Northern rail fare avoidance fine

[iainzipp]

A couple of weeks ago i was travelling from Crewe to Stockport and due to a change in my circumstances i hadn't bought a return ticket.

 

I had to rush home as a close family member had been taken to hospital and i wasn't thinking straight.

 

I ran for the train and just got on.

 

When i arrived at Stockport, my head wasn't in the right place and i had said i had traveled from Wilmslow instead of Crewe.

Eventually i told the truth when i had calmed down a bit.

I went to pay at the exit and my card wasn't accepted in the machine.

 

I also offered to go under supervision to the cash point to get the required money but this was rejected.

They took my details and said they would be in contact.

 

I received the letter last week and i sent it back explaining what had happened.

 

I was just wondering what i would be liable to pay and if i would need to go to court.

 

Also i am due to fly to America to do my second year of University study there in August and i would like this to be solved by then.

 

Does anyone have any idea how long these cases take to finish?

[dx100uk]

ok so you've sent a 'pleading/grovelling letter' ?

 

dx

[iainzipp]

Yeah i sent the letter back Tuesday to arrive today.

 

On the back, as requested i put that i was at full fault but explained about my family member

and that i would accept any fine they would give me.

 

I also put about the card and their member of staff but pointed out i wasn't trying to shift the blame to either of these things

[dx100uk]

ok see what they say.

 

dx

[Stigy]

Unfortunately, saying you travelled from another station hasn't helped matters (I'm assuming Wilmslow is closer to your destination?). Northern have been known to be quite lenient in such circumstances for a first offence before, and settled with their equivalent of a Penalty Fare (they don't operate a Penalty Fare scheme as such, but use an £80 Fixed Penalty Notice or similar).

 

As far as the length of time. If they choose to go to court, they have 6-months from the date of the offence to lay the matter before the courts (Ie; book it in). You could quite easily be looking at 8 or 9 months from start to finish. If they issue you with the FPN I mentioned earlier, it'll more than likely be a few weeks at most, as long as you pay it.