Fare evasion : what "fun"! (non-ironic, just copeing humor)

[Trainsforming_]

Hi there all,

As many have on here, I had mistakenly traveled on a high value oyster card rather than my own (I now realise literally how I picked it up rather than my on at the front door, stiupid, but here we are).

I've gone through other posts on here, and have taken the advice of some of the very knowelgable members to try and write my letter to Tfl.
Before we get into it, I just wanted to say thank you to all of you guys on here who help people out. Its a terrifying thing this process, and without this forum and your advice I think a lot of us would be a lot more lost and hopeless, so you really are helping a lot of people out and it's very kind of you to do so.

Anyway, onto the letter, and I've got the post requirements underneath it.
--
Dear TFL IAP team,

Thank you for giving me a chance to explain the circumstances around my travel on the 9th of March, 2023.

I had been at my boyfriends house earlier that morning (the person who owns the card, and whose details I have included in my email to prove that I am known to him) and though we now realise what had occurred, but I did not know at the time, I took his oyster card by mistake when leaving the house.

I can confirm that when I was stopped by the inspector at Camden overground Station (to travel to Dalston overground Station), I had tapped in with my boyfriends oyster card, and not my own.
However, it was never my intention to travel on his card, and upon realising the mistake, my first action was to inform the inspector I had the wrong card, and ask if I could pay the fare with my contactless bank card.

The tfl inspector told me that was not nessesary, and I complied with their requests and questions subsequently.
I did begin to get very distressed as I have never received any sort of disciplinary proceeding or warning before, and I began to cry.
The inspector was polite and kind, and he repeatedly told me "it's not even a caution".
This did calm me down, and I accepted that I would receive a written warning, fine or the like, which I understood as a fair way for my makeing amends for my mistake.

My partner tried to go to the station the following day as I misunderstood what the inspector had said, and I had thought he could recover his card by attending the station.
It was only once he was there that it was explained to him that I was likely going to be prosecuted in a court of law.

On the 11th of March I received your letter informing me I was being considered for prosecution, and whilst I was very suprised and upset, I am grateful that you are allowing me to explain my side of the incident prior to takeing any further action against me.

I admit that, despite it not being my intention, I did travel on that oyster card (ref here) on that date (09/03/2023),and did do so on the tube from Kennington underground station to Camden underground station as well earlier that day (again, without my knowing I was doing so, I'm sorry).
It was never my intention to do so, and I did try to rectify my error the moment I realised, especially as I was at the start of my journey.
I apologise for haveing done this, and would be grateful if I was allowed to make amends.
I have learnt its vital to check my oyster card and other cards before leaving the house, and have discussed with my partner about how important it is that he keep his work documents away from where I may accidentally interact with them from now on. We are designating a new place for me to put my travel card and keys at his house rather than put them in the same bowl by the door.

I would be very happy to pay whatever fine you deem suitable for the cost of the journeys I took on the card, and for any costs incurred during the administrative and prosecution procedures.
I would be grateful if this could be settled without the need to go to court, as I am a teacher by trade, and any criminal proceedings would bar me from future work in that area due to their enhanced checks.

Thank you for your consideration.
All the best,

Name here.
---
As the letter implies:
-I was stopped on the Camden overground, traveling to Dalston overground, immediately after tapping in.
-I did present my boyfriends oyster, but as soon as I took it from the holder, I recognised it not to be mine and said as much.
-I asked to immediately tap in with my contactless, but was stopped by the inspector and told not to. He was nice enough, but he did downplay a lot of what was happening, and did say (several times) that it was "not even a caution", which now upon reflection feels like he was just trying to get the crying girl to shut up and move on. He asked me if I had any Id, and I just showed him my drivers licence, and then that's about it. I was given the form to complete by myself after that mostly.
-honestly, a fine would be a godsend. The money, whilst in short supply, is not an issue compared to the losing my career. I am takeing a year off from teaching, but I planned to go back. This sort of thing can completely bar me from working in that sector ever again, which would honestly ruin my life, and is what I'm trying to avoid.

