Hi there
I’m new to the forum so please bear with me! I’m sorry this is quite long but I wanted to include all relevant detail please.
I’m a first time “offender”
[1] Planned journey in October 2019
[1.1] My local station (in England) has no ticket facilities
[1.2] Planned arrival into Cardiff gives me 12 minutes to go to unpaid fares and pay for tickets
## I have travelled before to Cardiff, same day & time as recently as September 2019, and always used unpaid fares. I know where it is and how long it takes, and 12 mins is more than enough under normal conditions ##
[1.3] Catch connection to Bridgend
## I have never travelled beyond Cardiff ##
[2] Actual journey
[2.1] Train arrives late by 14 mins, but still shows unchanged arrival time into Cardiff
## no worries – I still have 12 mins at Cardiff to buy all tickets ##
[2.2] Ticket conductor does not pass through train (would have used otherwise)
[2.3] Train arrives late into Cardiff leaving me 4 mins to make connection
[2.4] Alighting, I spot the train opposite (yards away) is my Bridgend connection
[2.5] Immediately jump on board (only thought at that point is to make the connection – I’m being met at Bridgend)
## I know for a fact 4 mins is not enough time to visit unpaid fares ##
[2.6] Tell the first train staff I see (refreshments trolley) I need to buy tickets and would the conductor be passing though
[2.7] Was told the conductor is at rear of train and not to worry
[2.8] Before arriving in Bridgend she has not passed through, so I look for her (walk to rear through 1st class and cannot find)
[2.9] Arrive @ Bridgend and goto first desk I see (Transport police?). I need to buy tickets
## assumed there would also be unpaid fares at Bridgend but never been to Bridgend before ##
[2.10] Was told to speak to gentleman at ticket barrier
[2.11] Told ticket barrier gentleman I need to buy a ticket for full journey (not short journey I must add!)
[2.12] Gentleman at barrier calls over revenue inspector – cautioned, details taken and statement given.
I should also add that, although this whole process was a shock, the revenue officer at Bridgend was courteous and treated me with respect at all times. I was very grateful for that.
I pretty much provided this statement on the day to the inspector, and received a 1st letter from TIL quoting an “administrative option” of £88, and asking for mitigating evidence, to which I have provided (the finer detail and full apology).
I fully expected to have to pay the rail fare (approx. £20), and a possible admin fee, but £88 seemed harsh.
I have since received a 2nd letter saying their position has not changed, but also saying I failed to pay @ Bridgend leaving the inspector no choice but to file a report. That is categorically not true – that’s what I asked to do but was not given the choice - so I have requested a call back to please speak with the case worker to confirm there is no ambiguity in the details I have provided. I’m waiting to hear back.
The 2nd letter from TIL reads a little more worrying, alleging an offence of “intent to evade fare” and an application for a possible summons being made. I have 14 days to respond.
I fully accept my decision making process on the day, which was driven by time pressures outside of my control (which I know is no excuse), but I had every intent to purchase all tickets and feel I made every reasonable proactive attempt to purchase. In hindsight I could have gone to unpaid fares at Cardiff & missed my connection – but maybe that’s what I was expected to do?
==============
In summary:
==============
Does this simply boil down to please:
[1] My version of events, intentions & attempts to purchase are my word only
[2] Whereas TIL can prove I had no ticket at Bridgend (I cannot refute that)
[3] In which case my mitigation evidence is not relevant
[4] Having no ticket is by default assumed to be a criminal intent to fare evade, hence the £88 “administrative option” to avoid a court summons.
..and just pay the charge and be done with it?
I appreciate that, whilst still a lot, £88 is reasonable compared to other passenger experiences, but this process feels like a settlement to avoid criminal proceedings – i.e. inferring I have consciously done something dishonest and wrong - rather than a passenger making a genuine mistake - and I just want to ensure I’m being treated fairly please. It’s really bothering me and I can’t stop thinking about it (!)
Any advice would be very welcome please.
