Beb1994
Member
Hi guys,
A few weeks ago I was getting on my morning commute from Berkhansted to london euston. My normal routine is to buy a ticket at the machine for the whole day. I am currently trying to get a season ticket loan from work. This morning there was a hefty queue and I was running late so I hopped onto the train at the last second (there are no barriers) the train was incredibly busy as it always is. I did not buy a ticket and in the cases where this has happened before I usually head on the train line app and buy one on there but this morning I forgot.
In between watford junction and euston a ticket officer asked me for a ticket and I fessed up that I hadn't bought one and when he asked where I got on i stupidly said watford junction. I was very flustered as I usually have a ticket to show and I have no idea why I said it but I did, maybe I thought the fine would be less but who knows. He asks me how I got through I said the gates were open and i ran through. I paid the fine and thought that was that. After I get off at euston I am just about to leave the platform when he stops me and questions what j said about getting on at watford.
After a brief back and forth I admit to getting on at berkhansted and he says that in lying I have now committed fare evasion. He said that I didn't have to say anything as it may harm my defence (although he 100% did not read this out properly). He took my details and asked if I do this often. I explained what my usual routine is and he questions if, as there were no barriers at platform 14 at euston, whether I do this every day. He asked if I worked in finance and said I should warn them and started taking my details down from my driver's license.
I understand what I did was stupid and am happy to pay any fine or settlement as I know this is a lot of admin and expense for them, just so long as it doesn't go to court.
I have now received a letter asking me to confirm my details and to offer my side of the story. I plan on giving a brief outline of what happened, offering a sincere apology and ensuring this won't ever happen again (my annual season ticket has now arrived). Is there anything else you think I should do?
Thanks for your help!
A few weeks ago I was getting on my morning commute from Berkhansted to london euston. My normal routine is to buy a ticket at the machine for the whole day. I am currently trying to get a season ticket loan from work. This morning there was a hefty queue and I was running late so I hopped onto the train at the last second (there are no barriers) the train was incredibly busy as it always is. I did not buy a ticket and in the cases where this has happened before I usually head on the train line app and buy one on there but this morning I forgot.
In between watford junction and euston a ticket officer asked me for a ticket and I fessed up that I hadn't bought one and when he asked where I got on i stupidly said watford junction. I was very flustered as I usually have a ticket to show and I have no idea why I said it but I did, maybe I thought the fine would be less but who knows. He asks me how I got through I said the gates were open and i ran through. I paid the fine and thought that was that. After I get off at euston I am just about to leave the platform when he stops me and questions what j said about getting on at watford.
After a brief back and forth I admit to getting on at berkhansted and he says that in lying I have now committed fare evasion. He said that I didn't have to say anything as it may harm my defence (although he 100% did not read this out properly). He took my details and asked if I do this often. I explained what my usual routine is and he questions if, as there were no barriers at platform 14 at euston, whether I do this every day. He asked if I worked in finance and said I should warn them and started taking my details down from my driver's license.
I understand what I did was stupid and am happy to pay any fine or settlement as I know this is a lot of admin and expense for them, just so long as it doesn't go to court.
I have now received a letter asking me to confirm my details and to offer my side of the story. I plan on giving a brief outline of what happened, offering a sincere apology and ensuring this won't ever happen again (my annual season ticket has now arrived). Is there anything else you think I should do?
Thanks for your help!