Any and all help about this would be a huge help, and please feel free to give constructive criticism, no matter how harsh it may be. If it helps me come out of this with my career intact, lll do whatever it takes.

Thank you for your help guys, and I'll let you know what happens!

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi there all,

As many have on here, I had mistakenly traveled on a high value oyster card rather than my own (I now realise literally how I picked it up rather than my on at the front door, stiupid, but here we are).

I've gone through other posts on here, and have taken the advice of some of the very knowelgable members to try and write my letter to Tfl.
Before we get into it, I just wanted to say thank you to all of you guys on here who help people out. Its a terrifying thing this process, and without this forum and your advice I think a lot of us would be a lot more lost and hopeless, so you really are helping a lot of people out and it's very kind of you to do so.

Anyway, onto the letter, and I've got the post requirements underneath it.
--
Dear TFL IAP team,

Thank you for giving me a chance to explain the circumstances around my travel on the 9th of March, 2023.

I had been at my boyfriends house earlier that morning (the person who owns the card, and whose details I have included in my email to prove that I am known to him) and though we now realise what had occurred, but I did not know at the time, I took his oyster card by mistake when leaving the house.

I can confirm that when I was stopped by the inspector at Camden overground Station (to travel to Dalston overground Station), I had tapped in with my boyfriends oyster card, and not my own.
However, it was never my intention to travel on his card, and upon realising the mistake, my first action was to inform the inspector I had the wrong card, and ask if I could pay the fare with my contactless bank card.

The tfl inspector told me that was not nessesary, and I complied with their requests and questions subsequently.
I did begin to get very distressed as I have never received any sort of disciplinary proceeding or warning before, and I began to cry.
The inspector was polite and kind, and he repeatedly told me "it's not even a caution".
This did calm me down, and I accepted that I would receive a written warning, fine or the like, which I understood as a fair way for my makeing amends for my mistake.

My partner tried to go to the station the following day as I misunderstood what the inspector had said, and I had thought he could recover his card by attending the station.
It was only once he was there that it was explained to him that I was likely going to be prosecuted in a court of law.

On the 11th of March I received your letter informing me I was being considered for prosecution, and whilst I was very suprised and upset, I am grateful that you are allowing me to explain my side of the incident prior to takeing any further action against me.

I admit that, despite it not being my intention, I did travel on that oyster card (ref here) on that date (09/03/2023),and did do so on the tube from Kennington underground station to Camden underground station as well earlier that day (again, without my knowing I was doing so, I'm sorry).
It was never my intention to do so, and I did try to rectify my error the moment I realised, especially as I was at the start of my journey.
I apologise for haveing done this, and would be grateful if I was allowed to make amends.
I have learnt its vital to check my oyster card and other cards before leaving the house, and have discussed with my partner about how important it is that he keep his work documents away from where I may accidentally interact with them from now on. We are designating a new place for me to put my travel card and keys at his house rather than put them in the same bowl by the door.

I would be very happy to pay whatever fine you deem suitable for the cost of the journeys I took on the card, and for any costs incurred during the administrative and prosecution procedures.
I would be grateful if this could be settled without the need to go to court, as I am a teacher by trade, and any criminal proceedings would bar me from future work in that area due to their enhanced checks.

Thank you for your consideration.
All the best,

Name here.
---
As the letter implies:
-I was stopped on the Camden overground, traveling to Dalston overground, immediately after tapping in.
-I did present my boyfriends oyster, but as soon as I took it from the holder, I recognised it not to be mine and said as much.
-I asked to immediately tap in with my contactless, but was stopped by the inspector and told not to. He was nice enough, but he did downplay a lot of what was happening, and did say (several times) that it was "not even a caution", which now upon reflection feels like he was just trying to get the crying girl to shut up and move on. He asked me if I had any Id, and I just showed him my drivers licence, and then that's about it. I was given the form to complete by myself after that mostly.
-honestly, a fine would be a godsend. The money, whilst in short supply, is not an issue compared to the losing my career. I am takeing a year off from teaching, but I planned to go back. This sort of thing can completely bar me from working in that sector ever again, which would honestly ruin my life, and is what I'm trying to avoid.

