Advice Needed

[AlterEgo]

If the ticket you showed was for two adjacent stations, it is often cheaper to use Oyster, and the fact you didn't could be flagged up as suspicious. Also, if you were on a train to Gatwick and you had luggage with airline stickers attached, again it could be suspicious. You may not be out of the woods.

They would have stopped him if they were really bothered.

 

[jacksonbang]

Statistically you will get caught in the end with these railcard ruses. They are so prevalent nowadays. I missed my train to Greenwich the other day because the gate didn't open and someone then wanted to see my railcard on my phone. I probably get asked, on average, once on the train every ten trips. If you are that worried now about something that I don't think they care about, I don't see how it is worth going through the stress of the whole travelling procedure knowing you have an invalid ticket. Just pay the extra to make your journey less stressful.

I'd say they don't care - because no statement was taken. They contact you weeks later through some tracing system, what are you going to say? You came through the gate with a valid ticket - just because it wasn't scanned in - who cares? Unless they are using timing points to note you only bought the ticket just before showing it. But they'd really want to catch you to do that because you could still argue you showed the wrong ticket. As long as you have nothing else to hide, I'd say you would be OK.

 

[Skimpot flyer]

You bought a second ticket for which you paid full price (no railcard discount).
I take it the second ticket was for the full journey (St Pancras to Gatwick) ?
If not, how were you intending to get through the barriers at the airport?

Actually, that question applies equally well to the invalid (discounted) ticket

 

[leicetergl33]

St Pancras is a National Rail station, so TfL are not involved.

out of curiosity what is the difference between a natioanl rail and tfl station? eg if this happened at London Bridge or london victoria would it be still national rail or tfl? they are all in London

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Jun 2024 ==

Statistically you will get caught in the end with these railcard ruses. They are so prevalent nowadays. I missed my train to Greenwich the other day because the gate didn't open and someone then wanted to see my railcard on my phone. I probably get asked, on average, once on the train every ten trips. If you are that worried now about something that I don't think they care about, I don't see how it is worth going through the stress of the whole travelling procedure knowing you have an invalid ticket. Just pay the extra to make your journey less stressful.

I'd say they don't care - because no statement was taken. They contact you weeks later through some tracing system, what are you going to say? You came through the gate with a valid ticket - just because it wasn't scanned in - who cares? Unless they are using timing points to note you only bought the ticket just before showing it. But they'd really want to catch you to do that because you could still argue you showed the wrong ticket. As long as you have nothing else to hide, I'd say you would be OK.

i said before in the thread that ive done it quite a few times before. and also, i did have a suitcase so they could have assumed i was going to the airport rather than london bridge.

but yes nonetheless they did not take my details, so i just wasnt sure if they could put a mark on my account or something. anyhow, i have bought a railcard and this has taught me a really big lesson and given me quite the scare. i am on the spectrum and struggle with these types of situations (not an excuse) but am super grateful for everyone thats helpingme here

 

[MotCO]

out of curiosity what is the difference between a natioanl rail and tfl station? eg if this happened at London Bridge or london victoria would it be still national rail or tfl? they are all in London

TfL stations tend to be some of the Overground stations, all of the Tube stations (unless joint with NR such as Wimbledon) and DLR stations. Mainline stations (terminii) are NR, while the Tube station below them is TfL. Thameslink is NR.

It often depends on who the train operator is. Tube and Overground and DLR is operated by TfL, mainline trains are operated by franchise operators appointed by NR - e.g. GWR, Avanti, SouthEastern, Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express SWT etc

 

[Skimpot flyer]

Again, how were you planning to exit at Gatwick? The barriers are manned.

 

[Greyman1]

In terms of tracking people down.

The railway have access to all sorts of databases that they pay to have access to.
The third party vendors such as Trainline will supply what they have in their records with your account if asked for with in a data protection capacity. the rail company will then use that information in their systems and will look to work out who you are and recover any fares that they believe you have evaded.

This is a summary only offence and therefore they can go back 6 months if they wish to prosecute you. If you want to seek a settlement, this is an agreement that needs to be met between you an the rail operator, where they will often use data from beyond 6 months back in recover their lost revenue.

There is often a charge for investigation, added to the total.
I would contact the company if you can and make sure this is in a position to be considered for a settlement.
If you are comfortable with potentially getting a criminal record through the courts, wait for them to find you and see what happens.