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Get caught in bus by no paying bus fare, will i be prosecuted?
i was on a crowded 25 bus going to east london in the midnight, and got caught by the inspector for not paying bus fare. he took away my oyster and asked for my address.
what would normally the consequence be. he threatened me that it will be taken to court and the fine is up to 1000 pounds.
are people in the same situation eventually taken to court?
as far as i know they fined 20 pounds in the spot but then they refused to take cash from me.
i m worried and hate this fuss. please help.
4 weeks ago (Tiebreaker) - 18 answers - Report Abuse
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Answerer 1
If you knew you had no fair, then you stole a journey off them.
It's people that you keeps the cost high for others.
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Answerer 2
You deserve to get fined! Prices go up because of people like you...
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Answerer 3
Im in scotland and I know first bus give you a £25 fine
Why dont you phone up the bus company and query it and ask if you can settle it just now.
It costs money to take people to court
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by Answerer 3
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Answerer 4
when i got a fine, i kept sending the letters back saying not known at this address and nothing ever happened. they only prosecute repeat offenders.
don't worry about it, it scare tactics, don't let them intimidate you.
Prices don't go up because of non-payers, thats just a convenient excuse for them, prices go up because they want to milk us for all they can. The number of fare dodgers in relation to fare payers is tiny. 4-5 million people use london transport a day and only 10,000 or so fare dodgers were caught last year.
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by Answerer 4
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Answerer 5
Unfortunately it is a criminal offence to board a bus or train without having a valid ticket. You will probably be cautioned by the police and maybe given a fine.
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by Answerer 5
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Answerer 6
Are you sure he was an inspector? did he show you his ID. He should have charged you a on the spot fine. if you refuse to pay then they take you to court. If he was genuine and took your oyster card then it's off to court you go unless you contact the bus company pronto and explain that tried to pay but he refused.
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by Answerer 6
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Answerer 7
Phone up the bus company mate and ask to speak with a senior customor service manager.
Explain this was an oversighjt on your part and offer to come to some sort of agreement with them.
best of luck and try not to worry it will sort its self out and in a few weeks or months hopefully youll be laughing about this incident mate
All the best
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by Answerer 7
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Answerer 8
Just say that you were drunk and must have missed the oyster card thing.
you Will get £25 - as long as you say you forgot!
anyways, the fare has gone up so all the under 16's can travel for free.
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by Answerer 8
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Answerer 9
tough
if you cant do the time.. dont do the crime
effectively you have committed fraud, it may be minor but its fraud none the less. I suppose its upto whoever caught you.. thye may decide to prosecuate, they may not, they may send a fixed fine. they may deciode to make an example
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by Answerer 9
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Answerer 10
Yes you will be prosecuted and fined. They do take it very seriously now as people like you make it more expensive for the rest of us Londoners.
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Answerer 11
Stealing is stealing and that is what you did. You probably wouldn't like it if someone took one of your belongings just because they happened to like it or felt that they needed it. If I were you, I'd call up the bus company and tell them it was a mistake, that you realize you were in the wrong and could you make arrangements to pay the fine. It will cost them more money to go to court, so they will probably just fine you a smaller amount.
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by Answerer 11
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Answerer 12
what is the difference between you being on a bus at midnight or any other time of the day and not paying?yes you are guilty.
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Answerer 13
I am amazed that your oyster was taken away, as in my experience the only time a season ticket is confiscated in these circumstances is where it is a forgery. A number of people think they can get away with changing the date, etc. I don't think you'd be asking this question if you were one of those people. You must just wait until you hear from the authorities as to whether they are indeed going to prosecute you. I think that you may be given a chance to plead guilty by post, unless this is a matter of forgery. If you do appear in court, just explain what happened and be apologetic. You will not be fined anything like 1,000 pounds, but after paying the fine, cost and compensation (fare avoided) you may not have all that much change out of 200 pounds.
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by Answerer 13
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Answerer 14
You will be taken to court and have a fine plus court costs to pay.
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by Answerer 14
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Answerer 15
You have committed an offence, but I thought the normal procedure was to make you pay a penalty fare. Did anything else happen in the incident that would make them want to prosecute you?
If they treat you differently from other people for no reason you can object on the grounds that they are being malicious, but you would want legal advice for this.
The real problem if they take you to court is not the higher fine, but that you will acquire a criminal record that will have major implications for your job prospects.
I would be careful about approaching the bus company for an explanation direct as it will draw attention to your case. Your local Citizens Advice Bureau - get the address from your local library - should advise you for free what you should do. They probably have a better idea of what happens locally than many people responding on the internet.
