TFL FARE EVASION AND PROSECUTION

[Lehyroswaggs]

My wife used my student photocard on the elizabeth line and on inspection by the tfl officer, he found out that the card wasnt hers. He took her name and address, and said she was supposed to be prosecuted but she won't, that they were going to send a letter. The letter was sent last week and we have pleaded guilty, and also requested that we were willing to settle out of court by paying a penalty fare and any other charges, because we dont have to have a criminal record on the DBS.
However, they replied today saying they got her email, and unfortunately, this kind of issues are for prosecution and they dont usually settle out of court. they mentioned we will be contacted as soon as they have reached a decision.

now, we are scared, we dont know what to do. Can anyone that has faced same advice pls?

 

[bikesntrains77]

You'll see from various posts on this forum that TFL are more likely to seek prosecutions than other operators. I guess this is because of the size of their network and needing to have strong deterrents for fare evasion.

Given your partner pleaded guilty I don't think there's much you can do other than follow the process. However, if you want the advice of the wider forum you could upload a copy of your letter, making sure to blank out any personal details / reference numbers etc and we'll be able to see what law you're been prosecuted under and advise on likely impact on DBS etc.

 

[30907]

While TfL rarely settle out of court, they almost always seem to prosecute under their byelaws, the least serious offence possible.

Such a conviction may show on an Enhanced DBS, but is unlikely to be regarded by a potential employer as terribly serious - provided you declare it when applying.

 

[Gloster]

When you say that you/she ‘pleaded guilty’, you presumably mean that you admitted that you had committed the offence in your reply to TfL. Is this correct? (Presumably the letter was not from a court, but from TfL.)

 

[Lehyroswaggs]

When you say that you/she ‘pleaded guilty’, you presumably mean that you admitted that you had committed the offence in your reply to TfL. Is this correct? (Presumably the letter was not from a court, but from TfL.)

yes, we admitted to committing the offence

 

[furlong]

He took her name and address, and said she was supposed to be prosecuted but she won't, that they were going to send a letter.

The accuracy of this is very important. Was the inspector recording the interaction on video? If so, make sure she asks for a copy (or transcript) when the court papers arrive as, if true, she'll no doubt want to make the court aware of it before her case is heard.

Perhaps rather what was said was that she wouldn't be issued with a Penalty Fare?

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

Transport for London take misuse of Student Oyster cards very seriously and a prosecution under the TfL Bylaws is the usual outcome. It sounds as though they sent you a Verification Letter which is an initial letter asking whether you admit or deny the offence and asking for any mitigating circumstances you want them to take into account before they decide how to proceed.

TfL have now decided to prosecute you for this. We really need to see the paperwork you've been sent - can you upload it but do cover up your name, address and case reference number before doing so.

Here's a link to TfL's Revenue Enforcement & Prosecutions Policy which you might find worth reading:

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/revenue-enforcement-and-prosecutions-policy.pdf

 

[Mona]

My wife used my student photocard on the elizabeth line and on inspection by the tfl officer, he found out that the card wasnt hers. He took her name and address, and said she was supposed to be prosecuted but she won't, that they were going to send a letter. The letter was sent last week and we have pleaded guilty, and also requested that we were willing to settle out of court by paying a penalty fare and any other charges, because we dont have to have a criminal record on the DBS.
However, they replied today saying they got her email, and unfortunately, this kind of issues are for prosecution and they dont usually settle out of court. they mentioned we will be contacted as soon as they have reached a decision.

now, we are scared, we dont know what to do. Can anyone that has faced same advice pls?

Welcome to the forum!

Transport for London take misuse of Student Oyster cards very seriously and a prosecution under the TfL Bylaws is the usual outcome. It sounds as though they sent you a Verification Letter which is an initial letter asking whether you admit or deny the offence and asking for any mitigating circumstances you want them to take into account before they decide how to proceed.

TfL have now decided to prosecute you for this. We really need to see the paperwork you've been sent - can you upload it but do cover up your name, address and case reference number before doing so.

Here's a link to TfL's Revenue Enforcement & Prosecutions Policy which you might find worth reading:

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/revenue-enforcement-and-prosecutions-policy.pdf

Did you solve the problem?

 

[Hadders]

Did you solve the problem?

Please start your own thread if you are in need of assistance. We have a rule to only discuss one case in each thread, because however similar cases might appear at first experience has taught us that no two cases are ever the same.