Hey there all, I have a query on an incident that happened yesterday.
I had purchased a return journey in the morning for a stop I had intended to return to. My plans changed unexpectedly during the course of the day due to a family emergency and I needed to travel further than my intended destination. I used my purchased ticket to board the train and intended to pay for the extension in cash onboard or when I reached my destination.
I haven't used the rail service much this year due to the pandemic, and did not realise the conductor no longer allows tickets to be purchased onboard. I assumed I could pay for my ticket at my final destination as a newly installed ticket machine was available where I could pay with cash as my card is damaged and I am awaiting a new one, but I eventually opted to try the app to save any potential queuing.
As I reached the final stop, I purchased my ticket via the TFW app, my payment processed correctly and I thought nothing more of it, but I completely forgot to activate the ticket. I managed to do so on the platform just prior to encountering a Revenue Protection Officer.
The officer I first came across then stopped me and asked me to show my tickets, I had them all, and all were activated, albeit the extension was activated when I reached my destination. The officer took me aside and interviewed me under caution, took details and had my full compliance. Although I was pretty shocked by his reaction to the ticket being activated after I'd exited the train.
I understand that tickets need to be purchased prior to boarding, but I had a valid ticket for the start of my journey to be able to board, and had always fully intended to purchase the remainder of the journey, and eventually did just that.
I explained what had happened and my circumstances, but the Revenue Protection Officer seemed uninterested, and took a really accusatory tone. I gave my full details and the circumstances of my journey, along with the factors that led to me travelling further. I admitted to having purchased the ticket as I arrived at my destination and that I had no intention of evading the fare or avoiding the Officers.
He handed me a leaflet informing me I could face a fine of up to £1000 and a prosecution.
I am so distressed this has happened, I work in the charity sector and pride myself on my honesty and moral values. This was a genuine mistake and lapse of judgement on my part as I hadn't realised the potential implications of this kind of situation. I fully accepted that in future I will ensure that any unexpected travel extensions will be purchased in advance, but the officer was adamant with how he wished to proceed.
Does anyone have any help/advice/experience on what happens next? I have never been through this process before, nor had I expected to. I am so worried about what might happen to me as a result of this
I had purchased a return journey in the morning for a stop I had intended to return to. My plans changed unexpectedly during the course of the day due to a family emergency and I needed to travel further than my intended destination. I used my purchased ticket to board the train and intended to pay for the extension in cash onboard or when I reached my destination.
I haven't used the rail service much this year due to the pandemic, and did not realise the conductor no longer allows tickets to be purchased onboard. I assumed I could pay for my ticket at my final destination as a newly installed ticket machine was available where I could pay with cash as my card is damaged and I am awaiting a new one, but I eventually opted to try the app to save any potential queuing.
As I reached the final stop, I purchased my ticket via the TFW app, my payment processed correctly and I thought nothing more of it, but I completely forgot to activate the ticket. I managed to do so on the platform just prior to encountering a Revenue Protection Officer.
The officer I first came across then stopped me and asked me to show my tickets, I had them all, and all were activated, albeit the extension was activated when I reached my destination. The officer took me aside and interviewed me under caution, took details and had my full compliance. Although I was pretty shocked by his reaction to the ticket being activated after I'd exited the train.
I understand that tickets need to be purchased prior to boarding, but I had a valid ticket for the start of my journey to be able to board, and had always fully intended to purchase the remainder of the journey, and eventually did just that.
I explained what had happened and my circumstances, but the Revenue Protection Officer seemed uninterested, and took a really accusatory tone. I gave my full details and the circumstances of my journey, along with the factors that led to me travelling further. I admitted to having purchased the ticket as I arrived at my destination and that I had no intention of evading the fare or avoiding the Officers.
He handed me a leaflet informing me I could face a fine of up to £1000 and a prosecution.
I am so distressed this has happened, I work in the charity sector and pride myself on my honesty and moral values. This was a genuine mistake and lapse of judgement on my part as I hadn't realised the potential implications of this kind of situation. I fully accepted that in future I will ensure that any unexpected travel extensions will be purchased in advance, but the officer was adamant with how he wished to proceed.
Does anyone have any help/advice/experience on what happens next? I have never been through this process before, nor had I expected to. I am so worried about what might happen to me as a result of this