Hi All,
I'm hoping for some advice after a very worrying run in this morning at London Liverpool Street.
I actually feel sick with the worry of it and cannot eat.
I travel to work in the City from Hertfordshire on Greater Anglia daily.
I have been in possession of a Staff Nominee Oyster for ten years but have only used it for my journey over the past 8/9 months
- ever since they installed Oyster Card readers at the station where i start my journey
- which i mistakenly thought meant i could now use this pass!
I have certainly shown it to ticket inspectors on the service before and they have nodded at it and walked on.
It also always opens the barriers at London liverpool Street and off i go on my journey....until this morning.
This morning, as i exited the barrier, card in hand, a gentleman in a TfL uniform asked to check my photocard
- he looked and said ok and off i went,
He called me back a few seconds after to 'read' the card with a small handheld machine and said where have you travelled from this morning
- I told him the answer.
he said im handing you over to a Greater Anglia Inspector as your ticket is invalid.
I stood, confused, and waited for the Greater Anglia gentleman to come over
who then proceeded to ask how often i'd done that journey using the card
- i anwered without hesitation and asked what the problem was, if he was trying to fine me.
To which he said you are not under arrest but gave me the 'you do not have to say anything...... etc - line'
- i became upset at this point and asked what was going on.
He asked me a number of questions,
called in my details and got me to sign a form when i said i had to leave after 30 mins with him as i'd be late for a meeting.
He said i would be hearing from the company and that it was my duty to know the terms and conditions of its use.
I was totally honest with my answers as i had nothing to hide
but since reading up on this i now see that i could face court/criminal convictions/thousands in fines
- the staff member may also lose his card./job.
I am a hardowrking mother of two young children now in tears and worried sick about this.
Any advice on a likely outcome/action and best next steps for me would be very welcome.
Thank you o much all in advance.