Hi Everyone,
I have been trawling through the different threads an forums before posting this. I can't seem to find any situations similar to mine. I am desperate for some advice or guidance as Northern Rail haven't been very helpful. I have detailed as much as I can below.
I'll give you the background of the situation. I have travelled from St Helens to Manchester since 2010 and have bought monthly tickets every month for that journey. Earlier this year I met someone who lived in Eccles and I realised that I could park for free at Eccles and get the train into Manchester. This was useful for me if I stayed in Eccles overnight, plus I also could drive to Eccles and park more cheaply than a monthly season ticket from St Helens. Therefore I bought a monthly season ticket from Eccles to Manchester in May, and have bought one every month since.
However, I do still live in St Helens and there are occasions when I get the train from St Helens. This is either if I oversleep (I have to leave early when I drive) or if I am meeting my mum for a spin class before work in St Helens.
On the day in question I was travelling on a train from St Helens to Manchester. I had to travel from St Helens for 2 days that week as I was meeting my mum for spin classes at 7am so I wasn't driving into Eccles. The previous day a new guard was on the train who I had never seen before. I showed him my season ticket from Eccles to Manchester, and then asked for a ticket between St Helens and Eccles to make up the difference. Being a friendly northerner, I made conversation with the guard whilst he was doing my ticket, and told him how I usually drive. The guard issued me a ticket no problem and moved on. The next day the same guard was on the train and I did the same thing. The guard issued me a ticket as he did the previous day, and he then asked if he could have a word. He took me to one side and said that it is an offence to board the train without a ticket, and that this is the second day it has happened. He then went on to say that as my season ticket is for a shorter journey he thinks I have just bought it to get through the ticket barrier at Manchester. I explained to him again that more often than not I drive, as it works out cheaper for me in petrol and free parking. The guard ignored me and said he doesn't care. He said he was taking my season ticket and would issue a report to the Prosecutions team and let them deal with it. He then asked me to give the ticket back to him that I had just bought. He took the ticket and asked for my debit card. I was really upset and confused so I handed it over. He put a refund back on my card and said I'd be hearing from them. I asked him numerous times what that meant and he said I'd be prosecuted. I got upset and explained again my situation. I even told him they can look at my records and will see until 4 months ago I have always bought my season ticket from St Helens. I even had my tickets in my bag from other occasions when I have had to buy one from St Helens.
He then walked off, so when we got to Victoria I asked what am I supposed to do to get out and will he please come to customer service with me. He came to a customer service person with me who I spoke to. The guard then asked for my name and address, which I gave him freely (although they'll have this from my season ticket). He then told the lady at customer service that yesterday I covered up my pass that I showed him and didn't ask for a ticket. I got annoyed then and told him he was lying. I asked him if that was the case why didn't he do something yesterday. He then left. Customer services simply told me to await a letter from Northern. I then phoned the prosecutions team straight away to find out what on earth was going on. He told me the guard will fill out a MG11 form and then I would be contacted and asked for my version of events.
I am really worried now. The guard was accusing me of defrauding Northern Rail (his words). I don't know how I can prove my situation. I have some tickets, and also bank statements to show when I have bought tickets using a debit card. I also buy tickets using cash.
I am terrified that I will get prosecuted. I cannot have a criminal record as I work in finance and I would lose my job.
I have no idea what will happen next and what the likely outcome is.
I understand that travelling without a valid ticket is an offence. And of that I am guilty. I always buy my ticket on the train because I am always running late. However on the Liverpool to Manchester line the guard always comes up and down the train to check tickets. I said to the guard and customer service that I understand I should buy a ticket at the ticket office. A few months ago I tried to buy my ticket at Victoria and they told me then I should buy it at the ticket office and issued me a notice to pay (not a fine, just a letter to pay the fare).
I am worrying myself sick. The gentleman in question was very abrupt. He sold me a ticket and then took it back off me. He accused me of trying to hide that my season ticket was from eccles (even though I specifically asked him for the ticket between st Helens and eccles).
I just don't know what to do or what to expect.
