How to deal with transport investigations?

[dna1963]

my son purchased an annual train ticket for the duration of his work placement for his 3rd year of his degree - at a cost of c.£1,800.

 

on one of the days covered by this annual ticket, whilst already travelling, he was asked to show his ticket - he had forgotten his wallet and therefore could not show the annual ticket.

 

he did not have any cash, so could not purchase a ticket for that day's travel.

 

the guard reported the incident and my son received a threat of summons - no mention of any other means of resolving the situation.

 

we wrote a letter, explaining that he had an annual ticket covering the day in question and apologised unreservedly for not being able to show his ticket on the day in question.

 

he received a further letter threatening summons, suggesting that he had travelled with the intention of not paying for the trip, despite the fact that he had explained that he had an annual (expensive) ticket, covering that day, therefore clearly paying upfront for the travel.

 

they have now offered to forget the issue, if he pays £85, otherwise expect to be summoned to magistrates court!!

 

he is a principled soul and does not see why he should pay £85 for 'intending to travel without paying' when he had already forked out £1,800.

 

should he be prepared to go to court and argue his case and see whether a magistrate will see sense or should he pay up and put this down to experience, especially as he could do without another distraction in his final year of university?

 

any advice would be gratefully received.

[honeybee13]

Hello and welcome to CAG. I'll move your thread to the transport forum and leave you a short term redirect from this one.

 

I hope the industry guys will be along later with advice for you. Not being an expert though but relying on what I've read here, I'm a bit surprised that there wasn't the possiblity to prove that your son had a season ticket that he'd forgotten and therefore avoid the problem that you now have.

 

Please bear with us though, until the experts are able to get here.

 

My best, HB

[Old-CodJA]

my son purchased an annual train ticket for the duration of his work placement for his 3rd year of his degree - at a cost of c.£1,800.

 

on one of the days covered by this annual ticket, whilst already travelling, he was asked to show his ticket - he had forgotten his wallet and therefore could not show the annual ticket.

 

he did not have any cash, so could not purchase a ticket for that day's travel.

 

 

Unfortunately a traveller who holds a season ticket, but doesn't have it with them does have a legal obligation to get a ticket before boarding a train and has no right to travel without doing so. Most TOCs will allow you to claim a refund on the days ticket that you have to buy on up to two occasions in any year.

 

 

the guard reported the incident and my son received a threat of summons - no mention of any other means of resolving the situation.

 

 

Perhaps you can scan and post the actual letter with all personal details and any reference codes removed in order that we can see exactly what has been threatened?

 

 

we wrote a letter, explaining that he had an annual ticket covering the day in question and apologised unreservedly for not being able to show his ticket on the day in question.

 

he received a further letter threatening summons, suggesting that he had travelled with the intention of not paying for the trip, despite the fact that he had explained that he had an annual (expensive) ticket, covering that day, therefore clearly paying upfront for the travel.

 

 

Again, a scan of the actual letter would be useful, it will be very interesting to see what specific charge has been alleged?

 

 

In the circumstances that you describe a breach of byelaw would usually be the charge. For example: Byelaw 18.2 Fail to hand over a ticket for verification of validity.

 

This is not the same as 'travelling with the intention of not paying'