Paddy10688
New Member
- Joined
- 22 Jun 2018
- Messages
- 3
Hello looking for some advice after receiving a letter from Transport Investigation Ltd after boardinga CrossCountry train from Birmingham New Street to Cheltenham Spa without a ticket.
I made a last minute decision to join a group of friends going to Cheltenham festival (March 2018). I met up with my friends at Birmingham New Street, who are regulars each year and this was my first experience. I have never been to Birmingham New Street before and I was overwhelmed by the size and how busy the station was. I was in good mood catching up with my friends that I wasn't really paying attention to the situation and we had walked through the ticket barriers which were down and unmanned. As we got the designated waiting queue for Cheltenham, we were directed by Network Rail Staff who were managing the station due to the sheer volumes of people, to go straight down to the platform.
I realised on the platform that I needed a ticket but I also didn't want to go back and miss the train and be split up from my friends. My friends had already pre-booked their tickets so the conversation of tickets didn't come up, not an excuse I know.
There was no ticket inspector on the train. When I got off the train I was stopped at Cheltenham Spa and questioned. My details and account was taken etc. The woman who interviewed me could not believe that the barriers were down and was very insistent that they would have been up. I have later found out that the following regarding barriers at Birmingham New Street:
"Barriers must be left open if they are unattended. This is for safety reasons. Much depends on time of day and the number of staff available."
I want to know if there is an option to settle this without going to court and what to include in my mitigating letter that I send back. I have drafted the following and would like some feedback please.
Dear XXXXXX,
Many thanks for your letter dated XXXXXX and offering me the opportunity to respond.
On 14 March 2018 I boarded the 10:09/10:17 CrossCountry service from Birmingham New Street to Cheltenham Spa. As I was in a rush I boarded this service without having purchased a ticket at Birmingham New Street, thinking I could buy one on board. Upon arrival at Cheltenham Spa I had still not purchased a ticket on board and was met by a member of staff on the platform who informed me I had broken the law and took my details.
I now realise that having boarded the train at Birmingham New Street without buying a ticket was wrong and against the law, and that being in a rush to catch the next train is not a valid excuse. I would like to offer my unreserved apologies for my actions and thank the officer at Cheltenham Spa for reminding me of the legal requirement to always purchase a ticket before boarding a train. I would also like to offer my reassurances that I have learned a lesson and will not board a train again without purchasing a ticket.
I am aware that my actions have cost CrossCountry financially. As suggested in your letter, I would like remedy this situation and avoid it being escalated further by way of an administrative settlement. I would like to offer payment of the appropriate outstanding fare and to cover any additional administrative costs you have incurred as a result of my inappropriate actions.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
Feedback will much appreciated.
EDIT: Would it be worth mentioning that I am regular train user and purchase a £1644 annual season ticket? Highlighting it this was an honest mistake?
I made a last minute decision to join a group of friends going to Cheltenham festival (March 2018). I met up with my friends at Birmingham New Street, who are regulars each year and this was my first experience. I have never been to Birmingham New Street before and I was overwhelmed by the size and how busy the station was. I was in good mood catching up with my friends that I wasn't really paying attention to the situation and we had walked through the ticket barriers which were down and unmanned. As we got the designated waiting queue for Cheltenham, we were directed by Network Rail Staff who were managing the station due to the sheer volumes of people, to go straight down to the platform.
I realised on the platform that I needed a ticket but I also didn't want to go back and miss the train and be split up from my friends. My friends had already pre-booked their tickets so the conversation of tickets didn't come up, not an excuse I know.
There was no ticket inspector on the train. When I got off the train I was stopped at Cheltenham Spa and questioned. My details and account was taken etc. The woman who interviewed me could not believe that the barriers were down and was very insistent that they would have been up. I have later found out that the following regarding barriers at Birmingham New Street:
"Barriers must be left open if they are unattended. This is for safety reasons. Much depends on time of day and the number of staff available."
I want to know if there is an option to settle this without going to court and what to include in my mitigating letter that I send back. I have drafted the following and would like some feedback please.
Dear XXXXXX,
Many thanks for your letter dated XXXXXX and offering me the opportunity to respond.
On 14 March 2018 I boarded the 10:09/10:17 CrossCountry service from Birmingham New Street to Cheltenham Spa. As I was in a rush I boarded this service without having purchased a ticket at Birmingham New Street, thinking I could buy one on board. Upon arrival at Cheltenham Spa I had still not purchased a ticket on board and was met by a member of staff on the platform who informed me I had broken the law and took my details.
I now realise that having boarded the train at Birmingham New Street without buying a ticket was wrong and against the law, and that being in a rush to catch the next train is not a valid excuse. I would like to offer my unreserved apologies for my actions and thank the officer at Cheltenham Spa for reminding me of the legal requirement to always purchase a ticket before boarding a train. I would also like to offer my reassurances that I have learned a lesson and will not board a train again without purchasing a ticket.
I am aware that my actions have cost CrossCountry financially. As suggested in your letter, I would like remedy this situation and avoid it being escalated further by way of an administrative settlement. I would like to offer payment of the appropriate outstanding fare and to cover any additional administrative costs you have incurred as a result of my inappropriate actions.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
Feedback will much appreciated.
EDIT: Would it be worth mentioning that I am regular train user and purchase a £1644 annual season ticket? Highlighting it this was an honest mistake?
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