Hello,
I'm worrying myself to death about this and was hoping someone could tell me what is likely to happen.
On two occasions within a week I was stopped by Northern Rail staff without having a valid ticket for my journey. On both occasions, this was because there is no ticket machine at my local station (Swinton) and the ticket office was closed at the time. On the first day, I got off the train at Walkden and a man took my details and said as I had no opportunity to by a ticket I would simply get a letter asking for the fare. This happened and I paid the fare over the phone on the same day I received the letter.
On the second occasion I was travelling to Manchester Victoria and the same thing happened. There are two ways to exit the station at Victoria, and as far as I knew you could buy a ticket at either exit as I have done in the past. However, on this occasion there was no option to buy a ticket and instead my details were taken by someone who questioned why I had left the station without purchasing a ticket. I explained that I usually either have a monthly pass or buy my ticket at Swinton, and that I thought I would be able to buy one at the exit but was told that technically I had left the station without paying. The man said I would get a letter within 4 weeks asking for a statement, but 4 weeks on and nothing has arrived. I am worried sick that because of 2 incidents being so close together, I won't even be offered the £80 fine and will be taken straight to court. Can anyone advise as to what might happen and whether I should get in touch with them to chase up the letter?
I am happy to pay the £80 fixed penalty as I admit that I did leave the station without paying due to my own stupidity!
I'm worrying myself to death about this and was hoping someone could tell me what is likely to happen.
On two occasions within a week I was stopped by Northern Rail staff without having a valid ticket for my journey. On both occasions, this was because there is no ticket machine at my local station (Swinton) and the ticket office was closed at the time. On the first day, I got off the train at Walkden and a man took my details and said as I had no opportunity to by a ticket I would simply get a letter asking for the fare. This happened and I paid the fare over the phone on the same day I received the letter.
On the second occasion I was travelling to Manchester Victoria and the same thing happened. There are two ways to exit the station at Victoria, and as far as I knew you could buy a ticket at either exit as I have done in the past. However, on this occasion there was no option to buy a ticket and instead my details were taken by someone who questioned why I had left the station without purchasing a ticket. I explained that I usually either have a monthly pass or buy my ticket at Swinton, and that I thought I would be able to buy one at the exit but was told that technically I had left the station without paying. The man said I would get a letter within 4 weeks asking for a statement, but 4 weeks on and nothing has arrived. I am worried sick that because of 2 incidents being so close together, I won't even be offered the £80 fine and will be taken straight to court. Can anyone advise as to what might happen and whether I should get in touch with them to chase up the letter?
I am happy to pay the £80 fixed penalty as I admit that I did leave the station without paying due to my own stupidity!