Travel incident report

[scAredycatttt]

I took a train from Cardiff central to Barry central. I went through the barriers using my student Railcard that is for another station, the Railcard I used is Cardiff central to Caerphilly. I did this because I was rushing as I could see the train coming and the trains after were cancelled. I understand this is not allowed I was just so stressed, and I am upset with myself for doing so. I was expecting a train inspector to come through the train so I could buy a ticket, but one never did.

when arriving to Barry central I got confronted and panicked. I have extreme anxiety and I have Pseudoseizures ( stress seizures ). When stressed my brain goes blank because of this. There was also a taxi waiting for me that was about to leave, which added to the stress. I told them that I got on at cadoxton, a station two stops beforehand. I did this because I was scared about what they would say if I told them the truth and because my mind went blank, as well as the fact that I was rushing. I showed them my id when asked and gave them my address. I am so disappointed with myself and I want to tell them the truth, but I don't know what would happen. Im newly 18 and have never been in this situation before so I'm scared. I know this is wrong but I don't know what to do.

I was issued a Transport for Wales Travel Incident Report receipt. I was told I would receive a letter in 28 days and advised to do what it says quickly.

In the meantime I am extremely panicked and concerned and would like any information on how bad the outcome is likely to be.

My questions are:

1. How likely are they, in the first instance, to want to pursue prosecution/court?

2. Roughly how much are the fines for this sort of thing? I don't mind how much I just want this to be put behind me.

3. Do I tell them the truth?

4.what are the best-case and worst-case outcomes?

I know this was incredibly stupid, I just don't know what to do I am aware that I did multiple things wrong, but please I'd appreciate any reassurance anyone can provide.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

Welcome to the forum!

I will leave the rest to more knowledgeable experts, but in short, don't panic and remember to stay calm. The worst that can happen is a court fine, and good news, if it's under Byelaw 18 which is what most TOCs tend to use, then it's a non recordable criminal offence that's considered "spent" after a year!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Mar 2023 ==

There is however a good possibility (although it's not easy and again, the more knowledgeable experts will explain why this is the case) that you will be able to settle this matter out of court (it may look a fine but it's not) to avoid a criminal record.

 

[scAredycatttt]

Welcome to the forum!

I will leave the rest to more knowledgeable experts, but in short, don't panic and remember to stay calm. The worst that can happen is a court fine, and good news, if it's under Byelaw 18 which is what most TOCs tend to use, then it's a non recordable criminal offence that's considered "spent" after a year!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Mar 2023 ==

There is however a good possibility (although it's not easy and again, the more knowledgeable experts will explain why this is the case) that you will be able to settle this matter out of court (it may look a fine but it's not) to avoid a criminal record.

thank you for your reply, I honestly would not have done this if I was in the right state of mind.

 

[AstowJ]

Hey, I went through something similar with the same TOC in Cardiff and wanted to share my thread so you van see how that went. Obviously it doesn't mean it will be the same for you, but my anxiety was lessened by seeing the resolutions of other, similar incidents:

[RESOLVED] Potential Prosecution

Update: I've received this letter which unless I'm really mistaken is incredibly good news and this is hopefully the end of it. Thank you to everyone that supported and I really appreciated it so much. I was expected multiple letter and further correspondence and I'm so happy that it's been...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[scAredycatttt]

Hey, I went through something similar with the same TOC in Cardiff and wanted to share my thread so you van see how that went. Obviously it doesn't mean it will be the same for you, but my anxiety was lessened by seeing the resolutions of other, similar incidents:

[RESOLVED] Potential Prosecution

Update: I've received this letter which unless I'm really mistaken is incredibly good news and this is hopefully the end of it. Thank you to everyone that supported and I really appreciated it so much. I was expected multiple letter and further correspondence and I'm so happy that it's been...

www.railforums.co.uk

thank you so much, I went through your thread and I feel so much better. Hopefully it all goes well for me, still anxious but thank you

 

[island]

I was issued a Transport for Wales Travel Incident Report receipt. I was told I would receive a letter in 28 days and advised to do what it says quickly.

In the meantime I am extremely panicked and concerned and would like any information on how bad the outcome is likely to be.

My questions are:

1. How likely are they, in the first instance, to want to pursue prosecution/court?

TfW or their agents will write out to you, usually you'll have to go back and forth with them a bit but it's likely you'll be able to settle out of court.

2. Roughly how much are the fines for this sort of thing? I don't mind how much I just want this to be put behind me.

On a point of terminology, a "fine" will only arise if this proceeds to court and you are convicted. You are likely to be able to settle the matter out of course: this amount for a first offence typically comes to £100 plus the fare avoided, though it can be higher or (occasionally) lower.

3. Do I tell them the truth?

Yes. 100%.

4.what are the best-case and worst-case outcomes?

The best case is they allow you to pay the fare you skipped out on on the day. The worst case is you get taken through court for fare evasion under the Regulation of Railways Act 1889 and end up with a criminal record, a fine of up to £1,400*, costs, and compensation.

I took a train from Cardiff central to Barry central. I went through the barriers using my student Railcard that is for another station, the Railcard I used is Cardiff central to Caerphilly.

On a point of terminology, what you have described is not a Railcard. A Railcard is a card used in association with a ticket to obtain a discount. One such Railcard is the 16-25 Railcard, which you are entitled to and may have.

A card or ticket that allows you to make unlimited journeys for a week, a month, or some other period of time is called a season ticket.

When replying to TfW or their agents it's important to use the correct terminology so you don't cause confusion.

I have extreme anxiety and I have Pseudoseizures ( stress seizures ). When stressed my brain goes blank because of this.

Please don't take this the wrong way but a great many people on this forum seem to find when challenged for a ticket violation that they have anxiety or panic attacks or similar conditions that very coincidentally all result in them identifying a shorter journey than the journey actually made, and none ever identify a longer one.

As such, unless you have documentary medical evidence of these "pseudoseizures" and their effect on you, I would not recommend referring to them in your reply to TfW or their agents.

I know this was incredibly stupid, I just don't know what to do I am aware that I did multiple things wrong, but please I'd appreciate any reassurance anyone can provide.

It's not the end of the world. Unless you're a persistent offender you're not going to prison or anything, you'll probably have to pay some money to settle this but you'll be able to get on with your life.

*Since 16 June 2022, all criminal court fines are increased by a surcharge of 40%.