Short faring

[09482]

Hello, I really need your help!
I recently got caught ‘short faring’.
I boarded at train at Heath High level station to Cardiff Bay (there was one change at Cardiff Queen street). Usually I would buy a ticket at the station before I got on the train, but on this one occasion I didn’t, with the aim of buying one on the train. However, by the time I got off at Cardiff Bay no one had come to scan my ticket, so I was forced to buy one on my phone once I got off the train.
Unfortunately in the rush and panic I bought accidentally bought a single ticket from Cardiff Queen Street to Cardiff Bay as this was the fare I had up on my phone as I had previously used my phone to see what platform to board the second train from. I obviously can’t deny buying a late ticket or the wrong ticket, but it was a complete accident, and so have never done this before.
I was told by the staff at the station that I would simply receive a letter in the post stating I need to pay the fare plus the fine. Which is obviously annoying, but understandable.
However, I have received a letter in the post giving me the opportunity to give any form of mitigation that I wish to be considered and that in the absence of a satisfactory explanation then they have tie warrant to prosecute.
I am really worried by this. I have a high stakes job and really would suffer with a criminal record. This was completely accidental, and I feel so bad about everything that happened. I had no intention of not paying for a ticket. I can’t deny paying for a ticket at the end of my journey rather than the beginning (all be it stupidly the wrong one), but I would have done this regardless of there being staff at the end of the station or not, and I do think the presence of them rushed me and made me anxious that I bought the wrong one in panic.

Please help, I am very stressed!

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Welcome to the forum.

Firstly, cut the emotive language, you were not "forced" to buy a ticket. Why didn't you buy a ticket at Heath High Level before boarding the train?

You will have to wait for the letter and then post back here for further advice on what to do next. The experts here will then suitably advise

 

[notmyrealname]

Hi.

Could you post their letter on here please, for the experts to have a look at? Cover up your name and address and their reference.

They will quite possibly go back through your ticket buying history. Are you confident they won't find any other irregularities?

If you write back to them with help from the forum, it's still possible to stop this going to court.

 

[09482]

Thanks for the reply!

You’re right, I wasn’t forced, I meant that in terms that it was my last option.
I didn’t buy a ticket on before boarding the train as I was in a rush before boarding. I know this is no excuse for not buying a ticket, but I saw at least two ticket staff boarding the train at the time I was boarding so I didn’t think buying a ticket on the train would be an issue. It hasn’t been before.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Jul 2024 ==

Hi.

Could you post their letter on here please, for the experts to have a look at? Cover up your name and address and their reference.

They will quite possibly go back through your ticket buying history. Are you confident they won't find any other irregularities?

If you write back to them with help from the forum, it's still possible to stop this going to court.

 

[najaB]

I didn’t buy a ticket on before boarding the train as I was in a rush before boarding. I know this is no excuse for not buying a ticket, but I saw at least two ticket staff boarding the train at the time I was boarding so I didn’t think buying a ticket on the train would be an issue. It hasn’t been before.

So you have bought on the train having boarded at Heath High Level before?

Unfortunately in the rush and panic I bought accidentally bought a single ticket from Cardiff Queen Street to Cardiff Bay as this was the fare I had up on my phone as I had previously used my phone to see what platform to board the second train from.

What app are you using that shows real-time platform allocations and purchase options on the same screen? Sounds useful.

I am really worried by this. I have a high stakes job and really would suffer with a criminal record.

Its unlikely that a one-off matter like this would result in a criminal record. That would only happen in cases where there have been repeated instances of fare evasion, resulting in a more serious fraud charge.

 

[09482]

Hi.

Could you post their letter on here please, for the experts to have a look at? Cover up your name and address and their reference.

They will quite possibly go back through your ticket buying history. Are you confident they won't find any other irregularities?

If you write back to them with help from the forum, it's still possible to stop this going to court.

Hi, thanks for the reply. I have attached a copy of the letter. I am just very confused as the man who stopped me told me multiple times that I would simply get sent a letter asking me to pay a fine, then if I did not pay this then it would go to court. I was repeatedly told that if I pay the fine there was no risk of a criminal record.
I usually pay using a mix of the app or using the ticket machines at the stations. I am confident that there are no other irregularities.

 

[najaB]

I am just very confused as the man who stopped me told me multiple times that I would simply get sent a letter asking me to pay a fine, then if I did not pay this then it would go to court

Walk through the conversation again in your mind. Did he say that is what will happen, or did he actually say something more along the lines of that's what is likely to happen, or would probably happen?

I was repeatedly told that if I pay the fine there was no risk of a criminal record.

Speaking as a pedant, a fine is imposed by the court after a conviction. What you are wanting to achieve is an out of court settlement agreement with TfW.

I usually pay using a mix of the app or using the ticket machines at the stations. I am confident that there are no other irregularities.

As long as you can demonstrate a history of paying the correct fare then its probable that they will agree a settlement rather than taking the case through the courts.

 

[30907]

I suggest you look at posts on here from longstanding member @Hadders for the sort of things you might consider putting in an apologipetic letter asking if TfW would consider settling.

BTW a conviction for a breach of railway Byelaws is unlikely to worry most employers,

 

[Hadders]

To clarify a few things.

You must be in a possession of a valid ticket before you board a train. You commit a criminal offence if you don't. There are a handful of exceptions to this but they are highly unlikely to apply in this case.

Transport for Wales (and their contractor Transport Investigations Limited) are investigating how to proceed given that you were caught. It's highly likely that they will offer you an out of court settlement if you co-operate with them but they could prosecute you in the Magistrates Court if they want to. A short, concise reply mentioning the following points usually results ina favourable outcome:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the train company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter

If you are offered an out of court settlement expect if to have to pay the outstanding fare and an admin fee, typically around £150.

If you post a copy of your draft reply in this thread forum members will proof read it for you.

 

[RPI]

Hi, thanks for the reply. I have attached a copy of the letter. I am just very confused as the man who stopped me told me multiple times that I would simply get sent a letter asking me to pay a fine, then if I did not pay this then it would go to court. I was repeatedly told that if I pay the fine there was no risk of a criminal record.
I usually pay using a mix of the app or using the ticket machines at the stations. I am confident that there are no other irregularities.

That's basically what's happened, TIL are renowned for dragging their heels and from what people post on these forums, they often take more than one attempt to get an out of court settlement from (in layman's terms, that's just paying a "fine" and moving on), they may look at your booking history, reply to the letter saying you're sorry etc and would like to settle the matter, assuming that is that you accept that you were in the wrong, knowing TIL they'll probably send back another letter rebutting you but on the second time they'll probably accept.

When you receive a reply come back here and people will be able to help.

 

[leeching791]

May I know the outcome please as I face similar situation last month

 

[Kite159]

May I know the outcome please as I face similar situation last month

It's best to start your own thread as every body is unique.

 

[080808]

Hi, do you have any update on this please?

 

[najaB]

Hi, do you have any update on this please?

If you're asking this because you face a similar issue, then I suggest you start a new thread providing the information outlined in this post.