This is key to whether it was accidental or deliberate. Forcing your way through closing barriers so close to the person in front is a sure sign of fare evasion.
So I think the chances of TfL (through the person that stopped you) believing it was an accident are very low.
This makes sense, i understand where you guys are coming from.
as i mentioned i was in a rush. it was a silly thing i should've just waited a little longer, a few extra seconds could of avoided this whole matter but in the mist of things i wasn't thinking straight, it was the fear of being late and possibly losing my job. the line was busy, i thought i just tap my card and the gates open back up after closing quickly but that wasnt the case, the gates have to close first before opening up again.
how can i express this, does it make sense?
MY UPDATED RESPONSE.
This letter is regarding the incident that occurred on 25 April. I was running late for work and was in a rush- it was busy at the Hayes and Harlington station that day, people where queueing up.
I was pacing around the station and wanted to catch the train as soon as possible, I recently found out there are 10 trains an hour, so this isn’t an excuse but in the mist of things I was more concerned about being late and losing my job. I tapped my card on the reader and proceeded to pace through. The gates closed on me last second because my card didn’t register properly. I thought it will open back up because I had tapped my card but clearly this wasn’t the case.
I attempted to rectify the situation by paying again at the exit a couple minutes later, but staff advised me it wouldn’t make a difference.
A staff told me to come to the side asking for ID, in which he took down my details.
We had a friendly encounter; I was compliant and didn’t make his job difficult.
I like to sincerely apologise to the anyone in the TFL team which I have caused an inconvenience too, it was never my intention to fare evade. I understand the severity of the offence and would take full accountability and responsibility for what I have done, I am aware I have tailgated, and fare evaded however it was never my intention, I was truly uneducated on how the system works, thinking if I tap my card, it will stay open.
This is a really embarrassing matter, and I’m truly disappointed in my actions, I went back to the same station a couple days later asking for information on why my card didn’t go through and how the barriers work.
I now know I must hold it for 3 seconds and must wait for the gates to be closed fully. it will not open back up halfway through closing. Going forward, I am now aware of what needs to be done- I will wait for the gates to fully close and hold my card for 3 seconds.
I understand this process costs the TFL, hence why I am offering to pay the outstanding fare and TfL's administrative costs in dealing with the matter and would be keen to settle the matter without the need for court action.
I would like to conclude by saying I’m sorry for what I have done and for what im making the team go through, I take full accountability for what has happened and can ensure you this will never happen again. I understand my mistake and going forward I will make sure the gates are fully closed and hold my card for a minimum of 3 seconds.