Have been reading the forum for many months, but just registered so I could post today. A positive story.
Was travelling Reading to Bond Street. Bought an off peak day travel card with my network card from TVM at the station.
My trip to Bond Street was fine, but on my way back I couldn't find my ticket. I searched everywhere and even retraced my steps from around the station but no sight of it.
I approached the staff at barrier and explained myself. I am 100% sure they have heard such stories a million times. I was pointed to another senior person who asked a few questions and told me something along the lines of: "you haven't started a journey so it's not fare evasion yet, I can allow you through but there will be many inspectors on the train and whether they accept your story or not is up to them. You could be given a penalty etc etc. So do you want me to let you through?" I said yes and got on.
Lo aand behold, hardly five minutes into the train around 6 inspectors appear. They check everyone's ticket.
Initially I only said I seem to have lost my ticket. He politely asked me to search my pockets/bag again while he waits. I thought why not and started searching again. I found many old tickets from past 3 months but not this one. I explained to him what happened and even showed him the receipt of today's ticket (which isn't valid for travel on its own). He asked me what journey I took, what time, how often I make the trip etc. He also asked to see the other ones I had.
He told me that I risked a penalty notice, but in one of the old stash, I had a Manchester to Reading open return which was due to expire in 2 days time. He asked me more about that trip, which I found odd. I told him I went there but came back in a lift from a friend. He scanned that return portion and simply told me that he will let me off as he was convinced I wasn't evading the fare, and that the return portion was technically valid for the trip I was making, so he will accept that.
Some inspectors are kind and want to help if you are honest with them.
Was travelling Reading to Bond Street. Bought an off peak day travel card with my network card from TVM at the station.
My trip to Bond Street was fine, but on my way back I couldn't find my ticket. I searched everywhere and even retraced my steps from around the station but no sight of it.
I approached the staff at barrier and explained myself. I am 100% sure they have heard such stories a million times. I was pointed to another senior person who asked a few questions and told me something along the lines of: "you haven't started a journey so it's not fare evasion yet, I can allow you through but there will be many inspectors on the train and whether they accept your story or not is up to them. You could be given a penalty etc etc. So do you want me to let you through?" I said yes and got on.
Lo aand behold, hardly five minutes into the train around 6 inspectors appear. They check everyone's ticket.
Initially I only said I seem to have lost my ticket. He politely asked me to search my pockets/bag again while he waits. I thought why not and started searching again. I found many old tickets from past 3 months but not this one. I explained to him what happened and even showed him the receipt of today's ticket (which isn't valid for travel on its own). He asked me what journey I took, what time, how often I make the trip etc. He also asked to see the other ones I had.
He told me that I risked a penalty notice, but in one of the old stash, I had a Manchester to Reading open return which was due to expire in 2 days time. He asked me more about that trip, which I found odd. I told him I went there but came back in a lift from a friend. He scanned that return portion and simply told me that he will let me off as he was convinced I wasn't evading the fare, and that the return portion was technically valid for the trip I was making, so he will accept that.
Some inspectors are kind and want to help if you are honest with them.
