Over a week ago I took a train journey, and when I went to the ticket machine to purchase my return ticket a message on the machine came up saying 'Daily Limit Exceeded'. This was 8:30 in the morning and I hadn't used my card that day so I knew I hadn't gone over the limit (this has happened once before using the same machine a few weeks ago and on that occasion I was able to purchase a ticket from the conductor on the train using my card). Since the first time that happened I have always tried to make sure I have enough cash on me to purchase the ticket, although I know this must be a machine issue rather than my card.
I didn't have any cash on me though and thought that it would be ok to purchase a ticket from the conductor on the train. I now know since reading up on this that this isn't the correct thing to do but I have never had a problem with purchasing a ticket on board before.
When the train arrived I looked around to make sure I got on to the same carriage as the conductor, he closed the doors and went straight into the cabin at the front of the carriage, I was sat about a meter away from him. I tried to get his attention before this but to no success.
He remained there for my journey which lasts around 10 mins. I arrived at the my destination where train staff were waiting at the bottom of the stairs, I went straight up to the inspector and asked if I could purchase a ticket. He said he would deal with it in a second.
Once he had checked through passengers he then came up to me and asked why I didn't have a ticket for my journey, I explained that I tried using my card in the TM and that I had a message come up saying 'Daily Limit Exceeded', he said "by this time of the day already?" and I laughed and said "I know it's ridiculous isn't it". I thought I would then be offered to by a ticket, instead another inspector came over with a note pad and read me my rights before asking me some questions. Where did you travel from?, why weren't you able to buy a ticket?etc.
Once he had asked his 3rd or 4th question I asked what he was doing and he said he was "writing a report" of why I wasn't able to purchase a ticket. Although he had read me my rights I felt as though he was making a record to send on to the engineers. I must add I have never experienced anything like this, and so I didn't really know what was going on. He then asked if it was safe to assume that if he wasn't at the station at the bottom of the steps then would I have walked off without purchasing a ticket, to which I said yes. I must add that the station I arrived at has NO ticket purchasing facilities and that would make this impossible. I also explained this to the inspector.
His report finished there and I was then told to expect a letter in the post within 3 weeks and to respond to it immediately. I asked what the letter would contain but he couldn't tell me. I then walked off to work.
It was all very strange and I had never been read my rights before so decided to check on the internet what it was when I got into work. It was then I realised that I was actually receiving a caution for an fare evasion offence.
I appreciate now that it was VERY silly of me not to buy a ticket before boarding the train, but I did try to purchase one from the conductor on the carriage. I accept that I will probably receive a fine but I don't want a court summons OR criminal record.
He never asked me if I had any other means of payment, or if I intended to travel without paying, and I am 100% sure my card would have worked through the conductors machine as it always has in the past.
For what it's worth I have kept my tickets from the same journey a day before to help prove I don't intentionally avoid paying. I also have no previous cautions or convictions.
I have just received a letter of 'intention to prosecute' for 'failing to hand over a rail ticket for inspection'. With the option to provide information from my point of view.
Any advice would be welcome, thanks.
I didn't have any cash on me though and thought that it would be ok to purchase a ticket from the conductor on the train. I now know since reading up on this that this isn't the correct thing to do but I have never had a problem with purchasing a ticket on board before.
When the train arrived I looked around to make sure I got on to the same carriage as the conductor, he closed the doors and went straight into the cabin at the front of the carriage, I was sat about a meter away from him. I tried to get his attention before this but to no success.
He remained there for my journey which lasts around 10 mins. I arrived at the my destination where train staff were waiting at the bottom of the stairs, I went straight up to the inspector and asked if I could purchase a ticket. He said he would deal with it in a second.
Once he had checked through passengers he then came up to me and asked why I didn't have a ticket for my journey, I explained that I tried using my card in the TM and that I had a message come up saying 'Daily Limit Exceeded', he said "by this time of the day already?" and I laughed and said "I know it's ridiculous isn't it". I thought I would then be offered to by a ticket, instead another inspector came over with a note pad and read me my rights before asking me some questions. Where did you travel from?, why weren't you able to buy a ticket?etc.
Once he had asked his 3rd or 4th question I asked what he was doing and he said he was "writing a report" of why I wasn't able to purchase a ticket. Although he had read me my rights I felt as though he was making a record to send on to the engineers. I must add I have never experienced anything like this, and so I didn't really know what was going on. He then asked if it was safe to assume that if he wasn't at the station at the bottom of the steps then would I have walked off without purchasing a ticket, to which I said yes. I must add that the station I arrived at has NO ticket purchasing facilities and that would make this impossible. I also explained this to the inspector.
His report finished there and I was then told to expect a letter in the post within 3 weeks and to respond to it immediately. I asked what the letter would contain but he couldn't tell me. I then walked off to work.
It was all very strange and I had never been read my rights before so decided to check on the internet what it was when I got into work. It was then I realised that I was actually receiving a caution for an fare evasion offence.
I appreciate now that it was VERY silly of me not to buy a ticket before boarding the train, but I did try to purchase one from the conductor on the carriage. I accept that I will probably receive a fine but I don't want a court summons OR criminal record.
He never asked me if I had any other means of payment, or if I intended to travel without paying, and I am 100% sure my card would have worked through the conductors machine as it always has in the past.
For what it's worth I have kept my tickets from the same journey a day before to help prove I don't intentionally avoid paying. I also have no previous cautions or convictions.
I have just received a letter of 'intention to prosecute' for 'failing to hand over a rail ticket for inspection'. With the option to provide information from my point of view.
Any advice would be welcome, thanks.
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