I've got to say that for someone who has admitted a mistake and not understood the implications of what was being offered, talking about £45K settlements is scaremongering of the highest degree. I think RPIs could often do a lot of good if they more clearly explained what the penalty fare is for and what refusing it might entail, before accepting the refusal.
And letting them think that it could be dealt with for £20 in the poor-box doesn't help either (and I did put that settlement into some context).
Regarding the wider issue of explaining the full implications of a refusal (or of giving a false address), I've been on the other end of this, and quite a lot of people refuse to accept any explanation, they get so caught up in their sense of righteous indignation that somebody is telling them that they are in the wrong that they will not accept anything other than their perception of the situation.
I usually end up telling them it will all in in tears. And I'm usually right. And the tears are theirs.
I'm not saying all RPI's are perfect, and all passengers are hardened fare evaders. But RPI's (and guards) deal with the same issues day after day. They get a "script" in their heads that is understood by the vast majority of passengers in that situation. But some passengers won't listen to what's being said, and there is only so many time that one can repeat oneself before it becomes a waste of breath and things have to move on to the next step.
(Personally, I'll do one polite, one direct, and one very direct and a little bit louder to be heard over their shouting - then I pass it down the line to the bod with the badge).
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Ok. I'll report back when I receive the letter and tell you what they say.
Thank you and everyone who advised, it's much appreciated as I thought I was going to be locked up :eek:
Not this time