Can anyone help?
I have been trawling through the different threads an forums before posting this. I can't seem to find any situations similar to mine. I am desperate for some advice or guidance as Northern Rail haven't been very helpful. I have detailed as much as I can below.
I'll give you the background of the situation. I have travelled from St Helens to Manchester since 2010 and have bought monthly tickets every month for that journey. Earlier this year I met someone who lived in Eccles and I realised that I could park for free at Eccles and get the train into Manchester. This was useful for me if I stayed in Eccles overnight, plus I also could drive to Eccles and park more cheaply than a monthly season ticket from St Helens. Therefore I bought a monthly season ticket from Eccles to Manchester in May, and have bought one every month since.
However, I do still live in St Helens and there are occasions when I get the train from St Helens. This is either if I oversleep (I have to leave early when I drive) or if I am meeting my mum for a spin class before work in St Helens.
On the day in question I was travelling on a train from St Helens to Manchester. I had to travel from St Helens for 2 days that week as I was meeting my mum for spin classes at 7am so I wasn't driving into Eccles. The previous day a new guard was on the train who I had never seen before. I showed him my season ticket from Eccles to Manchester, and then asked for a ticket between St Helens and Eccles to make up the difference. Being a friendly northerner, I made conversation with the guard whilst he was doing my ticket, and told him how I usually drive. The guard issued me a ticket no problem and moved on. The next day the same guard was on the train and I did the same thing. The guard issued me a ticket as he did the previous day, and he then asked if he could have a word. He took me to one side and said that it is an offence to board the train without a ticket, and that this is the second day it has happened. He then went on to say that as my season ticket is for a shorter journey he thinks I have just bought it to get through the ticket barrier at Manchester. I explained to him again that more often than not I drive, as it works out cheaper for me in petrol and free parking. The guard ignored me and said he doesn't care. He said he was taking my season ticket and would issue a report to the Prosecutions team and let them deal with it. He then asked me to give the ticket back to him that I had just bought. He took the ticket and asked for my debit card. I was really upset and confused so I handed it over. He put a refund back on my card and said I'd be hearing from them. I asked him numerous times what that meant and he said I'd be prosecuted. I got upset and explained again my situation. I even told him they can look at my records and will see until 4 months ago I have always bought my season ticket from St Helens. I even had my tickets in my bag from other occasions when I have had to buy one from St Helens.
He then walked off, so when we got to Victoria I asked what am I supposed to do to get out and will he please come to customer service with me. He came to a customer service person with me who I spoke to. The guard then asked for my name and address, which I gave him freely (although they'll have this from my season ticket). He then told the lady at customer service that yesterday I covered up my pass that I showed him and didn't ask for a ticket. I got annoyed then and told him he was lying. I asked him if that was the case why didn't he do something yesterday. He then left. Customer services simply told me to await a letter from Northern. I then phoned the prosecutions team straight away to find out what on earth was going on. He told me the guard will fill out a MG11 form and then I would be contacted and asked for my version of events.
I am really worried now. The guard was accusing me of defrauding Northern Rail (his words). I don't know how I can prove my situation. I have some tickets, and also bank statements to show when I have bought tickets using a debit card. I also buy tickets using cash.
I am terrified that I will get prosecuted. I cannot have a criminal record as I work in finance and I would lose my job.
I have no idea what will happen next and what the likely outcome is.
I understand that travelling without a valid ticket is an offence. And of that I am guilty. I always buy my ticket on the train because I am always running late. However on the Liverpool to Manchester line the guard always comes up and down the train to check tickets. I said to the guard and customer service that I understand I should buy a ticket at the ticket office. A few months ago I tried to buy my ticket at Victoria and they told me then I should buy it at the ticket office and issued me a notice to pay (not a fine, just a letter to pay the fare).
I am worrying myself sick. The gentleman in question was very abrupt. He sold me a ticket and then took it back off me. He accused me of trying to hide that my season ticket was from eccles (even though I specifically asked him for the ticket between st Helens and eccles).
I just don't know what to do or what to expect.
Can anyone help?
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