Letter from prosecutor

[Ossy]

I just received a letter from rail prosecutor, giving me two weeks to respond. The incident happened 19th December 2023. I usually buy my train tickets using train pal app. Coming from Preston to Lancaster and couldn't get my app to open on the train to buy ticke due to network issues. After trying for some time, I fell asleep inside the train becouse I just completed a 10 hours night duty. On getting to Lancaster, I remember I didn't succeed and Immidently bought one. Trying to exit the train station, I was asked for tick and I presented the e-ticket to the. I was surprised they said I just bought it. All efforts trying to explain the above to him failed and was booked. Please advise on how to respond to them without going to court.

 

[mangyiscute]

I don't know exactly what to do, but I will advise for the future that you aren't allowed to buy a ticket while you are on the train, you must purchase a ticket before you board the train, even if you are buying a ticket through an app.

 

[tram21]

I don't know exactly what to do, but I will advise for the future that you aren't allowed to buy a ticket while you are on the train, you must purchase a ticket before you board the train, even if you are buying a ticket through an app.

Similarly I'll let the professionals advise what to do, but if you do ever encounter issues that you don't have a ticket when boarding (obviously it should be purchased before boarding) you should find the conductor/ train manager as soon as possible who will in almost all cases be able to sell you a ticket and avoid this situation from happening.

 

[Haywain]

As a starting point, which company has written to you?

 

[Titfield]

Please upload a copy of the letter you have received with all identifying details (name address reference number etc) redacted (obscured).

Advice specific to your issue can then be provided.

 

[Ossy]

As a starting point, which company has written to you?

Northern

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jan 2024 ==

Please upload a copy of the letter you have received with all identifying details (name address reference number etc) redacted (obscured).

Advice specific to your issue can then be provided.

OK. Will do that tomorrow

 

[AlterEgo]

The train company will see this as classic pay-when-challenged behaviour. Every day, people try to skip the train for free hoping the barriers are open at the other end; quite common if travelling late at night or early in the morning.

It’s an offence to board a train without a valid ticket where purchasing opportunities were available before you boarded.

 

[gray1404]

If there is an open booking office or working ticket machine at the station you start your journey (which will be the case at Preston) you must purchase your ticket before getting on the train. If you are using an app to purchase your ticket then you must have done this before you step foot on the train.

Please upload a copy of the letter you have received with any personal identify details retracted.

However I expect you have received a standard letter from Northern inviting you to give your side of the story. Provided you have not come to their attention before or you have a history of incorrectly purchasing tickets through websites or apps (they will be able to check your purchase history) not according to the rules, then Northern very likely to offer you and out of court settlement.

Typically this will be around £150 the anytime single fare for the journey made and this will need paying promptly.

You should reply to them within the deadline stated setting out the following:
You are sorry for not purchasing your ticket before you boarded the train
You understand the seriousness of this and we'll ensure you hold your tickets before boarding in future and assure them incidents like this will not happen again
Offer to pay their costs in investigating the matter and any outstanding fare

You can look at other threads on this forum for examples of letters other people have sent and you can post a copy of your draft letter here for us to check before you send it back to them.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

A slight but important typo in post #8 abov which I have corrected:

However I expect you have received a standard letter from Northern inviting you to give your side of the story. Provided you have NOT come to their attention before or you have a history of incorrectly purchasing tickets through websites or apps (they will be able to check your purchase history) not according to the rules, then Northern very likely to offer you and out of court settlement.

 

[island]

I usually buy my train tickets using train pal app. Coming from Preston to Lancaster and couldn't get my app to open on the train to buy ticke due to network issues.

Why didn’t you buy a ticket at the ticket office or ticket machines at Preston?

 

[Ossy]

A slight but important typo in post #8 abov which I have corrected:

Thanks. Pls how do I reply to this letter?

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Thanks. Pls how do I reply to this letter?

Have a look at what else was said in post #8. If you look at some other threads you will see that @gray1404 has quoted some excellent advice which is often given.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Is Preston (still?) one of those stations with possibly non-compliant "WARNING - Have you paid?" signage?

If so, are there any relevant grounds for the OP (= @Ossy) successfully appealing on this basis?

This previous thread from mid November 2023 refers...

Advice needed: Northern trains penalty issued

Hi there Hoping someone can give me some advice. Travelled down from Scotland to Preston last Friday with my daughter for a little break. We dropped our bags at the hotel and made our way back to Preston train station and onto the platform to catch a train to Blackpool for a nice day out...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Haywain]

Is Preston (still?) one of those stations with possibly non-compliant "WARNING - Have you paid?" signage?

If so, are there any relevant grounds for the OP (= @Ossy) successfully appealing on this basis?

This previous thread from mid November 2023 refers...

Advice needed: Northern trains penalty issued

Hi there Hoping someone can give me some advice. Travelled down from Scotland to Preston last Friday with my daughter for a little break. We dropped our bags at the hotel and made our way back to Preston train station and onto the platform to catch a train to Blackpool for a nice day out...

www.railforums.co.uk

This doesn't sound like a Penalty Fare, so the signage will not be relevant.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

This doesn't sound like a Penalty Fare, so the signage will not be relevant.

Probably not, although we haven't yet seen the letter in question, have we?

 

[skyhigh]

Probably not, although we haven't yet seen the letter in question, have we?

Penalty Fares are never issued by letter. Unless this was a reminder letter for an unpaid PF (which it doesn't sound like) it's not a Penalty Fare.

 

[Ossy]

Pls I have uploaded the letter.

 

[Hadders]

Thanks for uploading the letter. This is the standard letter that Northern send to people they have caught with a ticket irregularity. As others have said you are required to purchase a ticket before you board the train, where facilities to do so exist. There is a ticket office and ticket machines at Preston so you should have been able to purchase a ticket. You can purchase a ticket online or through an app but you are not required to do so.

I suggest writing a short, concise reply mentioning 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

Northern 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 they are within their rights to prosecute you in the magistrates court should they wish to do so.

If you are offered a settlement the amount tends to be around £150 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.

Feel free to post a copy of your draft reply in this thread and forum members will be happy to proof read it for you.

 

[Ossy]

Please upload a copy of the letter you have received with all identifying details (name address reference number etc) redacted (obscured).

Advice specific to your issue can then be provided.

Penalty Fares are never issued by letter. Unless this was a reminder letter for an unpaid PF (which it doesn't sound like) it's not a Penalty Fare.

This doesn't sound like a Penalty Fare, so the signage will not be relevant.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jan 2024 ==

Should I explain the incident of what happened?

 

[Haywain]

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jan 2024 ==

Should I explain the incident of what happened?

See post #18 above.