Any and all help about this would be a huge help, and please feel free to give constructive criticism, no matter how harsh it may be. If it helps me come out of this with my career intact, lll do whatever it takes.

Thank you for your help guys, and I'll let you know what happens!

Hi there and welcome

Looks like a fairly reasonable explanation letter to me, given the circs you describe.

in terms of feedback:

is there anyway you can simplify it to make it a bit shorter? No doubt the ppl who read these are short staffed and have lots to deal with so that may help (but do not lose the sense of it or your apology)

re this:

I would be very happy to pay whatever fine you deem suitable for the cost of the journeys I took on the card,

Maybe tweak this sentence (after all you are actually saying you would be very happy to pay say £50k or £1m if they ask for it which I doubt you would be, or maybe even could...) maybe change "whatever fine" to "an appropriate charge" or some such.

Also
When reading this I got the impression it was a one off error/ 1st time this had happened. But you say "journeys" plural - so have you done this more than once? It needs to be clear to the reader. And if they are not claiming you have made more then one journey - and so long as you had not already told them you have when you were stopped (be cautious if you can not recall exactly as you were distressed at that moment), I would see no reason to mention it - but of course do not lie if you have used your partner's card.

Hope this helps.

 

[AlterEgo]

What sort of Oyster card was it? If it’s a staff Oyster card there may well be future consequences for your boyfriend, too.

 

[ComUtoR]

By 'High value Oyster card' do you mean that his card was a staff travel card of some description ? If so, that may have other implications.

 

[Trainsforming_]

It was a staff travel card, yes. He's aware, and upset its happend, but again neither of us knew of the mistake until it happend.

Hi there and welcome

Looks like a fairly reasonable explanation letter to me, given the circs you describe.

in terms of feedback:

is there anyway you can simplify it to make it a bit shorter? No doubt the ppl who read these are short staffed and have lots to deal with so that may help (but do not lose the sense of it or your apology)

re this:



Maybe tweak this sentence (after all you are actually saying you would be very happy to pay say £50k or £1m if they ask for it which I doubt you would be, or maybe even could...) maybe change "whatever fine" to "an appropriate charge" or some such.

Also
When reading this I got the impression it was a one off error/ 1st time this had happened. But you say "journeys" plural - so have you done this more than once? It needs to be clear to the reader. And if they are not claiming you have made more then one journey - and so long as you had not already told them you have when you were stopped (be cautious if you can not recall exactly as you were distressed at that moment), I would see no reason to mention it - but of course do not lie if you have used your partner's card.

Hope this helps.

A lot of good advice, thank you Lancer.

 

[AlterEgo]

Your boyfriend should, if he hasn’t already, inform his employer and his trade union about what’s happened. Depending on the circumstances, there can be severe disciplinary repercussions for him, too.

 

[Trainsforming_]

Your boyfriend should, if he hasn’t already, inform his employer and his trade union about what’s happened. Depending on the circumstances, there can be severe disciplinary repercussions for him, too.

He's already done so, and will be haveing a meeting about it tomorrow.

 

[MotCO]

-I was stopped on the Camden overground, traveling to Dalston overground, immediately after tapping in.
-I did present my boyfriends oyster, but as soon as I took it from the holder, I recognised it not to be mine and said as much.

Can you please clarify - did you tap in without taking it out of the wallet, therefore you could not see it was the wrong card. Why did you then take the card from the holder - did the inspector ask you to because the barrier bleeped or something?

Otherwise why did you swipe the card if you had taken it out of the wallet, and realised it was the wrong card? Did the card have a photo on it?