Kind regards
TP
I’m new to the forum so please bear with me! I’m sorry this is quite long but I wanted to include all relevant detail please.
I’m a first time “offender”
[1] Planned journey in October 2019
[1.1] My local station (in England) has no ticket facilities
[1.2] Planned arrival into Cardiff gives me 12 minutes to go to unpaid fares and pay for tickets
## I have travelled before to Cardiff, same day & time as recently as September 2019, and always used unpaid fares. I know where it is and how long it takes, and 12 mins is more than enough under normal conditions ##
[1.3] Catch connection to Bridgend
## I have never travelled beyond Cardiff ##
[2] Actual journey
[2.1] Train arrives late by 14 mins, but still shows unchanged arrival time into Cardiff
## no worries – I still have 12 mins at Cardiff to buy all tickets ##
[2.2] Ticket conductor does not pass through train (would have used otherwise)
[2.3] Train arrives late into Cardiff leaving me 4 mins to make connection
[2.4] Alighting, I spot the train opposite (yards away) is my Bridgend connection
[2.5] Immediately jump on board (only thought at that point is to make the connection – I’m being met at Bridgend)
## I know for a fact 4 mins is not enough time to visit unpaid fares ##
[2.6] Tell the first train staff I see (refreshments trolley) I need to buy tickets and would the conductor be passing though
[2.7] Was told the conductor is at rear of train and not to worry
[2.8] Before arriving in Bridgend she has not passed through, so I look for her (walk to rear through 1st class and cannot find)
[2.9] Arrive @ Bridgend and goto first desk I see (Transport police?). I need to buy tickets
## assumed there would also be unpaid fares at Bridgend but never been to Bridgend before ##
[2.10] Was told to speak to gentleman at ticket barrier
[2.11] Told ticket barrier gentleman I need to buy a ticket for full journey (not short journey I must add!)
[2.12] Gentleman at barrier calls over revenue inspector – cautioned, details taken and statement given.
I should also add that, although this whole process was a shock, the revenue officer at Bridgend was courteous and treated me with respect at all times. I was very grateful for that.
I pretty much provided this statement on the day to the inspector, and received a 1st letter from TIL quoting an “administrative option” of £88, and asking for mitigating evidence, to which I have provided (the finer detail and full apology).
I fully expected to have to pay the rail fare (approx. £20), and a possible admin fee, but £88 seemed harsh.
I have since received a 2nd letter saying their position has not changed, but also saying I failed to pay @ Bridgend leaving the inspector no choice but to file a report. That is categorically not true – that’s what I asked to do but was not given the choice - so I have requested a call back to please speak with the case worker to confirm there is no ambiguity in the details I have provided. I’m waiting to hear back.
The 2nd letter from TIL reads a little more worrying, alleging an offence of “intent to evade fare” and an application for a possible summons being made. I have 14 days to respond.
I fully accept my decision making process on the day, which was driven by time pressures outside of my control (which I know is no excuse), but I had every intent to purchase all tickets and feel I made every reasonable proactive attempt to purchase. In hindsight I could have gone to unpaid fares at Cardiff & missed my connection – but maybe that’s what I was expected to do?
==============
In summary:
==============
Does this simply boil down to please:
[1] My version of events, intentions & attempts to purchase are my word only
[2] Whereas TIL can prove I had no ticket at Bridgend (I cannot refute that)
[3] In which case my mitigation evidence is not relevant
[4] Having no ticket is by default assumed to be a criminal intent to fare evade, hence the £88 “administrative option” to avoid a court summons.
..and just pay the charge and be done with it?
I appreciate that, whilst still a lot, £88 is reasonable compared to other passenger experiences, but this process feels like a settlement to avoid criminal proceedings – i.e. inferring I have consciously done something dishonest and wrong - rather than a passenger making a genuine mistake - and I just want to ensure I’m being treated fairly please. It’s really bothering me and I can’t stop thinking about it (!)
Any advice would be very welcome please.
Kind regards
TP
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