I made the daft, last-second decision to try to pay a reduced fare on a journey from Cardiff to Bristol at the beginning of August. The opportunity arose because the guard/conductor on the first part of the journey from my local station was stuck at the other end of the train chatting to passengers and not checking tickets or taking fares (I should note that there are no warning signs at my local station stating that it is a criminal offence to board without a ticket, and I have never previously had a problem purchasing one on board, although there is a solitary ticket machine on the platform...which has failed me 3 times before, so I have become wary about using it).
So I arrived at Cardiff Central and saw the GWR service drawing up to the platform and got straight on it (with 3 heavy pieces of luggage), fully intending to pay when the conductor came around. However, he disappeared for the rest of the journey (I suspect he might have been in the driver's cab), and not wanting to leave my luggage unattended, I decided to try and pay at the 'unpaid fares' kiosk when I arrived at Temple Meads, which I've done on a previous occasion. However, as I approached, I had the idiotic notion to try and pay a lesser fare by claiming that I'd come from a much nearer station. Unfortunately, a handsome young Revenue Protection Officer happened to be there and asked me a couple of awkward questions before I admitted the truth, apologised for my stupidity and offered to pay the full fare. However, he produced his little black book, took my details under caution and advised me that I would receive a letter from the Prosecutions Unit within a couple of weeks. I stressed to him twice that I would be unable to do anything about it for approximately 6 weeks - mid-September - as I would be abroad for that amount of time (hence the luggage). He said he would let "them" know, but he had stopped writing in his little black book by then, so I am not sure or confident that this significant piece of information will have been passed on.
I live alone and have no one to check my post while I'm away, so I'm worried that the letter might have arrived, either giving me the chance to pay a fine or threatening me with court action. Of course, I can prove that I wasn't there when I return, through my flight details etc....but I'm concerned it might be too late by then :cry:
I have searched for an email address to contact them, but without success.
Anyone had a similar dilemma or can offer any advice? Thanks.
So I arrived at Cardiff Central and saw the GWR service drawing up to the platform and got straight on it (with 3 heavy pieces of luggage), fully intending to pay when the conductor came around. However, he disappeared for the rest of the journey (I suspect he might have been in the driver's cab), and not wanting to leave my luggage unattended, I decided to try and pay at the 'unpaid fares' kiosk when I arrived at Temple Meads, which I've done on a previous occasion. However, as I approached, I had the idiotic notion to try and pay a lesser fare by claiming that I'd come from a much nearer station. Unfortunately, a handsome young Revenue Protection Officer happened to be there and asked me a couple of awkward questions before I admitted the truth, apologised for my stupidity and offered to pay the full fare. However, he produced his little black book, took my details under caution and advised me that I would receive a letter from the Prosecutions Unit within a couple of weeks. I stressed to him twice that I would be unable to do anything about it for approximately 6 weeks - mid-September - as I would be abroad for that amount of time (hence the luggage). He said he would let "them" know, but he had stopped writing in his little black book by then, so I am not sure or confident that this significant piece of information will have been passed on.
I live alone and have no one to check my post while I'm away, so I'm worried that the letter might have arrived, either giving me the chance to pay a fine or threatening me with court action. Of course, I can prove that I wasn't there when I return, through my flight details etc....but I'm concerned it might be too late by then :cry:
I have searched for an email address to contact them, but without success.
Anyone had a similar dilemma or can offer any advice? Thanks.