LemonandLime
New Member
Hi, I was in Liverpool a few days ago and travelled by train from Fazakerley to Liverpool Central. This was my first time travelling on Mersey rail and I purchased a ticket using trainline before I boarded the train, presuming it would give me an e-ticket, as it always has done over the last 2-3 years.
On arrival at Liverpool Central I tried to load my ticket QR code on the trainline app but then discovered it had only given me a collection number to collect the ticket. Of course this is my fault for not checking it beforehand. I presumed that Mersey rail would have technology for e-tickets.
At the barriers, I showed the operator my trainline booking and code. She let me through and pointed me in the direction of the ticket office to collect the ticket. I asked if she wanted to see the ticket and she sounded ambivalent. There was a long queue and no collection machines, and I didn't have long to get to Lime Street for my next train, so decided to leave. As I headed for the exit, a man in plain clothes approached and asked to see my ticket. He flashed a badge but I'm not sure if he was police or an RPO. I explained the situation but he took my details, read a caution, and issued me with a fine. Checking on the Mersey rail website, the cost is £125.
I understand that I didn't have a valid ticket, so I was right to be fined, and it seems a penalty fine would be fair (£100 or £50 if paid in 21 days, plus ticket price). From what I've read on: https://www.merseyrail.org/about-us/understanding-revenue-protection/, this isn't a penalty fine, but an out of court settlement for a prosecution.
I will pay the fine but my main questions are:
will that be the end of it after I have paid?
Will I be left with any criminal record as a result of this?
I also wondered if there is any reason they wouldn't have gone for a penalty fare but I don't think there's anything I can do about that now. I have never received any kind of fine on trains in the past. I've attached a copy of the slip of paper he gave me and he said I should also get something in the post.
On arrival at Liverpool Central I tried to load my ticket QR code on the trainline app but then discovered it had only given me a collection number to collect the ticket. Of course this is my fault for not checking it beforehand. I presumed that Mersey rail would have technology for e-tickets.
At the barriers, I showed the operator my trainline booking and code. She let me through and pointed me in the direction of the ticket office to collect the ticket. I asked if she wanted to see the ticket and she sounded ambivalent. There was a long queue and no collection machines, and I didn't have long to get to Lime Street for my next train, so decided to leave. As I headed for the exit, a man in plain clothes approached and asked to see my ticket. He flashed a badge but I'm not sure if he was police or an RPO. I explained the situation but he took my details, read a caution, and issued me with a fine. Checking on the Mersey rail website, the cost is £125.
I understand that I didn't have a valid ticket, so I was right to be fined, and it seems a penalty fine would be fair (£100 or £50 if paid in 21 days, plus ticket price). From what I've read on: https://www.merseyrail.org/about-us/understanding-revenue-protection/, this isn't a penalty fine, but an out of court settlement for a prosecution.
I will pay the fine but my main questions are:
will that be the end of it after I have paid?
Will I be left with any criminal record as a result of this?
I also wondered if there is any reason they wouldn't have gone for a penalty fare but I don't think there's anything I can do about that now. I have never received any kind of fine on trains in the past. I've attached a copy of the slip of paper he gave me and he said I should also get something in the post.
