Potential prosecution

[twistedgloom]

I was recently traveling to Manchester station. I’d bought a return ticket the day before but couldn’t find it so intended to buy a new single.

I thought I had purchased my ticket but came to the ticket barriers and saw that the Apple Pay didn’t go through. There are always barriers at this station and the ticket is only £6 so I didn’t intend to evade my fare it was simply a mistake.

I bought another ticket and I explained the situation to the station staff and showed them the ticket which they scanned. They said they will be issuing a penalty fare notice as the ticket is invalid due to it being for the wrong train time. I refused to give my details but of course they can find them from the scanned e-ticket.

One staff member said if I find a valid ticket I can leave the station and eventually I did find my paper ticket. I exited the station with the ticket and then went back to tell them I found the ticket and am leaving. They said because I didn’t show them the ticket I have committed fraud and they will get my details and prosecute. He said I need to show him the valid ticket but it was already in the machine so this was not possible. Based on what they said I believe they think I bought a new ticket on my phone but this is not the case. I also didn’t exit using the previous invalid ticket they scanned as I got it refunded on the Trainline app. I showed them the paper receipts that I had but this did not change their stance.

What is the likelihood of a successful prosecution? Will I be able to submit my evidence of the valid ticket I have that was purchased the previous day? I kept all the receipts but don’t have the return journey as i inserted it in the machine.

Sorry for the long post and appreciate any advice.

 

[island]

When you chose not to give your name, address, and date of birth you committed a criminal offence which they can prosecute you for. I'm not sure you committed any other offences. You will have to wait to see if they contact you – and if you receive a letter/email please post it up here so we can advise.

 

[twistedgloom]

When you chose not to give your name, address, and date of birth you committed a criminal offence which they can prosecute you for. I'm not sure you committed any other offences. You will have to wait to see if they contact you – and if you receive a letter/email please post it up here so we can advise.

Thanks for your reply. we were going back and forth in the station for a bit and they said I’d need to speak to someone else to issue the penalty fare, I wasn’t speaking with the people who actually issue the fare. But fair enough if this is an offence. May I ask what the specific offence is?

I guess I’ll wait to see if they follow through with it and keep hold of my receipts.

 

[ikcdab]

It's regulation 13 of the Penalty Fares Regulations. see:

The Railways (Penalty Fares) Regulations 2018

These Regulations make provision for the charging of penalty fares for the failure to produce, when required to do so, a ticket or other authority authorising a person to travel by train or to be present in a compulsory ticket area at a station.

www.legislation.gov.uk

 

[twistedgloom]

It's regulation 13 of the Penalty Fares Regulations. see:

The Railways (Penalty Fares) Regulations 2018

These Regulations make provision for the charging of penalty fares for the failure to produce, when required to do so, a ticket or other authority authorising a person to travel by train or to be present in a compulsory ticket area at a station.

www.legislation.gov.uk

Thanks for this! I will await their response!