Train fine for not producing a valid ticket?

Question

So, about a month ago I got on a train at Station A and traveled to Station B. I did not buy a ticket at Station A because I knew I could either get a ticket from the conductor on the train or at Station B. However, since no conductor was present on the train that day (at least not in the carriage) I decided I could then buy my ticket at Station B.

So, I'm at Station B waiting in the queue to buy the ticket. I asked for a return from Station A to Station B. The man said that he couldn't offer me a ticket and that I had to talk to another man, who just so happened to be a Transport Investigator. He took me aside and accused me of having intent to avoid paying a train fare. I fail to see how this could be possible because I was just in the queue trying to buy a ticket, where I was refused a ticket only to then be cautioned for not having a ticket? This doesn't make sense because the reason I didn't have a ticket is because you wouldn't sell me one? It's not like I tried to leave the Station without paying, in which case I would own up to having no intent to pay a train fare and accept any consequences. (I compare this to a shop where you don't pay for each item as you are walking around, you pay at the end. If you leave the shop without paying, then you have no intent to pay for those items and only then should you be treated as a criminal)

Anyway, the other day I got a letter in the post stating there was enough evidence to warrant a prosecution and I may have to appear in court to receive a fine. Would my story hold up in court? It's not like a have a criminal record at current and I usually buy a seasonal ticket (and have done for several years) but this travel was a one off journey and I have in the past, as well as other people, brought a ticket at my destination Station or on the train. Would the fact that they refused to sell my a ticket before I was pulled aside make any difference, surely this shows that I obviously did have some intent to purchse a ticket? I don't see the point of having these ticket facilities at the destination Station if they're going to refuse me a ticket anyway.

Sorry for rambling, but I really don't feel like I have committed a criminal offense and really don't want to have a criminal record from this. Is there any point appealing this conviction or would it make no difference or would the fact that I'm appealing make it look like I'm guilty? Would my history of buying seasonal ticket for many years count in my favour?

Thanks in advance for any advice you could offer me!

Answer 1

Was there the ability to buy a ticket at Station A (either a ticket office or machine)? If so, then they've got you bang to rights because you MUST obtain a ticket BEFORE boarding the train if the facility is there - it doesn't matter if you were short of time, you have to allow for that. Failure to obtain the ticket before boarding when the ability to do so is there is taken as evidence that you were attempting to avoid payment.

Answer 2

The railway regulations require passengers to purchase a ticket before travelling, unless the service they are using is advertised as being a "Pay Train", where the guard collects the fares. Otherwise, when the ticket office is closed, there will be a ticket machine, and if this has broken down there is a 'permit to travel' machine. You pay part of the fare and receive a receipt showing where you boarded the train. You then have to pay the balance at the earliest opportunity, to the guard/conductor on the train, or at your destination.



If, for some reason, you fail to purchase a ticket before boarding (arrived at the station too late etc.) it is your responsibility to "seek out the guard/conductor" - the fact that he/she was not in your carriage won't wash. If the train has no guard - many short-distance trains in suburban areas are driver-only - then you must pay at the ticket barrier or office before leaving the station.



In your situation, the fact that you were waiting at the ticket office at your destination shows intent to pay your fare. However, you must understand that - in this situation - you have no proof of where you actually got on the train, and claiming that you boarded at a later station on the journey to reduce the fare is a common ploy of fare evaders. As the Revenue Protection Inspectors were present, the booking clerk has no option but to refer you to them. Yours is a tricky case, and if you can produce witnesses who will attest that you did nothing to antagonise the RPI this will help your appeal. Also, at the earliest opportunity get in touch with the Train Operating Company to make sure that they preserve any CCTV footage of the incident. If this can show that you headed directly from the train to the ticket office, this will help. Fare dodgers will often head for the exit, notice the RPIs, and then return to the ticket office to pay, hoping that no-one has noticed (someone usually already has: they are wise to this tactic!).



I wish you the best of luck but, in the final analysis, you were in breach of the regulations - which are prominently displayed at all stations, and usually on the trains as well.

Answer 3

I am not sure where you got the idea that you could buy a ticket from a conductor on the train, but it has not worked that way in years. The current rules are that you must be the ticket before you get on the first train. The ticket facilities at the station are for someone getting on their first train at that station. That is their point. They are not for someone who got off a train there.



The "offense" is getting on a train, without already having a ticket, that was purchased before you got on the train. Once you get on the train, without a ticket, the offense has happened, whether or not you are able to buy a ticket later.

Answer 4

You must by law purchase a ticket from the ticket office or ticket machine at Station A before boarding the train. If neither of these facilities is available, it is your responsibility to walk through the train to find the conductor. If it had not been possible to purchase a ticket for this journey, you would not be being prosecuted. End of story

Answer 5

First of all you are in the right, you were attempting to pay for a ticket for a journey you'd just completed. Make that as clear as possible on your defence and you should be OK.

Answer 6

whilst we've been college pupils, all of us tried that sidestep, you got caught. in case you have been in touch with paying, what you may desire to have stated to the fee ticket clerk replaced into, I even have in basic terms have been given off the prepare from A and no fee ticket broker replaced into on board, i might % to pay please. then you somewhat might have achieved the perfect ingredient, what you have been doing replaced into getting a loose experience from A, then getting a return fee ticket meaning you have had 3 rides for the fee of two. you got caught be smarter or greater truthful next time.

Answer 7

I would send a reply to wherever the letter came from explaining the situation.

Answer 8

Appeal it