage on a bus in the Holborn area regularly it may undermine your statement you did not make any of the bus journeys, same with London Bridge. It may further undermine your character if a bus was actually used on the date you were stopped, when you had the card in your possession presumably for the entire day until it was seized.

 

[furlong]

Before going to court, you need to prepare by annotating the list of entries into 3 categories:
1) Journeys you know you made
2) Journeys you know you did not make
3) Journeys where you are not sure if they were you or not

They will then update their list accordingly and calculate (or negotiate with you if appropriate) a new amount of compensation.

 

[Ana246]

I would refer you to the advice about risks of lying about this in post #76 - I am not suggesting you are lying, but it is worth reiterating if you are found to be dishonest on one occasion, it will undermine/call into question your truthfulness in other statements you make to the court. That being said, I find it hard to imagine any CCTV of you committing any of the offences alleged still exists to be honest. But TfL - rightly so - does not publicise how long they retain CCTV for. I am not really sure how they would ascertain whether you used the pass on one occasion or not. You say you live in Greenwich and travel into Central London (Holborn and London Bridge iirc) - if the card shows usage on a bus in the Holborn area regularly it may undermine your statement you did not make any of the bus journeys, same with London Bridge. It may further undermine your character if a bus was actually used on the date you were stopped, when you had the card in your possession presumably for the entire day until it was seized.

I can assure you any buses ive ever taken anywhere have always been on my cards. My cards are registered on TFL and they can compare it themselves to see if I have used any other cards except mine for those dates. What I can prove to them is dates where I used the pass for trains I also used buses to get to my local station using my own cards which can be proved using bank statements & TfL statement

 

[WesternLancer]

I have just spoken to solicitors and it is ridiculous cost 10 folds more than the fares I owe. Prior to this letter which incorrectly states I have 51 offences I did not have valid mitigation to be able to write in my verification letter.

as advised solicitors are not cheap unfortunately

I am now thinking if I should reach out to TFL or the court to state that out of the 51, none of the bus journeys were done by me and even if they look for evidence they won’t find it as they only suspect this

It has been explained how you could do this - which is by annotating the list of journeys to indicate which ones you admit to doing, which ones you are sure you did not do and any you sure unsure of.

Both @Fawkes Cat and @furlong have explained that with good advice on how to do it.

You could send a copy of that list to TfL ahead of the court date if you think that would help, but also have copies of it with you on the day because what you send to them might not make it to the person responsible for dealing with your case in court on the day.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Feb 2026 ==

I can assure you any buses ive ever taken anywhere have always been on my cards. My cards are registered on TFL and they can compare it themselves to see if I have used any other cards except mine for those dates. What I can prove to them is dates where I used the pass for trains I also used buses to get to my local station using my own cards which can be proved using bank statements & TfL statement

Well fill in the details and tell them that then.

They are prosecuting you for the occasion they caught you (which as you admit you are guilty of). AIUI the rest is to obtain the fares you evaded which they consider you owe them.

 

[Ana246]

Okay I suppose I will get in contact with a TfL about the incorrect bus offences but how on earth can I prove it was not me and that it was my dad who used his card for those journeys (rightfully so). On the dates that I took his pass to only use in the evenings, I did use the bus but I used my own cards which I can provide evidence of statements for each date. But for the dates where my dad used his cards how do I prove this was him and not me?

Secondly, the letter (below) for more information for you. They have asked me to sign that box but I do not accept all 51 offences so I will not sign this as of now as it’s inaccurate. Also, I will contact TFL regarding this (I would appreciate if anyone can link the other thread someone mentioned on here where they contacted TFL about the incorrect offences).

Finally, this form states to return it to the lavender hill court I assume that I return this form & the “schedule of offences” with my signature on the day off?

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Okay I suppose I will get in contact with a TfL about the incorrect bus offences but how on earth can I prove it was not me and that it was my dad who used his card for those journeys (rightfully so). On the dates that I took his pass to only use in the evenings, I did use the bus but I used my own cards which I can provide evidence of statements for each date. But for the dates where my dad used his cards how do I prove this was him and not me?

Secondly, the letter (below) for more information for you. They have asked me to sign that box but I do not accept all 51 offences so I will not sign this as of now as it’s inaccurate. Also, I will contact TFL regarding this (I would appreciate if anyone can link the other thread someone mentioned on here where they contacted TFL about the incorrect offences).

For this, before signing the box headed 'Receipt to be signed by the accused', you need to clearly cross out the bit that says 'I accept committing these 51 offences'.
Then you need to explain why you are doing that. My suggestion would be to write something like 'please see attached' under 'Statement the accused may wish to volunteer'. Then on a separate piece of paper, type up your statement explaining which of the 51 offences you do not accept, or you're not sure about. Make sure that your typed statement is headed with your name and address and the court reference and sign it (by hand) at the bottom.

