Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Hi. Im embarrassed to be writing this but Today a ticket inspector caught me travelling without a valid ticket. They note down my details... took a picture of my ID and said that I would receive a letter in the mail in a couple of weeks. The operator was CrossCountry.
I was travelling from Nottingham to Birmingham New St. Since this is my first (Hopefully last) time being stuck in a situation like this... what would happen normally.
I read on google that I would now get fines £100 and the original far of the ticket. If I pay this fine early, will it get reduced.
This is my first offence... should i be worried about getting prosecuted.
£100 (reduced to £50 for prompt payment) plus fare is the Penalty Fare. You were not issued with a Penalty Fare.
You will normally get a letter (unless they decide not to follow it up, which is very unlikely) in a few weeks/ possibly months indicating that they are considering prosecution but asking you for your side of the story.
Generally they will agree an out of court settlement if you co-operate - often around £150 + cost of ticket - but prosecution is still an option for them. Come back on here when you get your letter and you will get good advice from people on here more expert than me!
Hi. Im embarrassed to be writing this but Today a ticket inspector caught me travelling without a valid ticket. They note down my details... took a picture of my ID and said that I would receive a letter in the mail in a couple of weeks. The operator was CrossCountry.
I was travelling from Nottingham to Birmingham New St. Since this is my first (Hopefully last) time being stuck in a situation like this... what would happen normally.
I read on google that I would now get fines £100 and the original far of the ticket. If I pay this fine early, will it get reduced.
This is my first offence... should i be worried about getting prosecuted.
You will certainly need help from this forum to resolve this.
Cross country trains or their fares enforcement contractor ITAL take a hard line on this and are difficult to deal with.
What you have read on line applies to Penalty Fares. This isn’t what has happened to you. I suspect you have been subject to a ticket irregularity report which is the first step in a process that can potentially end up being prosecuted in court for a criminal offence if travelling without a valid ticket.
You need to prepare yourself for this and how to deal with it to prevent that happening if you can.
Did your ID have a correct address on it for you? It’s VITAL you receive anything they post you or email so also check spam, and that you respond to it or it will automatically escalate to prosecution and the next you know is papers from the court being served.
Head back here for assistance on what to do when you hear from them, but it will help if you can outline why your ticket wasn’t valid so people can tell you what to expect.
They won't ask you to pay a penalty fares, a penalty fares has to be issued at the time where you receive a notice, Crosscountry are also not in any Penalty Fare scheme and do not issue penalty fares.
You've likely been reported for prosecution so you'll have to wait for the letter from them.
You will certainly need help from this forum to resolve this.
Cross country trains or their fares enforcement contractor ITAL take a hard line on this and are difficult to deal with.
What you have read on line applies to Penalty Fares. This isn’t what has happened to you. I suspect you have been subject to a ticket irregularity report which is the first step in a process that can potentially end up being prosecuted in court for a criminal offence if travelling without a valid ticket.
You need to prepare yourself for this and how to deal with it to prevent that happening if you can.
Did your ID have a correct address on it for you? It’s VITAL you receive anything they post you or email so also check spam, and that you respond to it or it will automatically escalate to prosecution and the next you know is papers from the court being served.
Head back here for assistance on what to do when you hear from them, but it will help if you can outline why your ticket wasn’t valid so people can tell you what to expect.
Yes I did have a my ID. They gave me a receipt which I had to fill out. Gave them my email, my address and the ticket inspector took a photo or my learner license.
I got on the train without a ticket. The ticket inspector did give me a chance to buy the ticket but I couldn't afford it.
Prepare myself for this? I am sorry but If I am ready to pay the penalty and comply with them won't I be fine. Or will this matter escalate?
I don't think there should be a problem in a scenario where the accused is willing to pay the penalty.
I am new to this... so please correct me where I am wrong.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
£100 (reduced to £50 for prompt payment) plus fare is the Penalty Fare. You were not issued with a Penalty Fare.
You will normally get a letter (unless they decide not to follow it up, which is very unlikely) in a few weeks/ possibly months indicating that they are considering prosecution but asking you for your side of the story.
Generally they will agree an out of court settlement if you co-operate - often around £150 + cost of ticket - but prosecution is still an option for them. Come back on here when you get your letter and you will get good advice from people on here more expert than me!
You will certainly need help from this forum to resolve this.
