Interviewed under caution - price or destination most important factor?

[bristolboi]

Dear all,

Law abiding citizen here. Over the weekend I travelled to Cardiff to watch the rugby. Had a few beers. No opportunity to buy ticket at origin station or changes.
On arrival went STRAIGHT to buy ticket. I was coherent, knew I'd come from Bristol, but confusion about actual origin station. Through excitement and tipsiness I may not have been overly attentive or charming, and I apologise wholeheartedly for that. Woman asked where I'd come from.

'Bristol.'
'No you haven't. Where have you come from?'
'Bristol, and I'm returning there this evening. Can I have a return please?'
'You didn't come from Temple Meads,'
'I think I was on the train from Temple Meads, but I came from Bristol.'

Bam. RPI interview. Caution. Was apologetic. Gave all my details. Explained a bit confused and had confused origin station as not Bristolian, but had every intention to pay as I'd actively seeked out ticket office at first opportunity.
Subsequently had a look at and confirmed; fares from Redland (actual origin station) and Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff is identical. I also returned to Temple Meads that evening with another single. Just wondering if this has any bearing on the grovelling apology I'm about to construct. Surely I'm not evading a fare if I was prepared to pay the full price? I'm not sure if I should feel anxious or aggrieved.

TIA

 

[reb0118]

I think you are over analysing things.

The facts that the RPI were trying to ascertain included, but are not limited to, your complete journey for that day (including origin station) and what, if any, tickets that you held for that journey, and if they covered you for your complete journey.

Not knowing where you started your journey from rightly rings alarm bells with RPIs as you can no doubt see.

That said until GWR/ATW write to you (I assume your details were taken?) we will not know what charges, if any, are being contemplated.

It's a waiting game for now.

 

[najaB]

Subsequently had a look at fares, the price from Redland (actual origin station) and Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff is identical. I also returned to Temple Meads that evening with another single. Just wondering if this has any bearing on the grovelling apology I'm about to construct. Surely I'm not evading a fare if I was prepared to pay the full price? I'm not sure if I should feel anxious or aggrieved.

The fact that the two fares are equal doesn't make them equivalent and interchangeable.

You don't need to be grovelling, just factual - you stated the wrong station because you couldn't remember the name.

 

[bristolboi]

The fact that the two fares are equal doesn't make them equivalent and interchangeable.

But surely it is evidence enough that I'm not trying to evade a fare when the prices are the same? We had even discussed that prices from local stations were equivalent earlier in the day.

I agree, a waiting game. I assume it is better to wait than write a pre-emptive letter, however I worry that my eloquence at the time may have prevented me delivering a superb explanation of events. Would there be merit in a more recent recollection of events than one in 6 weeks (when I receive correspondence from GWR?)

Also, probably a commonly asked question, but whilst being interviewed, a woman (with authority) came and suggested a 20£ on the spot fine, but interviewer shouted her down because he'd 'already started,' his form. Does this mean anything? Again, I'm probably over-analysing.

I'll keep you all updated, thanks.

 

[Haywain]

But surely it is evidence enough that I'm not trying to evade a fare when the prices are the same? We had even discussed that prices from local stations were equivalent earlier in the day.

I agree, a waiting game. I assume it is better to wait than write a pre-emptive letter, however I worry that my eloquence at the time may have prevented me delivering a superb explanation of events. Would there be merit in a more recent recollection of events than one in 6 weeks (when I receive correspondence from GWR?)

Also, probably a commonly asked question, but whilst being interviewed, a woman (with authority) came and suggested a 20£ on the spot fine, but interviewer shouted her down because he'd 'already started,' his form. Does this mean anything? Again, I'm probably over-analysing.

I'll keep you all updated, thanks.

I would say that, ultimately, your eloquence or lack of it may work in your favour to some extent. Unable to remember the name of your station through inebriation is more likely than if you were sober!

 

[AnkleBoots]

We had even discussed that prices from local stations were equivalent earlier in the day.

You had had an earlier conversation with the RPI on the same day?!

 

[bristolboi]

You had had an earlier conversation with the RPI on the same day?!

sorry. my friends and I. Like a ticket to Manchester Central Zones or something similar.
I know ignorance isn't an excuse, but i feel my situation is slightly stronger because, despite my misunderstanding, i fully offered to pay for an equally priced ticket (within bristol) at the first opportunity.

 

[Southwest]

No opportunity to buy ticket at origin station or changes

You never stated why this was.

 

[ainsworth74]

You never stated why this was.

No TVM/ticket office at the origin and no time to use the ticket office at Temple Meads would seem to be most likely.

 

[Haywain]

sorry. my friends and I. Like a ticket to Manchester Central Zones or something similar.
I know ignorance isn't an excuse, but i feel my situation is slightly stronger because, despite my misunderstanding, i fully offered to pay for an equally priced ticket (within bristol) at the first opportunity.

OK, so now look at it from the train operator's point of view, which is that the vast majority of people who make this sort of 'mistake' every day do it with the clear intention of saving themselves some money. In your case it could be viewed as being with this intention and you made the mistake of not realising that you wouldn't be saving money. It could even be argued that if you had known that you might have stated a different starting station, such as Newport.

 

[bristolboi]

You never stated why this was.

redland -> stapleton road -> filton -> cardiff
no ticket offices/machines at any of these

reason for this route:
30 mins faster than
redland -> BTM -> cardiff

returning to temple meads in the evening as local trains not running

OK, so now look at it from the train operator's point of view, which is that the vast majority of people who make this sort of 'mistake' every day do it with the clear intention of saving themselves some money. In your case it could be viewed as being with this intention and you made the mistake of not realising that you wouldn't be saving money. It could even be argued that if you had known that you might have stated a different starting station, such as Newport.

so surely if I had the intention of saving money, I would've said Newport and not Bristol? seems stupid to try and save a quid when you can save 10. seems a bit pedantic to go for the jugular over precisely 0 pounds, no?
I've made a call regarding CCTV at origin station which was somewhat fruitless...something about how it might be deleted before they can get it. there might be CCTV in Cardiff which shows me going straight to the ticket office though?

 

[najaB]

...seems a bit pedantic to go for the jugular over precisely 0 pounds, no?

It's unlikely that a TOC would prosecute, but as I said before the fact that two fares are the same amount doesn't make them interchangeable.

 

[bristolboi]

I've recorded my version of events and would appreciate an opinion on what I've written but would rather send them via DM if at all possible...I have no doubt that TOCs check these forums for clues if they're serious about prosecuting.

if anyone is happy to have a look please let me know.

cheers