Don't worry about not being able to prove that you didn't make the journeys: as you'll be telling the truth it's for TfL to prove that you aren't right.

Finally, this form states to return it to the lavender hill court I assume that I return this form & the “schedule of offences” with my signature on the day off?

No, it gives the address for the Central Administration Office. So post a copy to them well in advance. But make sure you keep a copy of everything you have sent - ideally three or more copies so that you can give copies to the magistrates and the prosecutor at court, as well as having one yourself - just in case the Central Administration Office lose them.

(Edited to correct typo: '*by hand)' to '(by hand)')

 

[Haywain]

how on earth can I prove it was not me and that it was my dad who used his card for those journeys

You are not being asked to prove anything. How many times does this need to be said?

 

[Spaceship323]

Okay I suppose I will get in contact with a TfL about the incorrect bus offences but how on earth can I prove it was not me and that it was my dad who used his card for those journeys (rightfully so). On the dates that I took his pass to only use in the evenings, I did use the bus but I used my own cards which I can provide evidence of statements for each date. But for the dates where my dad used his cards how do I prove this was him and not me?

You don't need to prove anything, you will swear to tell the truth and the magistrate will accept what you say when asking for other offences to be taken into consideration (as above)

 

[WesternLancer]

Okay I suppose I will get in contact with a TfL about the incorrect bus offences but how on earth can I prove it was not me and that it was my dad who used his card for those journeys (rightfully so). On the dates that I took his pass to only use in the evenings, I did use the bus but I used my own cards which I can provide evidence of statements for each date. But for the dates where my dad used his cards how do I prove this was him and not me?

You are not being asked to prove it.

But if you were asked to prove it, then you could use the sort of evidence you have mentioned here (e.g. paying for bus travel on your bank card) - it supports the statement you make which is under oath to tell the truth as mentioned above.

I don't think it's going to make much difference - they are not giving you 51 separate guilty verdicts one for each bus trip occasion (for example) they think you undertook when you didn't.

 

[Ana246]

Okay thank you all for the advice. I will go ahead and follow what @Fawkes Cat has said here. I will also find the thread where another person contacted TFL regarding the incorrect offences. They may likely resend me another letter taking this into account. I’m also wondering if I should provide TFL evidence of which offences I accept (trains) and which I don’t (buses) or keep that information to myself and to send this to the court?

 

[Fawkes Cat]

I’m also wondering if I should provide TFL evidence of which offences I accept (trains) and which I don’t (buses) or keep that information to myself and to send this to the court?

Explain which ones you are accepting, and which ones you are rejecting. If you don't do that, the court will have you down as someone who doesn't want to co-operate - and that could mean a bigger fine 'to help you learn your lesson '.

 

[Ana246]

You are not being asked to prove it.

But if you were asked to prove it, then you could use the sort of evidence you have mentioned here (e.g. paying for bus travel on your bank card) - it supports the statement you make which is under oath to tell the truth as mentioned above.

I don't think it's going to make much difference - they are not giving you 51 separate guilty verdicts one for each bus trip occasion (for example) they think you undertook when you didn't.

It appears they are giving me 51 separate verdicts since they asked me to sign for the ones that may be mine because it states “please sign all boxes in the schedule containing the offences to be taken into consideration” to give you an example there’s up to 51 of these where I’ve calculated 24 are mine (all trains of course)

 

[reb0118]

Right, for whatever reason the OP still seems to be a bit confused.

To the OP, you are only being charged with one offence, let's say that again - only one offence. That offence is for the time you were actually caught using the Freedom Pass.

The other offences, which you are not being charged with, can be taken into consideration when sentencing you for the one charge you are admitting to.

This benefits you as it stops any further prosecution for these offences - in theory TfL could prosecute you separately for each offence . This benefits TfL as it means they can claim compensation from you for the fares avoided, and saves them time & money prosecuting for each separate offence.

Does the above make sense to you? Do you require any more clarification?

Now, to the crux of the matter, the additional offences that are to be taken into consideration. As mentioned above, these will fall into three categories. Those you accept, those you reject (basically the bus journeys + ono or two rail journeys), and those that you are unsure about. Simply note on the form against each entry listing these offences which of the three options applies. Either accept, reject, or mark as unsure. You do not have to provide proof - but you must be truthful.

I hope this helps.

 

[flitwickbeds]

I think it might also be worth asking the question of the OP (it has been hinted at earlier but not directly asked) - are any of the bus journeys listed on the same day as the train journeys?

If so, how do you explain this sequence of events:
- You took/were given the Freedom pass in the morning before you went to work
- The same pass was used by someone on a bus
- The same pass was used by you in the evening on the train

If the pass was in your possession for the day, ready for the evening use, how is it possible it was used by your father on a bus earlier in the day?

Of course, if all of the bus journeys are on different dates to the train journeys, there is another element of proof you have that it wasn't you using it.