Cross country trains or their fares enforcement contractor ITAL take a hard line on this and are difficult to deal with.
What you have read on line applies to Penalty Fares. This isn’t what has happened to you. I suspect you have been subject to a ticket irregularity report which is the first step in a process that can potentially end up being prosecuted in court for a criminal offence if travelling without a valid ticket.
You need to prepare yourself for this and how to deal with it to prevent that happening if you can.
Did your ID have a correct address on it for you? It’s VITAL you receive anything they post you or email so also check spam, and that you respond to it or it will automatically escalate to prosecution and the next you know is papers from the court being served.
Head back here for assistance on what to do when you hear from them, but it will help if you can outline why your ticket wasn’t valid so people can tell you what to expect.
I bet you would. But that’s not going to happen I’m afraid.
Forget about the posters you see on stations threatening a Penalty Fare.
These are the least worst sanction on offer but you have not received that
You will gave to wait for t hem to contact you and see what they say or ask of you.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Yes I did have a my ID. They gave me a receipt which I had to fill out. Gave them my email, my address and the ticket inspector took a photo or my learner license.
By telling them you could not afford to buy a ticket when that option was given you have essentially already admitted to deliberately evading the fare I suspect.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
This is a case involving cross country. You should not panic by the sum mentioned, the circumstances are different than yours, this involves forgetting to renew a railcard as opposed to deliberately not paying the fare.
But it will give you an idea how Cross Country deal with these things and the letters uploaded might give a sense of what to expect.
Hi everyone, I’d really appreciate some advice as I’m feeling quite overwhelmed. I’m a university student and between September and 23 November, I was travelling back and forth between Birmingham and Leeds, mainly using CrossCountry. During this period, I was booking tickets using the wrong...
Do you mean first time you were caught without a valid ticket?
Or first time you have ever travelled without valid ticket?
I’m betting on the former or otherwise you have been very unlucky
I bet you would. But that’s not going to happen I’m afraid.
Forget about the posters you see on stations threatening a Penalty Fare.
These are the least worst sanction on offer but you have not received that
You will gave to wait for t hem to contact you and see what they say or ask of you.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Ok. Watch out for a letter or email and check spam
What’s done is done but by not being able to pay you have missed the chance to resolve this at the lowest cost to you
The penalty would be court and a criminal record. Unless you can seek to persuade them to allow you to make an out of court settlement.
If you do not respond to them when they contact you yes it will escalate.
It doesn’t matter what you think sadly.
No. There is no right of appeal. And no obligation on them to settle out if court if they don’t wish to I’m afraid.
By telling them you could not afford to buy a ticket when that option was given you have essentially already admitted to deliberately evading the fare I suspect.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
This is a case involving cross country. You should not panic by the sum mentioned, the circumstances are different than yours, this involves forgetting to renew a railcard as opposed to deliberately not paying the fare.
But it will give you an idea how Cross Country deal with these things and the letters uploaded might give a sense of what to expect.
Hi everyone, I’d really appreciate some advice as I’m feeling quite overwhelmed. I’m a university student and between September and 23 November, I was travelling back and forth between Birmingham and Leeds, mainly using CrossCountry. During this period, I was booking tickets using the wrong...
Do you mean first time you were caught without a valid ticket?
Or first time you have ever travelled without valid ticket?
I’m betting on the former or otherwise you have been very unlucky
But your thread title suggests that what happened was an accident. Can you indicate a bit more about what you mean by that?
It might help us understand the nature of the issue.
I bet you would. But that’s not going to happen I’m afraid.
Forget about the posters you see on stations threatening a Penalty Fare.
These are the least worst sanction on offer but you have not received that
You will gave to wait for t hem to contact you and see what they say or ask of you.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Ok. Watch out for a letter or email and check spam
What’s done is done but by not being able to pay you have missed the chance to resolve this at the lowest cost to you
The penalty would be court and a criminal record. Unless you can seek to persuade them to allow you to make an out of court settlement.
If you do not respond to them when they contact you yes it will escalate.
It doesn’t matter what you think sadly.
No. There is no right of appeal. And no obligation on them to settle out if court if they don’t wish to I’m afraid.
By telling them you could not afford to buy a ticket when that option was given you have essentially already admitted to deliberately evading the fare I suspect.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
This is a case involving cross country. You should not panic by the sum mentioned, the circumstances are different than yours, this involves forgetting to renew a railcard as opposed to deliberately not paying the fare.
