Fare evasion

[alb2007]

Hi. I forgot to buy a ticket this morning (first time in 30 years) and was stopped at my main station. I stupidly did not ask for information from the guy (non uniformed) who took all of my details (including 3 pages of written information about my fair evasion). I provided ID etc and actually bought my ticket too while standing there. Anyway, my mistake and and happy to accept a fine. But I have stupidly realised he gave me nothing. Just said I would get something via the post. Does that sound normal? Am worried I am missing an opportunity to just pay something now. Thank you!

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Welcome to the forum!

On some parts of the railway, there is a 'penalty fare' system, which can mean that you're given a docket requiring you to pay your usual fare plus £50 (rising to £100 if you take more than 14 days to pay). But this system isn't universal, and even where it exists the railway can choose not to use it.

In this case, I suspect that the railway's officer has chosen not to use this process. So what will probably happen is that at some point you will get a letter from the railway. This may arrive in a few days, or it could take up to about six months. That letter will most probably be headed something like 'Notice of intended prosecution' but don't panic: if you read it closely you will find that while the railway might take you to prosecution, at this point what they want is your side of the story.

At that point, we generally suggest that you should reply courteously, and apologise for your mistake. @Hadders may well be along shortly with a very good description of what your letter should say, but you should make it clear that you will make sure that you always pay the right fare in future. And you should offer to pay the fare that you should have paid, plus the cost of the railway's investigation (which is likely to be somewhere between £100 and £200).

As (in my view) the main thing that the railway wants to get out of the process is reassurance that people will not systematically dodge their fare again, it will be pretty likely that they will agree to settle out of court, as long as they think that you have learnt your lesson. If they are prepared to settle like that, then pay the settlement, and the matter's over - you won't have to go to court and you won't have a criminal record.

 

[alb2007]

Welcome to the forum!

On some parts of the railway, there is a 'penalty fare' system, which can mean that you're given a docket requiring you to pay your usual fare plus £50 (rising to £100 if you take more than 14 days to pay). But this system isn't universal, and even where it exists the railway can choose not to use it.

In this case, I suspect that the railway's officer has chosen not to use this process. So what will probably happen is that at some point you will get a letter from the railway. This may arrive in a few days, or it could take up to about six months. That letter will most probably be headed something like 'Notice of intended prosecution' but don't panic: if you read it closely you will find that while the railway might take you to prosecution, at this point what they want is your side of the story.

At that point, we generally suggest that you should reply courteously, and apologise for your mistake. @Hadders may well be along shortly with a very good description of what your letter should say, but you should make it clear that you will make sure that you always pay the right fare in future. And you should offer to pay the fare that you should have paid, plus the cost of the railway's investigation (which is likely to be somewhere between £100 and £200).

As (in my view) the main thing that the railway wants to get out of the process is reassurance that people will not systematically dodge their fare again, it will be pretty likely that they will agree to settle out of court, as long as they think that you have learnt your lesson. If they are prepared to settle like that, then pay the settlement, and the matter's over - you won't have to go to court and you won't have a criminal record.

Thank you so much for your reply. I already feel like a criminal - I will most definitely follow your advice.

 

[Danberto]

To add to the post by Fawkes Cat. If you engage positively with the communication you receive, the Train Operating Company (TOC) will then decide whether or not to offer an 'out of court' settlement.

If an 'out of court' settlement is requested, you will be asked to pay the 'anytime' standard single fare for the journey you undertook. On top of this, the TOC will request an 'admin fee' for their work in dealing with this matter.

Should you pay the 'out of court settlement', this will be the end of the matter and the incident will not progress to court. Should the TOC not receive the payment they request, they will progress this matter to the court.

 

[Haywain]

including 3 pages of written information about my fair evasion

Does this mean a 3 pages long interview, or 3 pages worth of fare evasion? If you have admitted to other fare evasion this would make your case a little more difficult, but this may just be my interpretation of your comment!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I provided ID etc and actually bought my ticket too while standing there.

