Hello
I was travelling on a Greater Anglia train b/w London and Bishop's Stortford when my ticket was inspected.
They asked to view my railcard, but I did not realise it had expired by 3 months.
The ticket inspector initially started taking photos of my expired railcard and then asked to view my trainline history. They then took a photo, showing I had taken about one return trip/week since the railcard expired. Initially, they asked for my name and address, but after a brief discussion and acknowledgement it was an oversight, he agreed to allow me to pay for a new full ticket and penalty fare.
I asked whether they were still going to report/pursue the others, but they said no, it's fine.
My questions:
1. If you have been issued and paid a penalty fare on the spot, can they still pursue a referral for prosecution/investigation? Even if they said they would not? (I am not sure if they would backtrack or if issuing a penalty fare precludes other action.)
2. They initially took photos of my expired railcard and trainline history. They initially asked for name and address, but then backtracked. Considering they did not formally take my name and address, can they still refer for prosecution? (I am concerned that if they do decide to investigate/prosecute, I am not sure what address they will send a letter to considering my trainline/railcard profile does not list these details as far as I can see).
3. How far back can they prosecute? I understand they have six months from the date of incident, but can they decide to prosecute for the other instances which weren't handed a penalty fare?
4. Does a ticket inspector formally have to note to the passenger they are pursuing an investigation/filing a report, and take a name and address? (If neither of these occured, can one consider the matter closed?)
Appreciate any reply as it was a genuine oversight.
Later that day, I purchased a renewed railcard.
The difference in fare for the period of an expired railcard would have amounted to only about £70, which was broadly covered by the on-the-spot penalty fare.
But I am overall not sure whether the ticket inspector would backtrack on their word and decide to file an incident report regardless for investigation.
I was travelling on a Greater Anglia train b/w London and Bishop's Stortford when my ticket was inspected.
They asked to view my railcard, but I did not realise it had expired by 3 months.
The ticket inspector initially started taking photos of my expired railcard and then asked to view my trainline history. They then took a photo, showing I had taken about one return trip/week since the railcard expired. Initially, they asked for my name and address, but after a brief discussion and acknowledgement it was an oversight, he agreed to allow me to pay for a new full ticket and penalty fare.
I asked whether they were still going to report/pursue the others, but they said no, it's fine.
My questions:
1. If you have been issued and paid a penalty fare on the spot, can they still pursue a referral for prosecution/investigation? Even if they said they would not? (I am not sure if they would backtrack or if issuing a penalty fare precludes other action.)
2. They initially took photos of my expired railcard and trainline history. They initially asked for name and address, but then backtracked. Considering they did not formally take my name and address, can they still refer for prosecution? (I am concerned that if they do decide to investigate/prosecute, I am not sure what address they will send a letter to considering my trainline/railcard profile does not list these details as far as I can see).
3. How far back can they prosecute? I understand they have six months from the date of incident, but can they decide to prosecute for the other instances which weren't handed a penalty fare?
4. Does a ticket inspector formally have to note to the passenger they are pursuing an investigation/filing a report, and take a name and address? (If neither of these occured, can one consider the matter closed?)
Appreciate any reply as it was a genuine oversight.
Later that day, I purchased a renewed railcard.
The difference in fare for the period of an expired railcard would have amounted to only about £70, which was broadly covered by the on-the-spot penalty fare.
But I am overall not sure whether the ticket inspector would backtrack on their word and decide to file an incident report regardless for investigation.