Marixi
New Member
Hi everyone.
I’m a 19 year old, who lives in Essex. I went to London a week ago (Barking-Ilford was the journey) for my Driving Theory Test. I am not familiar with London Buses as I never use them, and I ran for the last bus to get to the test in time for my time slot. I hoped from the back only to realise that I couldn’t pay from the back of the bus. I tried getting at the front to pay but people blocked the way, and as they cleared the bus started. Long story short I panicked, and went upstairs as all seats were taken down. Since it’s a standard fare I though I could pay on the way out as well (turns out that that’s not the case, as I said i never take the bus in London) and the inspector caught me.
I received the intention of prosecution letter and already answered it saying I accepted the offence, the circumstances, that I was sorry, ashamed of myself, that of course it wasn’t my intention, and that I was willing to settle it out of court paying any fine they redeemed appropriate for the offence. I also sent the evidence of the driving test, and explained to them that a criminal record would cause a lot of damage for my future career prospects.
I never did this in my life. I don’t know what my chances for settling out of court for not having a ticket are, and I’m getting in touch with a lawyer for legal advise. So, does anyone know if I’ll be likely to settle, or be prosecuted, how seriously TFL takes care evasion for single time offence with no ticket purchased on the bus.
Any comment is greatly appreciated.
I’m a 19 year old, who lives in Essex. I went to London a week ago (Barking-Ilford was the journey) for my Driving Theory Test. I am not familiar with London Buses as I never use them, and I ran for the last bus to get to the test in time for my time slot. I hoped from the back only to realise that I couldn’t pay from the back of the bus. I tried getting at the front to pay but people blocked the way, and as they cleared the bus started. Long story short I panicked, and went upstairs as all seats were taken down. Since it’s a standard fare I though I could pay on the way out as well (turns out that that’s not the case, as I said i never take the bus in London) and the inspector caught me.
I received the intention of prosecution letter and already answered it saying I accepted the offence, the circumstances, that I was sorry, ashamed of myself, that of course it wasn’t my intention, and that I was willing to settle it out of court paying any fine they redeemed appropriate for the offence. I also sent the evidence of the driving test, and explained to them that a criminal record would cause a lot of damage for my future career prospects.
I never did this in my life. I don’t know what my chances for settling out of court for not having a ticket are, and I’m getting in touch with a lawyer for legal advise. So, does anyone know if I’ll be likely to settle, or be prosecuted, how seriously TFL takes care evasion for single time offence with no ticket purchased on the bus.
Any comment is greatly appreciated.