But it will give you an idea how Cross Country deal with these things and the letters uploaded might give a sense of what to expect.
Hi everyone, I’d really appreciate some advice as I’m feeling quite overwhelmed. I’m a university student and between September and 23 November, I was travelling back and forth between Birmingham and Leeds, mainly using CrossCountry. During this period, I was booking tickets using the wrong...
I will completely be honest here. I thought I had bought the ticket before getting on the train but I didn't have money and my card got declined. Since I was in a hurry... I didn't check and just assumed I had bought the ticket.
When I was asked to present a ticket... I did not have it. The inspector asked me to buy it on the train but unfortunately I had no money. It was 4 times the price so obviously there was no chance of me paying it then and there.
From what I have understood from your replies is that now I have no choice and would likely be summoned to court. Even if I co-operate with them, show remorse and be willing to pay the fine.
How did you enter Nottingham Station without a ticket? And had you planned to do this or was it just an opportunity that you spotted you could take advantage of?
(I.e. To what degree will they see deliberate intent in the way you reached the train?)
Do you have any app or ticketing account linked to the personal details you gave them? If so, they might look at the record of ticket purchases - would they see anything that might look suspicious?
(I.e. will they see this as a one-off, or will they see a pattern?)
No. Because prison isn’t an option under the sentencing guidelines for this offence.
But hundreds of people get prosecuted, found guilty in a magistrates court and fined for travelling without a ticket or a valid ticket every year. That results in a criminal record until that is ‘spent’. Thousands of people I suspect.
In addition the railway companies agree out of court settlements with hundreds of people too, many as a result of help from this forum that you can read about on numerous other threads.
But it sounds like you had the view that not paying your fare worst case was a £100 penalty fare like you see on posters at stations. Unfortunately that is not the case.
How did you enter Nottingham Station without a ticket? And had you planned to do this or was it just an opportunity that you spotted you could take advantage of?
(I.e. To what degree will they see deliberate intent in the way you reached the train?)
Do you have any app or ticketing account linked to the personal details you gave them? If so, they might look at the record of ticket purchases - would they see anything that might look suspicious?
(I.e. will they see this as a one-off, or will they see a pattern?)
I got off the tram and walked down to the platform. You can get on the platforms if you take a tram without having to go through the gates.
I have attached pictures of my travel history with train line. This is the only account I have and I don't think they should notice anything wrong with my account. I refunded a few tickets that I did not need. This account is linked to the email I gave them.
I will completely be honest here. I thought I had bought the ticket before getting on the train but I didn't have money and my card got declined. Since I was in a hurry... I didn't check and just assumed I had bought the ticket.
When I was asked to present a ticket... I did not have it. The inspector asked me to buy it on the train but unfortunately I had no money. It was 4 times the price so obviously there was no chance of me paying it then and there.
“Even if I co-operate with them, show remorse and be willing to pay the fine.”
This is what you need to do. Unfortunately cross country trains are often difficult to deal with especially if they use their enforcement sub contractor ITAL.
But seeking that objective needs to be your plan. It should be possible but it’s not always straightforward.
No. Because prison isn’t an option under the sentencing guidelines for this offence.
But hundreds of people get prosecuted, found guilty in a magistrates court and fined for travelling without a ticket or a valid ticket every year. That results in a criminal record until that is ‘spent’. Thousands of people I suspect.
In addition the railway companies agree out of court settlements with hundreds of people too, many as a result of help from this forum that you can read about on numerous other threads.
But it sounds like you had the view that not paying your fare worst case was a £100 penalty fare like you see on posters at stations. Unfortunately that is not the case.
You would only get a criminal record if they prosecuted you. Your objective is to avoid that, usually by seeking an out of court settlement (sometimes they just write demanding a sum of money usually made up of the Anytime peak fare plus an admin fee of maybe around £100 -,that is essentially an out of court offer). Pay it and things are concluded and no criminal record.
If they don’t do that then you have to persuade them to do it. This is often ultimately possible.
Yes, you do have a good chance of achieving this, but that chance will be increased by following advice from here when they contact you.
Is there any record on your phone etc of your attempt to buy a ticket? If so screenshot it or save it now, just in case you might need it to prove your story that you thought you had bought a ticket before you got on the train in a hurry.