Also, in your proposed letter there are a few spelling mistakes, so you may want to run it through a spell-checker (e.g.makeing amends)

 

[Trainsforming_]

Can you please clarify - did you tap in without taking it out of the wallet, therefore you could not see it was the wrong card. Why did you then take the card from the holder - did the inspector ask you to because the barrier bleeped or something?

Otherwise why did you swipe the card if you had taken it out of the wallet, and realised it was the wrong card? Did the card have a photo on it?

Also, in your proposed letter there are a few spelling mistakes, so you may want to run it through a spell-checker (e.g.makeing amends)

It was in an opaque card holder. It sound dumb, but we kept all the stuff together by the door. He had actually taken my oyster (standard one) thst morning, and had not realised.
When I got to the door, I jueet grabbed my card holder and keys as normal. Sometimes my oysters falls out of the holder, so I literally just auto-piloted the card back in, and did not see it until tee ticket inspector requested it at the sate. I just throught it was a regular inspection to check.
Thanks for the feedback, sorry about the spelling, my phones bad for that sometimes.

 

[spag23]

Hopefully the OP's own Oyster account will show it was her card she'd been regularly using, up until the day in question. With no gaps that aligned with the Staff Card's use.
Perhaps give the BF a printout of this to present at his meeting tomorrow.

 

[MotCO]

It was in an opaque card holder. It sound dumb, but we kept all the stuff together by the door. He had actually taken my oyster (standard one) thst morning, and had not realised.
When I got to the door, I jueet grabbed my card holder and keys as normal. Sometimes my oysters falls out of the holder, so I literally just auto-piloted the card back in, and did not see it until tee ticket inspector requested it at the sate. I just throught it was a regular inspection to check.
Thanks for the feedback, sorry about the spelling, my phones bad for that sometimes.

Why did the inspector request to see your card? I assume it operated the barrier ok, so why would the inspector think that something was amiss and request to see it?

(To other posters: do inspectors routinely request to see an Oyster card that has successfully opened the barrier?)

 

[spag23]

Why did the inspector request to see your card? I assume it operated the barrier ok, so why would the inspector think that something was amiss and request to see it?

Because the barrier display flagged it up to him as a High Value Card? That's how they often catch youngsters swiping a Freedom Pass.

 

[Trainsforming_]

Why did the inspector request to see your card? I assume it operated the barrier ok, so why would the inspector think that something was amiss and request to see it?

(To other posters: do inspectors routinely request to see an Oyster card that has successfully opened the barrier?)

Clearly it must have indicated a staff pass or the like. Otherwise, I can't know for sure why he did.

 

[James H]

He had actually taken my oyster (standard one) thst morning, and had not realised.

Did he get as far as actually travelling using your Oyster card that day?

If he did, then his journey history might go some way to supporting your explanation of an accidental mix-up.

 

[SargeNpton]

Why did the inspector request to see your card? I assume it operated the barrier ok, so why would the inspector think that something was amiss and request to see it?

(To other posters: do inspectors routinely request to see an Oyster card that has successfully opened the barrier?)

Oyster Cards that have any sort of discounted fare applied flash a light on the gates when tapped. If a revenue check is being undertaken at that station then revenue inspectors will stop some users of those cards to make sure that they are the legitimate holders.

 

[WesternLancer]

It was a staff travel card, yes. He's aware, and upset its happend, but again neither of us knew of the mistake until it happend.


A lot of good advice, thank you Lancer.

Thanks - it did not dawn on me that it was a staff Oyster, so I endorse the other points being made on here. Given the seriousness of it (that you and your boyfriend clearly fully appreciate) shortening the letter you are writing may not in fact be a good idea. You of course need to be fully clear and unambiguous in what you write so you may want the space - as I assume you may well want to share it with your boyfriend so he can share it with his managers / union etc at work or whatever is deemed appropriate.

Good luck to you both in getting this sorted out of course.

I for one can see how the mistake happened, but of course better prevention would have been key, but you clearly appreciate that and have taken steps so sorry for 'stating the obvious' now. Not trying to lecture you.

