Train revenue protection

hreds2018

Hi. I recently got stopped and questioned by revenue protection at the station, when I was about to pay for my ticket at the office after getting off the train they asked me for a card they were handing out at that station.


I didn't get this card because Id got past the revenue guard on the station, stupidly I was in a rush I saw him there and thought he was trying to sell a ticket to board so thought by doing so I would then miss the train, with the train pulling in and didn't realise the reason he was there.


So I boarded the train with no "stub" and therefore cannot prove I got on at that station. I wasn't trying to get through without paying as theres no way you can do this as there are barriers, they are trying to claim I was trying to claim a short journey. I have had a annual ticket with the trains for over 7 years, my recent one ran out last month because I now car share and am in the process of getting a new job which means I wont need it. So I only get the train ad hoc. I have never been stopped or had any issues in the past and am an honest person. I am massively anxious and stressed over it all and haven't slept since.


I currently live with brother after a marital break up and panicked when asked for my details, I tried to guess his postcode and number. The guard allowed me to google, but I still got the number wrong, I rang my brother as I left the guard to check and he told me so I went back and gave the guard the right address. I showed him my drivers license and requested no letter to go home address and to my brothers because of my circumstances at home. I hope this doesn't come across bad. I also emailed them to notify of my mistake and to make sure they have the right details.


I am worried now as I work in a financial service that if they chose to prosecute I will lost me job. I can prove I got a lift to that station, I wasn't not going to pay as they stopped me as I was paying. I am waiting for a letter but very stressed about it all.


What advice does anyone have. How can I prove I did get on there? I got a lift there from a friend who is willing to write a witness statement for me confirming that but will they accept this?


I cant allow this to go to court and get a criminal record for being so stupid.


thank you all in advance

Carrot007

This is why you let google track your location and have a history. It can be useful to you.

hreds2018

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Other than that any advice on the subject in hand? Thank you

twhitehousescat

I "think" you will be offered a chance to pay , before court action , those are delt with by private company , who have now decided to get into private car parking , we are taking the mickey out of them , running them around as they have no chance of sucsess , however they DO , with fares

this id the mob that will probably chase you https://www.asparking.co.uk/

daveyjp

Did the station you caught the train at give you an opportunity to purchase a ticket before boarding? Either ticket office or machine?

hreds2018

There is a machine further down the platform. But the reason I rushed passed him was to get on the train, the train was pulling in so I jumped on straight away. I have paid at the ticket office a few times in the past so didn't think it was an issue. I've had an annual for years so this buying in the day is new to me.

agrinnall

There's no doubt that you are in the wrong, you had an opportunity to buy a ticket before boarding but didn't. So you must be prepared to pay a penalty charge of some sort, and to avoid court pay it when you get it. Not having a valid address on your driving licence is a complication, hopefully the correct address that you gave will be used but if you have any way to ask whoever is currently in your previous marital home to forward any mail that might be a good move (although you could just set up the mail redirection that you ought to have done when you moved out).

Hasbeen

So you obviously buy everyday? since your season ticket ran out.

Do you still have these used tickets? Season from same station? If so use this as proof to where you boarded, if not ask to keep rest for future lapses. Then you can prove this is you normal station etc.

You will get sent a notice to pay either from the train company or someone acting on their behalf.

You have a choice of appealing or paying.

If you pay plus the penalty then that's it. No further repercussions.

If not then you get your day to argue in court your defence.

But doubt train companies will take it to court? so you can possibly negotiate using any existing tickets including ones purchased since then that you are a daily traveller from that station now? as proof and plead any exeptional circumstances such as you have posted. To get fine/invoice over turned.

But you will still have to pay the usual penalty £20 I suspect, that they should probably done at the time? But perhaps no more than that.

hreds2018

Yeah I accept I was in the wrong for not buying before I boarded. But there is always the option to buy on board or at the office so I thought no different. Coincidently I got the train from that station this morning and the ticket machine was out of service. I took a photo of this just in case. I bought a ticket at the station. I haven't changed my address purely because it still is my main residence, the break up is very recent and I've been staying between home, mum and brothers for just over 2 weeks now. We got 2 young kids so we take turns staying at the house until a permanent solution is sorted. Thanks for your reply. Appreciated it

hreds2018

I only travel by train ad hoc, my annual expired February. I now car share and dependant on shifts I sometimes travel in only and car home, but always tend to go in by train Friday from that station and get a lift home. And I sometimes travel from different stations dependant on my shift, that day I had a lift to the station like today.

I don't keep my tickets no. But kept today's and the photo of the out of service machine just in case they were at the other end again.

They can take you to court in the following circumstances

-Fraud,
-Giving false details,
-Knowingly claiming a short service.

My worry is they think I did the latter because I didn't get a ticket off the revenue protection guy on the platform. But I simply got past him by claiming I was ok for a ticket. I have checked and it's not illegal or an offence to board that train without a ticket, it's frowned upon but not illegal.

I admit it was the wrong thing to do. But in the heat of the moment, in a rush, didn't want to miss the Train, not thinking straight I didn't realise the extent or problem by getting on and buying at the other end

daveyjp

It is an offence to board a train without a ticket if facilities are provided to purchase before boarding.

Hasbeen has provided the info. You need to wait and see what arrives. It could be a penalty for boarding without a ticket or it could be a possible charge for fare evasion if they believe you were buying a ticket for a trip shorter than you took.

If there is a ticket machine I'm wondering why someone was giving out 'proof of boarding' slips. Is the ticket machine new? Has it ever worked?

Before my local station had a machine I was sometimes given similar slips.