Fare Evasion Appreciate any help/advice!!

[Southwest]

So its now been around 3 months since the incident, I think its either time to start panicking as either i havent received the letter for some strange reason.. or they just aint sending one, I hope i dont receive just a random court summons through my door or something? seems this letter is taking ages for me compared to other posts

They are making you sweat matey!

 

[Wallamu11]

I'll keep this thread updated with any news, im hoping for an £80 charge as this is what ive heard Northern are currently handing out as 1st time offences. Thats if i receive a letter? when do i stop waiting and contact the TC? my worry is they may think ive ignored a letter that i actually havent received.

 

[Phirstman]

I'll keep this thread updated with any news, im hoping for an £80 charge as this is what ive heard Northern are currently handing out as 1st time offences. Thats if i receive a letter? when do i stop waiting and contact the TC? my worry is they may think ive ignored a letter that i actually havent received.

As stated up-thread, these take time. If you haven't received it yet you'll have to sit tight I'm afraid.

 

[utopiank]

I'll keep this thread updated with any news, im hoping for an £80 charge as this is what ive heard Northern are currently handing out as 1st time offences. Thats if i receive a letter? when do i stop waiting and contact the TC? my worry is they may think ive ignored a letter that i actually havent received.

I had a similar case in the same(ish) area over a shorter distance with Northen. Search my thread "Letter Home" for how it went, but basically I got a letter asking for my events before a 30 pound fine plus a few extra quid for the ticket. I had to wait 2 months for my first letter and 3 months for it all to be sorted, so just sit tight and be ready for when it comes. Private message me if you want advice over what I put in my letter.

 

[Wallamu11]

Ok guys so i finally received my letter, not exactly sure what it means and I have tried to read up on other posts so to broaden my knowledge on what the letter is saying is going to happen to me or what the repurcussions are going to be, I know you guys have replied to 1,000's of these posts so i appreciate it getting tedious responding to these posts but i would really appreciate your help and advice!

here is what the letter says:

DEBT RECOVERY AND PROSECUTIONS UNIT
This office acts asthe prosecuting authority for Northern Rail Limited. The company has a zero tolerance in matters of fare evasion and anti-social behaviour.

On "" January 2013 you were spoken to by an authorised member of staff at PRESTON with regard to an incident of: the non payment of rail fare. Before the company proceeds further with its investigation in respect of this matter, we would like to give you the opportunity of responding with your explanation concerning it. Please complete the bottom section of this letter and, if you wish to make any comment, please do so on the reverse.

As you will appreciate, this is a serious incident; therefore it is imperative that you do not hesitate in contacting the Unit as soon as possible to ascertain the full facts in this matter. Failure to respond to this reasonable request or provide a satisfactory explanation with regard to this incident will result in legal action being taken (Regulations of Railway Act and Railway Byelaws apply). I must inform you that should legal proceedings be invoked, in addition to any fines imposed by the court there will be an application for £150 as a contribution to our costs. Offences of this nature are recordable and should you be convicted you will receive a criminal record.

Now what do i make of that guys? I am worried sick now and i am going to write my response and send it straight back tomorrow just need some advice on what I should say? based on my story does anyone think i could get taken to court and given a criminal record? or fined 1,000 or is this unlikely? thanks for all your help guys!

 

[455driver]

Basically they are asking you for your version of events.

Fill the form in truthfully and concisely and send it back in the next couple of days.

The stuff at the bottom of the letter is just to make sure you dont ignore it and is only an indication of what could happen and not what will happen, unless you ignore it of course and then it will happen.

 

[185]

Assuming it's a first time offence, I'd make them 1) an offer, maybe £80-£150 2) a genuine apology 3) explain circumstances & consequences of the job in the USA and 4) briefly explain your mistake.

 

[Wallamu11]

Thanks for your reply guys, im going to write it tonight and post in the morning before work, do you think its ok to offer an amount or just say im willing to pay compensation? also do i mention i cant have a crimiminal record for my future and USA internship or is all this irrelevant to them?

I really appreciate your time reading this

 

[185]

I'd never suggest mentioning you can't have a criminal record, but I'd certainly suggest mentioning you would most likely lose your new position in the US if prosecuted. They do get read, and a polite, straightforward and apologetic response with a settlement offer can only help your case.