 

[AlterEgo]

He's already done so, and will be haveing a meeting about it tomorrow.

Ok, good. Make sure he is represented in the meeting if it is of a disciplinary nature.

Why did the inspector request to see your card? I assume it operated the barrier ok, so why would the inspector think that something was amiss and request to see it?

(To other posters: do inspectors routinely request to see an Oyster card that has successfully opened the barrier?)

Inspectors routinely stop people tapping staff cards, which display a pattern of lights on the reader.

 

[Trainsforming_]

Thanks - it did not dawn on me that it was a staff Oyster, so I endorse the other points being made on here. Given the seriousness of it (that you and your boyfriend clearly fully appreciate) shortening the letter you are writing may not in fact be a good idea. You of course need to be fully clear and unambiguous in what you write so you may want the space - as I assume you may well want to share it with your boyfriend so he can share it with his managers / union etc at work or whatever is deemed appropriate.

Good luck to you both in getting this sorted out of course.

I for one can see how the mistake happened, but of course better prevention would have been key, but you clearly appreciate that and have taken steps so sorry for 'stating the obvious' now. Not trying to lecture you.

Not at all. You're advice has been really useful, and I've appreciated the feedback. Thanks for the luck! We'll need it.

 

[AlterEgo]

Another factor to be aware of is the prosecutors will audit the pass to see its journey history. If the pattern suggests you have used it more than once - and their own experience will tell them it’s very unusual to catch someone on their first misuse of the pass - this will make things very difficult going forward.

 

[AntoniC]

@Trainsforming_ , I am a Union rep who defends people who make mistakes.
My advice is if he is a Union Member is

1. NOT to go to any meetings with management WITHOUT Union Representation or without a colleague
2. Be honest , if he lies he is in trouble as they have the evidence

 

[some bloke]

We'll need [luck].

You need strategy.

I think I would delay sending the letter (you have a few days to email it) until you think more about how you and your boyfriend can best persuade TfL that this was an innocent mistake.

For example,

1. Have you briefed him in as much detail as reasonably possible about what you did, to try to avoid
a) confusion when he meets management
and/or
b) confusion later, as a result of something he tells management?

2. Details about how the mistake happened - I would include those, such as the further details you gave, instead of some of the detail in your draft. Think "why should they believe me, when someone might make up this kind of thing?".

3. Advice from the union (or from a solicitor via the union) as to the contents of your letter?

4. Statutory declarations (solemn declarations witnessed by a solicitor) from both of you?

5. Evidence of his journeys on your card - sounds a good idea from @James H , especially if your boyfriend's fares were more than yours would have been.

6. Make notes of your conversation with the inspector in case the notes clarify your thinking now or are useful later (while bearing in mind that memory can deceive).

7. To keep calm so you can deal with this more effectively: What evidence do you have for the doom-prophecy you presented? Would employers not ask about the circumstances, and so not be overly worried as long as they believed you? TfL often prosecute for Byelaw offences which don't imply dishonesty in the first place - even where it's pretty obvious it was deliberate. Have you looked at what the regulator would consider relevant offences, and what the procedure would be for investigating the significance or otherwise of an offence?

8. It may be worth hiring a solicitor.

9. Bear in mind that what each of you says and does, or omits to say or do, may affect the outcome for the other. Try to coordinate.

10. Make sure you do not say anything incorrect or inaccurate. Try to make sure what you and your boyfriend say can't be interpreted as contradicting what you or he have said elsewhere, including at the station when you were stopped. If one of you has already said something inaccurate, or unclear in some way which may be significant, that would need further thought.

11. Are you a (lapsed?) member of a union? Maybe a teachers' union would provide some guidance even to non-members who want to return to the profession.

 

[30907]

Could I just say that a conviction for travelling without a valid ticket, certainly for one occasion only, is likely to be under the TfL Byelaws and a "non recordable" offence. This seems to be TfL's normal approach. Even if it is picked up on your DBS, it is unlikely to be of great interest to a school (provided you tell them).