However if there are some dates which align, you might need to explain how that is possible.

 

[Ana246]

I think it might also be worth asking the question of the OP (it has been hinted at earlier but not directly asked) - are any of the bus journeys listed on the same day as the train journeys?

If so, how do you explain this sequence of events:
- You took/were given the Freedom pass in the morning before you went to work
- The same pass was used by someone on a bus
- The same pass was used by you in the evening on the train

If the pass was in your possession for the day, ready for the evening use, how is it possible it was used by your father on a bus earlier in the day?

Of course, if all of the bus journeys are on different dates to the train journeys, there is another element of proof you have that it wasn't you using it.

However if there are some dates which align, you might need to explain how that is possible.

I have checked and none of the bus journeys were done on the same days as my train journeys. There is a clear & honest pattern that my journeys were made from work to home with the occasion of odd Saturdays. To answer your latter question I know for a fact I never used the pass on buses so it is down to TfL to try to prove me wrong which they can’t since it didn’t happen.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Feb 2026 ==

Right, for whatever reason the OP still seems to be a bit confused.

To the OP, you are only being charged with one offence, let's say that again - only one offence. That offence is for the time you were actually caught using the Freedom Pass.

The other offences, which you are not being charged with, can be taken into consideration when sentencing you for the one charge you are admitting to.

This benefits you as it stops any further prosecution for these offences - in theory TfL could prosecute you separately for each offence . This benefits TfL as it means they can claim compensation from you for the fares avoided, and saves them time & money prosecuting for each separate offence.

Does the above make sense to you? Do you require any more clarification?

Now, to the crux of the matter, the additional offences that are to be taken into consideration. As mentioned above, these will fall into three categories. Those you accept, those you reject (basically the bus journeys + ono or two rail journeys), and those that you are unsure about. Simply note on the form against each entry listing these offences which of the three options applies. Either accept, reject, or mark as unsure. You do not have to provide proof - but you must be truthful.

I hope this helps.

Thank you for this & I do apologise for any repetitions. As you can see I am representing myself alone on this with the added issue of being incorrectly suspected of offences not done by me so that is an extra step I have to take to write to both TFL & the court in advance. Then TfL may write me another similar letter or court summons stating a new reduced offences following my email to them.

Yes, I do understand that. I will be asked whether I accept the other offences (for which hopefully by then TfL and the court will have it reduced as there is no evidence of me being using it on buses). I will make sure I write out the email with my document attached detailing which I accept & which I do not and send a copy of this to the court too along with the separate voluntary statement they’ve asked me.

 

[flitwickbeds]

As you can see I am representing myself alone on this

Do you mean without direct legal representation, or that you haven't told your dad/other family members what is happening?

Appreciate it will be a difficult conversation to have if you haven't already, but I do think you would benefit from having support outside of this forum. We can't hug you like they can!

 

[LUL1970]

The list of jobs and offices exempt was already linked upthread. Unlock is a charity which can help you navigate this.

Differences between unspent and spent convictions - Unlock

Aim of this information This information sets out the differences between spent and unspent convictions. Why is this important It’s […]

unlock.org.uk

 

[Ana246]

Do you mean without direct legal representation, or that you haven't told your dad/other family members what is happening?

Appreciate it will be a difficult conversation to have if you haven't already, but I do think you would benefit from having support outside of this forum. We can't hug you like they can!

Yes that’s correct because I’ve asked for quotation and it is far too much. Either way I am guilty of the train journeys minus 1. I have of course told my family about this & they are distressed as I am

 

[z444z]

I can assure you any buses ive ever taken anywhere have always been on my cards. My cards are registered on TFL and they can compare it themselves to see if I have used any other cards except mine for those dates. What I can prove to them is dates where I used the pass for trains I also used buses to get to my local station using my own cards which can be proved using bank statements & TfL statement

We aren’t doubting you - we just have a duty when advising you to make it really clear how much more serious lying in court is than what you’re being accused of. People go to prison for it.

I agree with others that a solicitor at this point would not provide much or any benefit.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Feb 2026 ==

Appreciate it will be a difficult conversation to have if you haven't already, but I do think you would benefit from having support outside of this forum. We can't hug you like they can!

Really well said!

 

[island]

For this, before signing the box headed 'Receipt to be signed by the accused', you need to clearly cross out the bit that says 'I accept committing these 51 offences'.
Then you need to explain why you are doing that. My suggestion would be to write something like 'please see attached' under 'Statement the accused may wish to volunteer'. Then on a separate piece of paper, type up your statement explaining which of the 51 offences you do not accept, or you're not sure about. Make sure that your typed statement is headed with your name and address and the court reference and sign it *by hand) at the bottom.

This. Then as mentioned above, make six copies of the documents. Three for the magistrates, one for the legal adviser, one for the prosecutor and one spare for yourself.