Welcome to the forum! Not sure you've said/clarified what the origin and destination stations were, but how much you actually paid, but was it an Anytime, Off-peak or Advance ticket?

And you should offer to pay the fare that you should have paid, plus the cost of the railway's investigation (which is likely to be somewhere between £100 and £200).

In view of what the OP has said upthread, would they normally be expected to pay the "unpaid" fare again?

 

[alb2007]

Does this mean a 3 pages long interview, or 3 pages worth of fare evasion? If you have admitted to other fare evasion this would make your case a little more difficult, but this may just be my interpretation of your comment!

ha no - he just wrote lots! No idea what as I was not speaking - was in too much shock I think! I showed him my past tickets. I have no other fare evasions I promise!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Sep 2023 ==

Thank

To add to the post by Fawkes Cat. If you engage positively with the communication you receive, the Train Operating Company (TOC) will then decide whether or not to offer an 'out of court' settlement.

If an 'out of court' settlement is requested, you will be asked to pay the 'anytime' standard single fare for the journey you undertook. On top of this, the TOC will request an 'admin fee' for their work in dealing with this matter.

Should you pay the 'out of court settlement', this will be the end of the matter and the incident will not progress to court. Should the TOC not receive the payment they request, they will progress this matter to the court.

Thank you! This is all very new to me so am stressing a bit!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Sep 2023 ==

Welcome to the forum! Not sure you've said/clarified what the origin and destination stations were, but how much you actually paid, but was it an Anytime, Off-peak or Advance ticket?


In view of what the OP has said upthread, would they normally be expected to pay the "unpaid" fare again?

I bought my usual anytime ticket whilst I was waiting there - mainly so I didn't forget on the way home. It is really not about the money, i made a mistake so was happy to pay!

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

We could do with knowing which stations you were travelling between and which train company you are dealing with.

What will probably happen is the train company, or an investigation company acting on their behalf, will write to you saying they have received a report of fare evasion, that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute but asking for your version of events before deciding how to proceed. The letter normally takes a few weeks to arrive but can take up to six months.

I would write a short, concise reply covering the following points:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the train company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter

Most train companies are usually prepared to offer an administrative settlement (commonly known as an out of court settlement) for people who engage with the process and who haven't come to their attention before. There is no guarantee of this and the train company is within their rights to prosecute you in the magistrates court should they wish to. Settlement costs tend to be around £100 plus the outstanding fare. An out of court settlement might appear to be a fine, but it isn't and you won't have a criminal record as a result of accepting one.

Be aware that the train company might decide to research your online ticket purchasing history (if you purchase tickets online) so do beware that they might ask you about any irregularities (although from what you say there aren’t any). Note that you aren’t required to incriminate yourself in your reply to the train company but you should be truthful in your reply to them.

Feel free to post a copy of the letter when it arrives (with personal details redacted), along with your draft reply and forum members will be happy to proof read it for you.

 

[fandroid]

I would be interested to know about the ticket purchase. You said at your "main station". Was that your destination or your starting point? You also said you bought your "normal Anytime ticket" to cover your journey home. Was it a return ticket or a single ticket for that return journey? Did you buy it from the inspector who interviewed you, or from the ticket office or online? Sorry to be pedantic but it's best not to have ambiguity over the circumstances when trying to advise

 

[alb2007]

Thanks! I was at my end destination when I was stopped. And yes, I went online and bought a return journey ticket as I normally would to cover my fare online - he did not offer to sell me a ticket. I have just bought a new season ticket - never want to feel like this again! Yes I may be out of pocket in the long run but the stress of today is not worth it!

 

[Fawkes Cat]

I have just bought a new season ticket

If the process goes as we expect, then mention this point in your letter of explanation: it shows that you are doing what you can to make sure that you won't fail to get the right ticket again.