Caught using brothers 11-15 oyster card on Bus - used a few times.

[Dikdjd]

 

I’m an 18 years old Sixth form student who did have a 16-18 card however I lost it in December so I put it as inactive and then I found it broken couple of weeks ago.

I started to use my brother's 11-15 card for about couple of days now to go to the library because I really needed to study for my alevel exams. I didn’t see a huge problem with this as they’re both free to use.

PS: I did not use the card from December to now and I did try to order a card couple of days ago but I used the wrong web address and now have reapplied for the Oyster card.

Today I was approached by a TFL officer and she took the oyster and my details and said there will be a letter coming.

I’ve heard that you can get a criminal offense etc and honestly, I’m just looking for any advice regarding this especially since my exam is in 2 days and I don’t want to be worrying about this.

 

[dx100uk]

keep reading threads here like you have.

 

await the letter to come if one does.

 

if there is no pattern for your 'few days use' and if thats true, then you should be lucky and just get a warning letter or an OOC settlement.

 

dx

 

[Dikdjd]

whats a OOC settlement?

[honeybee13]

Are you sure you've read threads here? OOC = out of court.

 

HB

[Dikdjd]

I've read some threads but I may have skimmed read so I must have missed out on details.

In the threads I read people were over 18 and didn't have a 16-18 oyster so I just wanted to know if having a 16-18 oyster could have made a difference or not. 

 

[dx100uk]

they are not 'free' , what you possess or not makes no odds. it's no mitigating excuse.

 

you used a card you were not entitled to use.

 

await the letter.

 

dx

 

 

 

 

[Dikdjd]

i received the letter, can anyone please help me understand it?

 

2023-05-17 TfL letter re pass use.pdf

[honeybee13]

They're asking for your version of events but telling you very little about what they know.

 

We can help you to refine your reply if you post up a draft here.

 

HB

[Dikdjd]

is denying the offence when you are unaware that what you did is an offence? 

[dx100uk]

nope.

 

there are 100's of begging letters here in this very same forum yours is in .

 

have a look at what others have posted.

 

dx

[Dikdjd]

Hello, can anyone please give me any feedback to improve this?

 

I have looked at other posts on a similar matter and this is going to be posted in another forum so I can get a very diverse opinion of this.

 

I am thinking of attaching the proof that I ordered the card and my exam timetable to show that I wasn't lying and that I am changing. Can anyone tell me if this is a good idea as I have seen others do it.

 

To whom it may concern,

 

I firstly would like to apologise for my actions on 17/05/2023 and the time I have wasted of who is reading this. While there is no excuse for my behaviour I would like to thank TFL for allowing me to explain it. 

I was very stressed out that day due to my A-Level exam that will happen on the 19th, I decided to leave the house to go to another place to cool down previously I had a 16-18 oyster however I found it broken a couple of days prior to the offence when I was cleaning up my room.

 

Without thinking and feeling the pressure of stress I took my brother's oyster under the impression I wasn’t committing such a serious offence since my card was also free however that does not excuse my behaviour and now have learnt to never ever attempt to use another oyster other than myself. The days after my offence I have spent ashamed and very upset since I never have had a conviction nor been in trouble like this ever. 

While this does not rectify my behaviour I applied for an Oyster card straight away after the offence took place and did have to call customer service prior to applying due to an issue with the account.

I know this does not begin to justify my behaviour and there is no excuse I should be punished but please do not give me a criminal conviction as this will affect my future in the pharaceutical/medical field I will pursue this year. I am happy to take a fine regarding my inexcusable behaviour and will make sure to spread my story to others so they do not make the same mistake. 

Please forgive my actions. 

 

Thank you

[honeybee13]

Your penultimate paragraph needs some work. TfL can't give you a conviction or a fine, only a court can do that. 

 

I personally wouldn't say that you're 'happy' to accept a fine as it's not your choice. I think it's better to ask if they will allow you to pay the outstanding fare and their costs.

 

HB

[Dikdjd]

oh okay thanks 

 

I also forgot to mention that I lost the oyster in December and I put it as inactive but then found it afterward.

 

do you think that is necessary to write because I think it would be in my records for tfl

 

I put your feedback in:

I know this does not begin to justify my behaviour and there is no excuse I should be punished but please do not give me a criminal conviction as this will affect my future in the pharmaceutical/medical field I will pursue this year. If it is possible to pay the outstanding fare and additional costs, please allow me to do this. As well as I will make sure to spread my story to others so they do not make the same mistake. 

Please forgive me

Thank you

 

[Dikdjd]

any feedback would be appreciated 

 

thanks 

[honeybee13]

What's the feedback from the other forum?

 

HB

[Dikdjd]

havent received anything yet. kinda worried it didn't go through so I made a additional account for it

[honeybee13]

Hi

How are things with you?

HB

[Dikdjd]

I sent the email, my brother received a letter asking of his perspective on the matter. 
it’s as well as it could be especially with my exams. 

thanks for asking 

 

[honeybee13]

Would you be able to post up the letter with name and address redacted please?

HB

[dx100uk]

just the bold bit the rest we know

its a std letter.

 

dx

[Dikdjd]

TfL letter to my parents regarding someone else using their 11-15yrs old's card

 

 

2023-05-19 TfL letter to parents of 11-15 card holder re recent use by another.pdf

[honeybee13]

Have your parents seen this letter that's addressed to them?

HB

[dx100uk]

Ok that letter is in regard to someone other than the named holder whom is under age using the card.

 

I would tell them to reply that it was known the card had been given to someone else, rather than you getting a possible additional charge of theft..if they move this fwd to court.

Just to confirm..how old are you?

 

Dx

[Dikdjd]

my parents know. 

im 18 

 

btw i was caught in the bus not railway.

 

[dx100uk]

same thing really still TfL.

your parents as the card holders legally responsible person.. should be able to understand what we are after here.

are they aware of this thread and its advice?

it might well be, well almost probable, that following this reply TfL are after, you will get a letter too.

it might also be time to indicate that the (owner) the minor of the card and yourself, were not aware of the serious consequence, but now are fully aware and are very upset etc and have been suitably advised by their parents.

 

you might get away with just a warning letter if they cant connect the dots on your travel pattern.

dx