 

[Greenback]

They will not be interested or concerned at all about your future plans, so don't mention any of that.

Be very apologetic, state that you have learned your lesson and in future you will ensure that you buy a ticket before travelling whenever possible.

Also, make it clear that you will be willing to reimburse them for the fare and the costs of dealing with your case in order to avoid court action, but do not mention an amount.

 

[Wallamu11]

Thanks for your opinions, im gonna complete a draft letter when im home later, be done for around 8:30 does it matter if its hand written as my printer is broken? and could i maybe sent it someone to be proofread? if im asking too much then its ok, i know you guys have lives too!

 

[fergusjbend]

I am very sorry for your pedicament. If there is still time I think you should consult a solicitor who could reply on your behalf and who would know just which buttons to press. It will run to money, but might save you a criminal record.

Fergus

 

[455driver]

I am very sorry for your pedicament. If there is still time I think you should consult a solicitor who could reply on your behalf and who would know just which buttons to press. It will run to money, but might save you a criminal record.

Fergus

Why?

He is only writing a letter about a fare anomaly, he isnt on a murder charge! :roll:

 

[Wallamu11]

Ok just finished writing my letter and sending it off this morning, opinions would be very welcome guys:

Dear Sir/Madame, in response to your letter relating to the incidient on "" january 2013, I was not purposely trying to avoid the payment of fare for your services I was just in a rush at the departing station and panicked by boarding the train assuming I could use my visa debit card on board. I looked for a train guard selling tickets although one did not come through the train so I got off at Preston without a ticket. This is very unusual for myself as I use your services on many routes daily and always buy a ticket before boarding the trainand have a rail card as the rail is my first choice of transport. On arrival at Preston I foolishly asked for a ticket from Leyland to Preston as opposed to from Wigan. This was a silly mistake as I had travelled from Leyland to Preston the 2 days prior and upon questioning from the guard I realised I had asked for the wrong ticket. This was a genuine mistake and I fully co-operated with the rail staff, trying to explain the situation and I was more than happy to paythe price of any ticket due. I relaise I have made a huge mistake in this instance and I would like to apologise for my actions unreservedly. I would like the opportunity to pay for the ticket due for the distance I travelled and I am fully willing to pay and reimburse your company for any administrative costs this matter has brought up. I wish to continue using your services and I can guarantee a matter of this sort will never occur again. Regards.

 

[oversteer]

Stop panicking and don't send anything today. Taking a few days to get some opinions on here will make little difference to how fast it's dealt with.

Northern will be quite cynical of your reasons for buying from Leyland as opposed to from Wigan, especially if you live in Wigan. You need to be clearer as to why you said Leyland.

 

[Squaddie]

On arrival at Preston I foolishly asked for a ticket from Leyland to Preston as opposed to from Wigan. This was a silly mistake as I had travelled from Leyland to Preston the 2 days prior and upon questioning from the guard I realised I had asked for the wrong ticket. This was a genuine mistake...

That's not what you said in your opening post:

i thought i could save myself some money by getting a ticket from Leyland, stupid I know!!

Don't make it worse for yourself by being untruthful: it's quite possible that this forum is read by Northern Rail customer service staff, and you've provided more than enough information for them to identify you. Just apologise, promise it won't happen again and hope they show a little leniency.

 

[Phirstman]

That's not what you said in your opening poston't make it worse for yourself by being untruthful: it's quite possible that this forum is read by Northern Rail customer service staff, and you've provided more than enough information for them to identify you. Just apologise, promise it won't happen again and hope they show a little leniency.

This is very good advice in general these days. Any half-decent investigator could do a simple [Insert search engine of choice here] search if they needed further evidence to pin someone down.

Best advice is to not provide any investigator with such an opportunity, and of course to be truthful with events (as any half-decent investigator would also be able to work out any inconsistencies in a chancer's defence, through evidence on or off the internet).

 

[BackSeatDriver]

This is very good advice in general these days. Any half-decent investigator could do a simple [Insert search engine of choice here] search if they needed further evidence to pin someone down.

Best advice is to not provide any investigator with such an opportunity, and of course to be truthful with events (as any half-decent investigator would also be able to work out any inconsistencies in a chancer's defence, through evidence on or off the internet).

I second that I recon this forum is littered with Northern DRPU staff, and as I read the response I went Wow that's not what happend.