Advice - Bus Inspector Penalty fare

MartinLewisisalegend

I get the train to work from Romford to London every day. As I am trying to save some cash I don't buy a Travelcard anymore but only a train ticket to London excluding tube.

However, I have been using the Bus as I thought this ticket covered bus travel.

This morning an inspector asked for everyone's tickets and I showed him mine. He said to take it out of my holder and I did, he proceeded to keep the ticket in a pocket book and refused to give it back saying I didn't have the correct ticket and had to pay a £20 fine!!

I said I wouldn't pay and was getting off at the next stop, could I have my (£130) season ticket back. He refused saying I had to give him the £20 - I had to get off or I would be late to work.

I intend on claiming back for a lost ticket which I can do as I have my credit card receipt, however can they trace me as the ticket has my Photocard number on?

The inspector was really rude and got me so angry - I hope someone can help.

x

tinkerbell84

Why would you think that your train ticket covered bus travel?

Conor_3

Firstly, whatever possessed you to think it covered bus travel? Buses have nothing to do with the trains.
Secondly, the penalty fare is correct. From 11th January, it'll increase to £50. Yes they can trace you and yes you'll get a fine. It's quite possible you'll get a visit from the Police because you've actually committed a criminal offence under the Public Service Vehicle Regulations. Oh, and the fine you get will be far far more than the penalty fare was and you'll also have a criminal record.The maximum penalty for fare evasion is £1000 and you'd also have a criminal record which you would have to declare on any job applications and would also show up on a CRB check.

You've given up any right to pay the penalty fare by refusing to pay it and leaving the bus without giving your details so it looks like it'll most likely be "appear before a Magistrate" time when they do catch up with you. If you think they'll just forget about it, I'd like to point out that currently, they're having a crackdown.


If you are stopped without a ticket, you should expect to receive a letter outlining where and at what time you were stopped. This letter will ask you for any comments relating to the issue and will be accompanied by a freepost envelope. This provides you with an opportunity to outline any issues you may consider are relevant to your case.

Within six months of the incident taking place, London Buses will make a decision as to whether to forward your case for prosecution or not. If they decide to prosecute, you will receive a Court Summons to appear at one of four Magistrates' Courts in London.

A typical fine for this offence is in the region of £165 together with £95 costs, although lower fines may be agreed by the Court if the defendant is unemployed or a student. A record of the fine will be maintained by the Magistrates' Court for a period of five years.

You were quite stupid really, weren't you?

MartinLewisisalegend

It was an honest genuine mistake. I am a hard working person who pays all my taxes - claims no benefits and is not a theif!!

I admit that if my ticket was wrong I need to pay the fine, but the inspector was incredibly rude and arrogant and left me feeling helpless.

I left him with my ticket as I needed to get to work... I am looking for advice as to where I should go from here.

Phone TFL and report this case?

Inactive

I got on a bus this morning, I was amazed when the Train Inspector stopped me and said my bus ticket didn't cover rail fares.:rolleyes:

MartinLewisisalegend

Conor - I am most definitely NOT stupid and resent this comment.

It was a mistake - I did not go out to defraud anymore, I pay my dues believe me.

tinkerbell84

Congratulations on paying your taxes - shame the same doesn't apply to fares.

Ring them and beg to be able to pay the fine - it will cover the fares you should have been paying for using the buses and you'll get your train card back.

as Conor says, the alternatives are far more damaging, financially and otherwise.

MartinLewisisalegend

Just so you know, I have spoken to a man @ TFL who has passed this case onto his manager. The inspector was in the wrong for taking my ticket and as he didn't issue a penalty notice he could be seriously told off and I don't have to pay any fine.

I am not gloating in any way but I am relieved as nothing like this has ever happened to me before.

jodie

Why do people feel the need to add how they don't claim benefits in a way to show how great they are????

MartinLewisisalegend

Jodie,

I was trying to justify the fact that I do not feel the country owes me a living - I work full time and support myself and was not deliberately trying to dodge paying a fare.

I was not acting superior - I just would rather work and not claim money from the government... some people take advantage and I don't.

Tarry

What does claiming benefits have to do with fare dodging anyway? You can only blame yourself to be honest as you should have looked it up or asked prior to believing that your train ticket covered bus fares. You where naive.