Lied about which station we travelled from..

[Emma123]

Hi All,

I really hope you can help.

The scenario is... we ran for the train and got on it, hoping that the inspector would come round on the train and we would just buy a ticket from him. The inspector never came and when we got to the barriers at Snow Hill station we went to buy a ticket from the booth.

STUPIDLY!! I decided to lie about where we were travelling from, in order to get a cheaper ticket. The person on the desk clocked onto this, I told the truth when she asked again. I was questioned under caution and then told I would receive a letter in the post.

Does anyone know the usual outcome of this? This is a first offence, no criminal record or even parking fines.

If it makes a difference, it was a London Midland Train. The difference in station was about £2.00 if that, stupid I know.

Your responses are very much appreciated!

Kind regards,

Emma

 

[Elecman]

You will get a letter from London Midland in due course asking you for your side of the story, be honest apologise for your actions promise it won't happen again and that you understand that it costs them money to investigate cases like yours, be brief and to the point.. if your sure your not already known to them you will be asked to pay an amount of money circa £80 to £100 to settle out of court.

 

[najaB]

Elecman has detailed the 'happy path', however please remember that there is no right to a settlement. Be prepared for it to go to court as that is always a possibly.

LM have enough evidence to support a Regulation of Railways Act conviction which would result in a fairly stiff fine (at least a couple hundred pounds) and would be noted on a DBS check for 12 months.

 

[Emma123]

Hi both,

Thanks very much for your responses!

The lady did say we would receive a call rather than a letter, do you know if that's a common procedure? I still live with my parents you see...

Kind regards,

Emma

 

[Emma123]

You've mentioned receiving a letter, but the lady behind the desk said I would receive a call as my preference would be to be contacted via telephone. Is this is a usual method of contact or do you think they will just send me a letter anyway?

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Expect a letter asking for your side of the story and refer back to Elecman's post earlier

 

[gray1404]

Never heard of a train company making a phone call like that before. It is usually by letter.

 

[Greenback]

It is usual to communicate on matters like this in writing. Don't expect to be phoned!

 

[crehld]

It is usual to communicate on matters like this in writing. Don't expect to be phoned!

And if you are phoned, please insist on anything being agreed to to be put in writing.

 

[455driver]

Does the station where you got on have ticket purchasing facilities (ticket office or ticket machine)?
Why didn't you buy a ticket before you got on the train?
Does the station you got off have ticket barriers?

Do you know that if ticket purchasing facilities are available where you get on the train it is an offence not to use them whether the guard comes round or not?

 

[gray1404]

Even if the station the OP started out at didn't have ticket buying facilities, the fact remains they attempted to defraud the railway company by attempting to obtain a different fare.

 

[cjmillsnun]

Does the station where you got on have ticket purchasing facilities (ticket office or ticket machine)?
Why didn't you buy a ticket before you got on the train?
Does the station you got off have ticket barriers?

Do you know that if ticket purchasing facilities are available where you get on the train it is an offence not to use them whether the guard comes round or not?

So if the guard is hiding in the back cab (as a minority do) the OP has committed an offence if there were no purchasing facilities at the origin station?

I would argue not. If the guard has not been found then no offence has been committed as there was no opportunity to pay.

However the offence was committed for definite when the OP lied about their origin station.

 

[bb21]

So if the guard is hiding in the back cab (as a minority do) the OP has committed an offence if there were no purchasing facilities at the origin station?

I would argue not. If the guard has not been found then no offence has been committed as there was no opportunity to pay.

I don't think that is what he said.

 

[cjmillsnun]

I don't think that is what he said.

Do you know that if ticket purchasing facilities are available where you get on the train it is an offence not to use them whether the guard comes round or not?

I think that it is exactly what he said.

 

[Darandio]

I think that it is exactly what he said.

No, he talked about an offence where not buying a ticket before boarding when there are facilities to do so, regardless of a guard being there or not.

You have talked about when there are no facilities available before boarding.

 

[bradders1983]

Just out of interest (and this is just a general question), why would the person selling the ticket question where the person came from?

Am I guessing this is common practice when people state they have come from the nearest station (so in Leeds it probably would be Burley Park)?

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Just out of interest (and this is just a general question), why would the person selling the ticket question where the person came from?

A) to sell the ticket and get the revenue

B) to see if the person is genuine and telling the truth. If a person got on at an unmanned station with no ticket purchasing facilities and says so, then fine - but if the person lies and says a different station (which has ticket purchasing facilities) then clearly something is wrong and there is intent to defraud the railway

 

[bradders1983]

A) to sell the ticket and get the revenue

B) to see if the person is genuine and telling the truth. If a person got on at an unmanned station with no ticket purchasing facilities and says so, then fine - but if the person lies and says a different station (which has ticket purchasing facilities) then clearly something is wrong and there is intent to defraud the railway

What about if someone stated they had come from the furthest possible station away without ticket selling facilities at the station? Is this like to get questioned than the CLOSEST possible station without facilities?

Methinks not.

 

[Darandio]

Methinks not.

Well no, and in response to your original question, 'short faring' is one of the most common and widespread fare evasion techniques. Burley Park is indeed one of the hotspots.

 

[crehld]

However the offence was committed for definite when the OP lied about their origin station.

Let us stay focused on this as this is the issue here. Let's not get side tracked on to other matters. The purpose of this sub-forum is to provide advice to the OP.

 

[Emma123]

Hi All,

Thanks for your responses.

Strangely I have still not received a letter regarding this, is it unusual to take so long?

Kind regards,

Emma Hale

 

[6Gman]

Hi All,

Thanks for your responses.

Strangely I have still not received a letter regarding this, is it unusual to take so long?

Kind regards,

Emma Hale

It can take several weeks.