This is better than for example realising you didn’t have enough money for a ticket and deciding to bunk the train journey anyway.
You are spiralling a little here and it's not necessary for you to do so. It is unlikely anything bad is going to happen apart from paying them money. Please try to not let it get to you. Please just wait for them to write to you and then you can get further advice.
If you never get on the train without being certain you already have a valid ticket with you in future it won't come up again.
How did you enter Nottingham Station without a ticket? And had you planned to do this or was it just an opportunity that you spotted you could take advantage of?
(I.e. To what degree will they see deliberate intent in the way you reached the train?)
Do you have any app or ticketing account linked to the personal details you gave them? If so, they might look at the record of ticket purchases - would they see anything that might look suspicious?
(I.e. will they see this as a one-off, or will they see a pattern?)
Cross platform footbridge is a right of way so is open and permits access to all
Platforms via stairs. Tho recently the stairs are closed from 19.00hrs until morning and all say at weekends which denies platform access via this route. But daytime it’s easy to access platforms without a ticket gate check in Nottingham, and many legitimate travelers would do this.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
You are spiralling a little here and it's not necessary for you to do so. It is unlikely anything bad is going to happen apart from paying them money. Please try to not let it get to you. Please just wait for them to write to you and then you can get further advice.
If you never get on the train without being certain you already have a valid ticket with you in future it won't come up again.
You are spiralling a little here and it's not necessary for you to do so. It is unlikely anything bad is going to happen apart from paying them money. Please try to not let it get to you. Please just wait for them to write to you and then you can get further advice.
If you never get on the train without being certain you already have a valid ticket with you in future it won't come up again
You would only get a criminal record if they prosecuted you. Your objective is to avoid that, usually by seeking an out of court settlement (sometimes they just write demanding a sum of money usually made up of the Anytime peak fare plus an admin fee of maybe around £100 -,that is essentially an out of court offer). Pay it and things are concluded and no criminal record.
If they don’t do that then you have to persuade them to do it. This is often ultimately possible.
Yes, you do have a good chance of achieving this, but that chance will be increased by following advice from here when they contact you.
Is there any record on your phone etc of your attempt to buy a ticket? If so screenshot it or save it now, just in case you might need it to prove your story that you thought you had bought a ticket before you got on the train in a hurry.
This is better than for example realising you didn’t have enough money for a ticket and deciding to bunk the train journey anyway.
I have no intention of ignoring this. This happened today and I posted as soon as I found out about this forum. I will keep posting as I get updates about this.
Bunking trains is not something I do. I take this train a couple times a month and I think it's evident in my screenshots that I purchase my tickets. Will my travel history help?
I have no intention of ignoring this. This happened today and I posted as soon as I found out about this forum. I will keep posting as I get updates about this.
Bunking trains is not something I do. I take this train a couple times a month and I think it's evident in my screenshots that I purchase my tickets. Will my travel history help?
It might do and it won’t do any harm either. If it helps substantiate your argument that this was one off unexpected occurrence that’s no bad thing imho.
Not sure to be honest. But keep it just in case if possible. You don’t necessarily have to use it
Good plan
It might do and it won’t do any harm either. If it helps substantiate your argument that this was one off unexpected occurrence that’s no bad thing imho.
You will get good help here as things progress. Might be a few weeks before you hear from them. Make sure you keep an eye on your post.
Thank you so much everyone who took the time to reply. This isn't exactly how one would imagine starting an easter break, but I really appreciate everyone's help.
I will keep everyone posted but until then... please wish me luck. The last thing I would want is for me to be going to court around the same time I have my finals exams.
Thank you so much everyone who took the time to reply. This isn't exactly how one would imagine starting an easter break, but I really appreciate everyone's help.
I will keep everyone posted but until then... please wish me luck. The last thing I would want is for me to be going to court around the same time I have my finals exams.
You do have a decent chance of settling this, but ITAL on behalf of CrossCountry tend to be difficult to deal with and this may take some work and persistence. We can help you through the process. In the meantime, start saving, as ITAL often charge extortionate admin fees, so this one off could potentially cost as much as £500 to settle. It very likely will not be that much but if a settlement is offered you'll need to pay it promptly and so it makes sense to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
We are aware of an issue with emails from the Forum to Microsoft-based email accounts (hotmail/outlook/live.com email addresses). This is being looked into currently, thanks for your patience meanwhile.
