Thanks to this forum

[26_Paz]

Hi all,

I never actually posted with my initial problem but I read literally hundreds of posts on here to inform me how to proceed.

Anyway, I've heard today that they will settle out of court. This is such a relief as I could have lost my job if convicted.

I just wanted to thank all the regular (informed) posters on here for the advice they post, it has kept me sane over the past couple of months. You guys do a great service, I've never been involved in anything like this before and wouldn't have had a clue if it wasn't for this forum.

Although what I did was a genuine mistake, I've certainly learnt my lesson and will pay much more attention to make sure I have the right ticket in future. As much as I love you guys I don't want to be back!!

Anyone going through what I went through, stay calm and listen to the advice of the guys on here.

 

[headshot119]

Thank you for taking the time to register and let us know how helpful the forum has been. I'm glad you had a good outcome for yourself, as long as you learn from it that is the main thing.

 

[26_Paz]

No, thank you guys. I was so worried about this reading this helped no end.

I've definitely learnt from it. I thought my railcard was on my person ... turns out it wasn't! I'll be double checking before I hit that button on the ticket machine in future!

 

[Busaholic]

No, thank you guys. I was so worried about this reading this helped no end.

I've definitely learnt from it. I thought my railcard was in my wallet ... turns out it wasn't! I'll be double checking before I hit that button on the ticket machine in future!

If this event was as you report, then it would be absolutely invidious to be prosecuted, given that your ownership of a paid-for railcard could be established. If it could not be established, that is a different matter. Prosecutions for such matters should be taken out of the hands of TOCs and taken by a nationwide body connected to Network Rail, to whom said TOCs would have to submit detailed individual cases, and only that body could initiate criminal prosecutions. I suspect then that the number of prosecutions might fall, but probably only because a couple of TOCs would find their enthusiasm for such action was curbed.

I'm ex-Probation Service by the way, so probably will be dismissed as a liberal whinger, but I couldn't care less.

 

[26_Paz]

The machine asks you to confirm railcard is on your person, I clicked yes. Railcard was not on my person. Guilty as charged I'm afraid.

 

[najaB]

If this event was as you report, then it would be absolutely invidious to be prosecuted, given that your ownership of a paid-for railcard could be established.

A railcard discounted ticket is only valid when presented with the railcard. No valid ticket = potential prosecution.

As 26_Paz found out, TOCs are more likely to settle than prosecute.

 

[gray1404]

Which train company was the problem with and how much did they decide to settle for?

 

[yorkie]

Glad to hear this forum has been useful. We aim to be good for pre-travel advice too, so now you're a member (welcome, by the way!) you may wish to post queries in Fares Advice & Policy

Our RailUK Fares & Ticketing Guide is well worth a read too.

I'd also like to use this as a reminder to all that many of our readers are not members and almost every thread asking for advice is quite likely to be picked up by people other than the person originally asking the question.

So it's important to give comprehensive, accurate advice, and to try to avoid going too off-topic, as sometimes happens.

That way, we can ensure the forum remains an informative resource for many people.

Which train company was the problem with and how much did they decide to settle for?

I was about to say "it's in the original post", but I see it's been edited out, so clearly 26_Paz has subsequently decided it's best left out of the public domain.

You can send 26_Paz a PM if you wish.