The disciplinary issue for your OH is a separate matter.

 

[Undiscovered]

I very, very rarely comment on these matters, but my spidey senses are tingling about an irregularity on the 9th being picked up and immediately flagged.

 

[furlong]

We've seen TfL be quick before, and I'd expect an investigation that has the potential to be a high value fraud and include suspension/prosecution of an employee to be handled at a pretty high priority, even if, once more facts are discovered, it may be found to fall outside that category.

 

[AlterEgo]

I very, very rarely comment on these matters, but my spidey senses are tingling about an irregularity on the 9th being picked up and immediately flagged.

This isn’t uncommon with staff pass misuse because TfL view it as the most serious form of abuse.

 

[Llanigraham]

Having seen the number of cases on here where Staff Travel Oyster Cards have been used incorrectly, sometimes on purpose, sometimes by accident, are they the same colour as the normal Oyster Cards held by Joe Public? Surely the one way that the accidental use could be prevented would be to have them a different colour?

 

[furlong]

One question is can you be 100% sure that you have never travelled using this card before? CCTV may be checked. Presumably it won't show you noticing it was the wrong card but continuing to use it regardless? Expect the travel history of the two cards to be compared, so do this yourself as best you can and be ready to explain anything that looks unusual. If everything points to it being a careless mistake, then hope to get away with slapped wrists and paying a settlement but anticipate at least a byelaw conviction and use the help of a solicitor try to get a discharge.

 

[pelli]

I very, very rarely comment on these matters, but my spidey senses are tingling about an irregularity on the 9th being picked up and immediately flagged.

We've seen TfL be quick before, and I'd expect an investigation that has the potential to be a high value fraud and include suspension/prosecution of an employee to be handled at a pretty high priority, even if, once more facts are discovered, it may be found to fall outside that category.

This isn’t uncommon with staff pass misuse because TfL view it as the most serious form of abuse.

The last few Disputes & Prosecution threads involving TfL where dates were provided have had similar fast turnarounds, regardless of type of offence:

• Caught with Freedom Pass 8th March, letter received 10th March,
• Caught with Freedom Pass Sat 11th February, letter received Tue 14th February,
• Caught with Freedom Pass 31st January, letter received 1st February,
• Caught with 11-15 Zip card 18th January, letter dated 19th January,
• Caught with bike on peak train 6th January, letter received 7th January.

I presume it's simply an indication that they have no backlog of cases, and sufficient staff to process the reports at the same rate as they come in. As long as there is no need to gather information from other sources that take a day or more to respond, an investigator could feasibly spend even a few hours on a more complicated case and still get a letter out within one day.

 

[Trainsforming_]

I very, very rarely comment on these matters, but my spidey senses are tingling about an irregularity on the 9th being picked up and immediately flagged.




That is literally being picked up, processed, verified and posted the same day to allow for postage and reception.




I think this may be a bot/machine learning account.

Picked up on the 9th.
Bf went to the station on the 10th.
Letter arrived 11th.
Also: just not a robot. Send me wathwrver catchpa u want.

 

[some bloke]

He had actually taken my oyster (standard one) thst morning, and had not realised.

That changes your defence/mitigation, and may change the case your boyfriend presents to management if he wasn't going to mention his mistake

- because acceptance of your story depends on acceptance that both he and you made mistakes.

I'm not saying that you or he shouldn't tell the whole truth including about his mistake - I would expect TfL to want full and frank answers and it would seem unwise to hide facts - but that you and he need to be aware that questions may be asked about both of your mistakes.

you say "journeys" plural...if they are not claiming you have made more then one journey - and so long as you had not already told them you have when you were stopped (be cautious if you can not recall exactly as you were distressed at that moment), I would see no reason to mention it

Might not mentioning it end up viewed badly where there's special attention to an investigation because of misuse of a staff pass? For example, could suspicion or perceived lack of candour from an employee, though not enough for a court, still be enough for a discretionary staff pass to be withdrawn or some adverse inference?