Rail

[Pari]

Re: Request for Advice and Possible Out-of-Court SettlementI am writing to seek your advice and assistance regarding an incident that occurred at Birmingham Railway Station last week travelling from London. I am really ashamed of myself and can't believe how I could do this. I was caught travelling on a child ticket, a mistake I deeply regret.I fully acknowledge that my actions were irresponsible and wrong. This is my first encounter with any legal issues, and I am extremely remorseful. I have always strived to be a law-abiding citizen, but sometimes financial hardships can lead to poor decisions. family relies heavily on my support, and I am gravely concerned about the impact this situation could have on them, particularly my father, who may not handle the stress well.Given these circumstances, I am hoping to resolve this matter without going to court or acquiring a criminal record.

 

[optimuspr1me]

Which rail provider is this for?

 

[Pari]

Which rail provider is this for?

West midlands railway

 

[Gloster]

If you have received any paperwork from the railway company please post it in this thread. Please obscure your name, address and any identifying details, such as reference numbers. This will help the experts to know exactly what the matter is, how it is being handled and what stage it has reached.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

@Pari. Welcome to the forum. A few questions... Just how many previous times had you purchased/used child tickets? And what's been the typical journey made? Easy enough for the train company's investigation team to check this if the various tickets have been purchased online, using the likes of 'Trainline'. If you engage positively with the train company, it *should* be possible to resolve the matter by negotiating a so-called "out of court settlement", although this will come at a £££ cost.

By the way, just how old are you? 'Child' tickets are meant for young persons aged 5-15. However, legitimate ticket savings can be made by railcard holders. So, moving forward, do you qualify for a railcard?

 

[Cuthbert]

Hello Pari,

Do you know how many times you have bought a child ticket?

West Midlands Railway will more likely ask for an out of court settlement.
They will check your previous history if the ticket was bought through an app.
They will charge the standard single fare for the out ward journey and another for the return journey if you bought returns.
They will also add an admin fee of up to £175 depending how many times you have done this.
When they send a letter which can take a few weeks to a couple of months post the letter here for the experienced guys to read. You need to blank out any personal details and also the Reference number.

They have up to six months to get the investigation to court.
All you have to do now is wait for the letter.

 

[John R]

Just to say that at this stage there is no benefit in consulting a solicitor, with the fees involved. Once you get the letter, post it here, and we can give assistance in how to respond to maximise your chances of being offered an out of court settlement.

Only if that is unsuccessful would it be worth appointing a solicitor to act for you, but I would think there is a good chance that if you engage with the process once contacted that it won't be necessary.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

I am the primary caretaker for my elderly parents and my sister, who was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder two years ago and is unable to work. My family relies heavily on my support, and I am gravely concerned about the impact this situation could have on them, particularly my father, who may not handle the stress well.

In the circumstances, I can see that your family may be worried that you will not be available to care for them. If that's the case, then we can reassure you - it is, in practical terms, impossible for you to go to prison for this*. Even if the matter gets as far as court and you are convicted, then the punishment will be a fine (plus costs, compensation and so on - so all money). So there should be nothing to stop you going home after your court case and carrying on supporting your family.

*More fully:
- if prosecuted under the railway byelaws, the only sanction is a fine - so you cannot go to prison
- if prosecuted under the Regulation of Railways Act, while imprisonment is an option given in the Act, the sentencing guidelines only allow a fine - so you cannot go to prison
- if one of the very few fare dodgers to be prosecuted for fraud, given the current state of the prisons and the nature of the offence, it strikes me as staggeringly unlikely that a judge would occupy a scarce place in prison with a non-violent offender who was not an immediate threat to the safety of the community.

 

[Pari]

If you have received any paperwork from the railway company please post it in this thread. Please obscure your name, address and any identifying details, such as reference numbers. This will help the experts to know exactly what the matter is, how it is being handled and what stage it has reached.

I have not received any paperwork