I have been taken to court for supposedly "boarding a train without a valid ticket and with intent to evade fare"
I was on a return journey from Manchester to Andover where I had a "via London ticket" however boarded a not via London route (not knowing this would be an issue)
The Conductor said my ticket was invalid and told me I had to buy a new one at full price.
In hindsight I can see that the rule is that I should have to pay the difference for which there was none as mine was more expensive. (See conditions for carriage).
The second conductor told the first conductor and I that they would let me off with a warning as they can see my ticket was stamped on the way up and therefore I did not know that this was wrong.
I received correspondence from them saying that they would take me to court and to write to them any exceptions.
I explained what happened and how the guy said not to worry about it and how I had the more expensive ticket of the two so there was no excess.
I have now had another letter from them where there have ignored my response and now have a court date where I am faced with a criminal record and large fine. All for accidentally boarding the wrong route.
At no point was I asked to pay the difference between two tickets only a full ticket at full price, which is breaking condition for carriage rules.
At no point was I given the option or requested to pay a penalty fate at later date.
I was on a return journey from Manchester to Andover where I had a "via London ticket" however boarded a not via London route (not knowing this would be an issue)
The Conductor said my ticket was invalid and told me I had to buy a new one at full price.
In hindsight I can see that the rule is that I should have to pay the difference for which there was none as mine was more expensive. (See conditions for carriage).
The second conductor told the first conductor and I that they would let me off with a warning as they can see my ticket was stamped on the way up and therefore I did not know that this was wrong.
I received correspondence from them saying that they would take me to court and to write to them any exceptions.
I explained what happened and how the guy said not to worry about it and how I had the more expensive ticket of the two so there was no excess.
I have now had another letter from them where there have ignored my response and now have a court date where I am faced with a criminal record and large fine. All for accidentally boarding the wrong route.
At no point was I asked to pay the difference between two tickets only a full ticket at full price, which is breaking condition for carriage rules.
At no point was I given the option or requested to pay a penalty fate at later date.
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