Byelaw offence for journey extensions?

[SandsofEss]

A question born out of curiosity.

I often see byelaw 18 (1) referenced on the forum ("no person shall enter any train for the purpose of travelling on the railway unless he has with him a valid ticket").

I have a season ticket that covers travel in my local area. When I travel further afield, I buy a ticket from the furthest extent of my season ticket to my destination.

I often buy this ticket on the train (before reaching the origin point of the ticket). I once forgot, and bought the ticket shortly after the origin point.

In that circumstance, was I technically committing an offence? If so, which one, given I did have a valid ticket when I 'entered' the train?

 

[Watershed]

Provided you are in possession of a ticket which is valid until at least the next stop when boarding, you don't commit an offence under Byelaw 18(1). As long you show this ticket upon inspection, as required by Byelaw 18(2), I don't see that any subsequent overtravelling would be captured by the Byelaws.

Instead it would be a question of whether an offence had been committed under section 5(3)(a) of the Regulation of Railways Act 1889, or section 103 of the Railway Consolidation Clauses Act 1845. These aren't 'absolute offences' as is the case for the Byelaws, so intent or knowing and wilful conduct (respectively) are required for an offence to be committed.

Buying an 'extension' ticket whilst onboard is therefore absolutely fine, provided you do so before your existing ticket expires.

 

[SandsofEss]

Thanks Watershed.

It's not anything I expect to come up in my travelling future, but good to know nonetheless.