Help with Railway fare situation

[helloworld]

Hi everyone,

I’d like to preface this by saying that I’m deeply regretful with this situation.

I travelled on a Merseyrail train mistakenly on a child’s ticket recently and got caught doing so. I was asked to give my details and simply left the train, no hassle or stick given to the person asking for my details.

I’ve had a similar previous experience like this a few years ago with Merseyrail, where I bought an online retailer ticket and didn’t print it out not realising that was the rules on Merseyrail. I pleaded with the man that I have my ticket and that I can just print it off but he refused. I was threatened and it really wasn’t a pleasant experience, but I paid my fine no issues.

I have really bad anxiety issues and simply left the train, with the person keeping my ticket that was printed off via an online retailer (me obviously handing it over assuming there was no issue). I am so incredibly upset over the situation and have honestly been having trouble getting to sleep with it fearing the worst (criminal record etc). I emailed Merseyrail 2 days after the incident giving my details, trying to explain my actions and apologising and making it clear I’d like to pay the fine.

Honestly I’m in bits with the situation as I don’t want to ruin my life over it, could anyone give any further advice?

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Hi everyone,

I’d like to preface this by saying that I’m deeply regretful with this situation.

I travelled on a Merseyrail train mistakenly on a child’s ticket recently and got caught doing so. I was asked to give my details and simply left the train, no hassle or stick given to the person asking for my details.

I’ve had a similar previous experience like this a few years ago with Merseyrail, where I bought an online retailer ticket and didn’t print it out not realising that was the rules on Merseyrail. I pleaded with the man that I have my ticket and that I can just print it off but he refused. I was threatened and it really wasn’t a pleasant experience, but I paid my fine no issues.

I have really bad anxiety issues and simply left the train, with the person keeping my ticket that was printed off via an online retailer (me obviously handing it over assuming there was no issue). I am so incredibly upset over the situation and have honestly been having trouble getting to sleep with it fearing the worst (criminal record etc). I emailed Merseyrail 2 days after the incident giving my details, trying to explain my actions and apologising and making it clear I’d like to pay the fine.

Honestly I’m in bits with the situation as I don’t want to ruin my life over it, could anyone give any further advice?

Welcome to the forum!

Just to give you the worst that can happen: Merseyrail might take you to court. You might be found guilty of fare evasion. You would be punished with a fine (plus costs etc.). For a year or so you would have to disclose this to employers, insurers and so on if they asked making it a bit more difficult to get a job, and insurance a bit more expensive.

And that's it. You won't be sent to prison and it won't stop you working again. The worst that can happen is that it costs you some money and it's rather embarrassing. It won't ruin your life.

 

[John R]

I have really bad anxiety issues and simply left the train

If you refused to give your details then you committed a second offence by failing to do so. Though we usually find that provided you cooperate in any future dealings about the incident then this shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

Maybe it goes without saying but if you have bad anxiety issues then it’s probably unwise to avoid paying the correct fare, as the fear of being caught, the confrontation when caught, and the subsequent process are all ones that would make anyone anxious, let alone someone who suffers from anxiety.

 

[enyoueffsea]

I travelled on a Merseyrail train mistakenly on a child’s ticket recently and got caught doing so.

How old are you?

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Hi everyone,

I travelled on a Merseyrail train mistakenly on a child’s ticket recently and got caught doing so.

Was this really a mistake? Can you really be 100% sure that you genuinely and accidentally bought the wrong ticket? How many times have you done this?

 

[island]

Just to give you the worst that can happen: Merseyrail might take you to court. You might be found guilty of fare evasion. You would be punished with a fine (plus costs etc.). For a year or so you would have to disclose this to employers, insurers and so on if they asked making it a bit more difficult to get a job, and insurance a bit more expensive.

How would Merseyrail be able to do that given the OP didn't give details and just got off the train?

 

[Islineclear3_1]

How would Merseyrail be able to do that given the OP didn't give details and just got off the train?

The OP emailed Merseyrail 2 days later giving his details

I emailed Merseyrail 2 days after the incident giving my details, trying to explain my actions and apologising and making it clear I’d like to pay the fine.