genuine mistake cost me £80...help!

e.presley

Ok , so I got on the tram today and tapped in, I obviously didn't do it correctly as there was no record of me doing so on my oyster! Now I know I should have watched it turn green and I have already had a lecture about it from my dad. Anyway I had money on my oyster to cover the journey and as I explained to the inspector, had I intentionally evaded my fare, I wouldn't have handed over a registered oyster card with my details on it!I have 3 weeks to pay money which i don't have or cannot borrow and was wondering if anyone else who made the mistake had any success fighting their case with tfl??

wealdroam

Yes, you were given a Penalty Fare because the inspector believed you had made a mistake.

If he thought you were deliberately evading the fare, he would not have issued a penalty fare, but reported you for possible prosecution, with the risk of a £1000 fine and a criminal record.

If you pay the penalty fare within 21 days it is 'only' £40.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14436.aspx

thelawnet

I would just pay up. Your argument about your Oyster card is weak, you need an Oyster to get through the barriers to get on the train, it doesn't mean you ever tap in on the tram, where there are no barriers.

e.presley

The guard said the penalty was for evaded fare and that he believed I had made a mistake, but he had to issue the penalty... As I said in the post I was wondering if anyone had success with anything similar! I don't have £40 to pay, hence the post!

agrinnall

If you don't have £40 now where will you get the £80 later, or escalating amounts if you continue not to pay? I doubt if they will let this drop. Better to find the money now (can you sell something on ebay?) and get it over and done with.

chuckley

thelawnet wrote: »

I would just pay up. Your argument about your Oyster card is weak, you need an Oyster to get through the barriers to get on the train, it doesn't mean you ever tap in on the tram, where there are no barriers.

no you dont. there are countless stations where theres no barriers.

in fareness to OP its an easy mistake, whenever ive accidently 'bunked' the tram ive never been caught, as im not used to swiping on anything but the tube!

I thought tram fines were halfed or something if paid within x amount of time?

wealdroam

chuckley wrote: »

I thought tram fines were halfed or something if paid within x amount of time?

Indeed they are, which is why I wrote...

wealdroam wrote: »

If you pay the penalty fare within 21 days it is 'only' £40.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14436.aspx

lampard

(Text removed by MSE Forum Team)

There is a three stage appeal process with TFL and trams, I would go down that route and fight the money grabbers.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/tickets/penalty-fare-appeals-policy.pdf

geordie_taxi

(Text removed by MSE Forum Team)

anyway OP more info on the appeals process can be found here

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14436.aspx

thelawnet

chuckley wrote: »

no you dont. there are countless stations where theres no barriers.

That wasn't really the point - if you do need to get through a barrier then obviously an Oyster card would get you through. And if there is no barrier, as on the tram, and at some stations, then you just don't bother.

Doesn't prove anything.

wealdroam

geordie_taxi wrote: »

anyway OP more info on the appeals process can be found here

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14436.aspx

That link was supplied in the first reply on this thread.

It's always good to have confirmation though.