stupid stupid fare dodger

terra_ferma

I hope someone here can help me.
A (very stupid) family member has decided that train fares are too expensive, and train companies don't deserve his money. He now buys a ticket that covers most of the journey except the last leg, on a different train, which saves him a lot of money. Then at the end of the journey (a very busy station during rush hour) at the barrier he just exits behind the person in front.

Does anyone know of any links with information, cases of people caught etc so that he understands the potential consequences if (when) he is caught.
I need links that I can email to him so that he can check the information for himself, nothing I say will make him change his mind...

spikejrt

When he gets caught, it'll be a fine of up to £1,000 and a criminal record if it goes to court.

I haven't got a link but it should be easy to find.

I hope you can get him to see common sense, if he can't afford train tickets or doesn't want to pay then he should stop using the train altogether as he's making it more expensive for the rest of us who do buy tickets!

Mids_Costcutter

Well your relative is right on one count: train fares are too expensive in this country!

As well as scaring him, could you refer to the guide on this web site:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-train-tickets

Is a season ticket or railcard relevant or useful?

Smi1er

It's known as Surfing. Many many times I see plain clothes standing behind the barriers looking for this.

The fine won't be that big the first time, but it's the criminal record that will do the damage

FLAPJACK

Yep a criminal record is for LIFE.

Imagine this person in the future has met someone from the US (for instance), he wants to visit them for a holiday.....criminal record "computer says NO".

Plus the fact that a lot of jobs now require a criminal record check, I for one dislike paying for the [EMAIL="!!!!"]!!!![/EMAIL] service "provided" by the train companies but I'll be damned giving them the last laugh in court over a few quid....his/her future is worth a lot more than that.

Tell them it's the consequences of their actions that will haunt them for the rest of their days.

Well donr to you Terra-Ferma for trying to get them to see reason.

geordie_taxi

as a reformed character i will have to advice if he get caught at the moment he will end up with a criminal record and an entry on a crb check

but dont listen to all the scaremongering to much. the protection of freedoms act 2012 comes into force soon and minor offences ie fare dodging wont be record on crb anymore

FLAPJACK

In that case Terra Firma tell your family member to carry on fare dodging, obviously the government (members of whom are not unknown to go against the rules) sanctions this activity, so the rest of us "law abiding" MUGS can pick up the financial loss through higher fares.

Don't forget that being a THEIF now is only a "minor offence" .....for those with NO morals.

geordie_taxi

FLAPJACK wrote: »

In that case Terra Firma tell your family member to carry on fare dodging, obviously the government (members of whom are not unknown to go against the rules) sanctions this activity, so the rest of us "law abiding" MUGS can pick up the financial loss through higher fares.

Don't forget that being a THEIF now is only a "minor offence" .....for those with NO morals.

ok carm down. i should have state 'yes' u wont have a crb entry but u will get fined in a magistrates court and that fine cud be large

happy

londonTiger

maybe it would be cheap for him to buy two seperate tickets to complete the whole journey. maybe be safer (legally) and cheaper than a single trip ticket

terra_ferma

Thank you all for the info, in particular I didn't know that he could get a criminal record, I don't think he realises that.
I'm going to get all the info together and send him a nice info pack that hopefully he will make him see sense.
He's looked at several options, but will tell him about buying separate tickets in case he hasn't tried that.

If anyone know of a case of someone caught surfing/jumping the barrier it would be very useful (hard to argue you intended to pay for the ticket, I expect they would face the strongest penalties).

Buzby

FLAPJACK wrote: »

Yep a criminal record is for LIFE.

Only if he dies in 6 years. As the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act as not been rescinded to my knowledge, any criminal conviction will be spent.

Not advocating a illegal act, more pointing out fare dodging does not attract a lifetime tariff on conviction.