Train fine admin charge advice

[Deleted User]

Hi all and thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

After making a mistake on a train and sitting in first class with a standard ticket, I had my details taken by a ticket inspector. Several months later I received a letter from the train company asking for any comments on the 'incident'. I replied acknowledging my mistake, apologising and offering to pay the difference between the price of my ticket and the first class ticket, hoping that would be satisfactory.

They have written back saying that they are willing to settle out of court, provided I pay the sum of £12.40 (the ticket difference) and a 'contribution of £90' towards our costs to date.

My first instinct is to pay because I would rather not have some kind of ongoing dialogue and letters going back and forth. At the same time, it does feel as if that's a number plucked out of the air and I do feel rather like I'm being conned.

I wonder if anyone has an idea of what these costs might be. Perhaps I should write back to ask? I am certainly not keen to allow costs to escalate by going to court or anything like that because I'm sure they are very good at winning these cases and in all honestly I know I was in the wrong.

Thanks all.

daveyjp

May be better posting here:

https://www.railforums.co.uk

glider3560

Normally this type of offer is used before they consider prosecution. Either because they'll "make" more money out of the £90, than the costs awarded to them by the court (this would be on top of the fine, which gets paid to the public purse).

They could make up any amount they want really. It's an out of court settlement, where they are agreeing not to prosecute if you pay their charges.

The charges could possibly cover: the revenue protection staff member's salary, the cost of processing the details taken by the inspector, back office staff, writing letters, phone calls, etc.

If I were in your boots, given you have already admitted the offence in writing, I would pay the £90 and difference to avoid prosecution (which could be much more expensive).

Stigy

As has been said, this will be their way of giving you the opportunity to settle the matter administratively. If it goes to court and you're found guilty, assuming it's a Byelaw charge, you'll be fined (about £200 give or take), pay victims surcharge (10% of the fine), be charged the ticket cost AND have to pay an amount towards their costs. All in all amounting to about £350 - £400ish. If it's an offence under the Regulation of Railways Act 1889, you'll be looking at double the fine and a criminal record to boot.

£90 is much easier, isn't it?