Dear forum, I would appreciate some help, to respond to a letter from TfL.
It says "On xx you were reported to TfL for failing to produce a valid ticket, pass or photocard for your journey on the London Underground. The facts of this incident are being considered and I must advise you that legal proceedings may be taken against you in accordance with TfL prosecution policy". I then get the chance to write comments on the back.
It relates to a recent trip when i got to Victoria tube station, just as i entered through barriers i got stopped by plain clothes policeman/ticket inspector. He asked for my pass/card, i showed it and at that moment realised I had swiped my fathers freedom pass instead of my own (a travelcard season with about 3 months left and zones 2-4 and about £17 credit for PAYG, asI occasionally go into zone 1). it was honestly an accident. I was somewhere else (in my mind). I got pulled to the side and questioned. He took the freedom pass and said why did i have the it? I explained I had just accompanied my dad to a medical centre in nw london. He didnt believe me. Which i can understand. He said i was lying, that I hadnt used my pass (actually I had used it just a couple of hours before to get to Victoria but on the bus not tube)and how come I was in london central area. I explained my dad and i had gotten a cab to the clinic but i had no proof of this with me at the time. I was in shock and forgive me for sounding foolish but I asked what would happen next, penalty, prison? And he said no, its a civil matter and took notes, i explained again why I had the pass with me and then he just quickly showed me his black book cover, said i was being cautioned and wrote down again that I went through the barrier and whether I would have exited using the freedom pass ( i replied I had my own pass) and whether I realised I should have a valid ticket (to which I said yes). i asked for our passes back but was asked to sign his book first and only then got my pass back and i was told I shou!d wait for a letter in the post
I have never been stopped by any person, in the tube or anywhere else, so this was a traumatic experience for me. Today after searching online for advice I came across this site and its an eye opener. After reading some postings I will avoid the obvious (deep regret, foolish, my fault,embarrasment) but will say it was honest mistake. The question is, how do i reply to the letter and should i put forward some things I learnt after the event:
- I was sure I had used my pass just before and I dont understand why the inspector couldnt see that. I called Oyster helpline and they confirmed I had used my pass 2.5 hr before the time i accidentally used dads pass
-they sent me my oyster history which shows I used my pass 135 times during 28/2 to 25/4 (although for some reason the first date entry is 5 March).
-most journeys were within my zones 2-4 and a few in zone 1 when PAYG was deducted
- last year in Oct/Nov i used to work actually at Victoria and so I tried finding proof that I always used my own pass. Unfortunateky I could onky find a few mini oyster statements (the ones they print at ticket windows) showing 5 PAYG trips to/fromVictoria and about 25 payg trips to other places.
I was not seeking to avoid paying a fare home, but prosection seems harsh, which is what there letter says and so I want to give them supporting info but dont know if giving them all info above is wise. I dont know on what grounds they are seeking to take me to court so how can I respond when the letter is so vague?
I want to sort this out. Please help if you can?
It says "On xx you were reported to TfL for failing to produce a valid ticket, pass or photocard for your journey on the London Underground. The facts of this incident are being considered and I must advise you that legal proceedings may be taken against you in accordance with TfL prosecution policy". I then get the chance to write comments on the back.
It relates to a recent trip when i got to Victoria tube station, just as i entered through barriers i got stopped by plain clothes policeman/ticket inspector. He asked for my pass/card, i showed it and at that moment realised I had swiped my fathers freedom pass instead of my own (a travelcard season with about 3 months left and zones 2-4 and about £17 credit for PAYG, asI occasionally go into zone 1). it was honestly an accident. I was somewhere else (in my mind). I got pulled to the side and questioned. He took the freedom pass and said why did i have the it? I explained I had just accompanied my dad to a medical centre in nw london. He didnt believe me. Which i can understand. He said i was lying, that I hadnt used my pass (actually I had used it just a couple of hours before to get to Victoria but on the bus not tube)and how come I was in london central area. I explained my dad and i had gotten a cab to the clinic but i had no proof of this with me at the time. I was in shock and forgive me for sounding foolish but I asked what would happen next, penalty, prison? And he said no, its a civil matter and took notes, i explained again why I had the pass with me and then he just quickly showed me his black book cover, said i was being cautioned and wrote down again that I went through the barrier and whether I would have exited using the freedom pass ( i replied I had my own pass) and whether I realised I should have a valid ticket (to which I said yes). i asked for our passes back but was asked to sign his book first and only then got my pass back and i was told I shou!d wait for a letter in the post
I have never been stopped by any person, in the tube or anywhere else, so this was a traumatic experience for me. Today after searching online for advice I came across this site and its an eye opener. After reading some postings I will avoid the obvious (deep regret, foolish, my fault,embarrasment) but will say it was honest mistake. The question is, how do i reply to the letter and should i put forward some things I learnt after the event:
- I was sure I had used my pass just before and I dont understand why the inspector couldnt see that. I called Oyster helpline and they confirmed I had used my pass 2.5 hr before the time i accidentally used dads pass
-they sent me my oyster history which shows I used my pass 135 times during 28/2 to 25/4 (although for some reason the first date entry is 5 March).
-most journeys were within my zones 2-4 and a few in zone 1 when PAYG was deducted
- last year in Oct/Nov i used to work actually at Victoria and so I tried finding proof that I always used my own pass. Unfortunateky I could onky find a few mini oyster statements (the ones they print at ticket windows) showing 5 PAYG trips to/fromVictoria and about 25 payg trips to other places.
I was not seeking to avoid paying a fare home, but prosection seems harsh, which is what there letter says and so I want to give them supporting info but dont know if giving them all info above is wise. I dont know on what grounds they are seeking to take me to court so how can I respond when the letter is so vague?
I want to sort this out. Please help if you can?