Until you hear further it is possible that they will do nothing further, and you have simply lost your Oyster card. They are swamped by people who don't pay on bendy buses like the 25, although as one who religiously swipes my card I don't approve.
I can understand that an inspector does not want to be in East London in the small hours carrying a large number of £20s.
P.S. It concerns me greatly as a conscientious Oyster user that, except by the driver, Oyster points have no display to show that, and how much, you have paid. This also applies at Underground gates. What defence have I if I genuinely believe that I have paid, but have not touched my card properly?
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by Answerer 15
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Answerer 16
You now have 21 days to pay the standard conditions of carriage fare. This is usually between £25 and £35.
Should you fail to do this then, yes, you can be taken to court where the fine will be up to £1000, plus costs.
Go to the bus depot and offer to pay the above, it will be cheaper in the long run. Take your fine notification with you and get a detailed written receipt.
Best of luck and pay in future, it is less hassle.
3 weeks ago - Report Abuse
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by Answerer 16
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Answerer 17
Yeh mate u will be fined at least £1000. I know everything about law enforcement.
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by Answerer 17
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Answerer 18
Lol,, i have been caught the same last 4 months on the same bus, n few days ago i got a court order to apear in court, i dont know what will happen, the reader was not working but no one wanted to know that, so now i have to apear in court and more likely will end up with a criminal record(for a ticket), well the best for you m8, u will hear from them somehow after a few months,, they have to make money to pay for the olimpics of 5bilion pounds somehow. Good Luck coz it was not luck for me,,,
3 weeks ago - Report Abuse
i was on a crowded 25 bus going to east london in the midnight, and got caught by the inspector for not paying bus fare. he took away my oyster and asked for my address.
what would normally the consequence be. he threatened me that it will be taken to court and the fine is up to 1000 pounds.
are people in the same situation eventually taken to court?
as far as i know they fined 20 pounds in the spot but then they refused to take cash from me.
i m worried and hate this fuss. please help.
4 weeks ago (Tiebreaker) - 18 answers - Report Abuse
This question is no longer open for answering. Here's your chance to cast a vote if you haven't already. The voting period was extended because it ended in a tie.
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Show: All answersOldest to newestNewest to oldestRated highest to lowestTotal rating 0 or higherTotal rating higher than -2Total rating higher than -5
Answer hidden due to its low rating Hide
Answerer 1
If you knew you had no fair, then you stole a journey off them.
It's people that you keeps the cost high for others.
4 weeks ago - Report Abuse
Sign in to vote!
3 1
by Answerer 1
4 weeks ago Answer hidden due to its low rating Show Total rating: 2 3 1
Answer hidden due to its low rating Hide
Answerer 2
You deserve to get fined! Prices go up because of people like you...
4 weeks ago - Report Abuse
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3 0
by Answerer 2
4 weeks ago Answer hidden due to its low rating Show Total rating: 3 3 0
Answer hidden due to its low rating Hide
Answerer 3
Im in scotland and I know first bus give you a £25 fine
Why dont you phone up the bus company and query it and ask if you can settle it just now.
It costs money to take people to court
4 weeks ago - Report Abuse
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1 0
by Answerer 3
4 weeks ago Answer hidden due to its low rating Show Total rating: 1 1 0
Answer hidden due to its low rating Hide
Answerer 4
when i got a fine, i kept sending the letters back saying not known at this address and nothing ever happened. they only prosecute repeat offenders.
don't worry about it, it scare tactics, don't let them intimidate you.
Prices don't go up because of non-payers, thats just a convenient excuse for them, prices go up because they want to milk us for all they can. The number of fare dodgers in relation to fare payers is tiny. 4-5 million people use london transport a day and only 10,000 or so fare dodgers were caught last year.
4 weeks ago - Report Abuse
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0 2
by Answerer 4
4 weeks ago Answer hidden due to its low rating Show Total rating: -2 0 2
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Answerer 5
Unfortunately it is a criminal offence to board a bus or train without having a valid ticket. You will probably be cautioned by the police and maybe given a fine.
4 weeks ago - Report Abuse
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2 3
by Answerer 5
4 weeks ago Answer hidden due to its low rating Show Total rating: -1 2 3
Answer hidden due to its low rating Hide
Answerer 6
Are you sure he was an inspector? did he show you his ID. He should have charged you a on the spot fine. if you refuse to pay then they take you to court. If he was genuine and took your oyster card then it's off to court you go unless you contact the bus company pronto and explain that tried to pay but he refused.
4 weeks ago - Report Abuse
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2 1
by Answerer 6
4 weeks ago Answer hidden due to its low rating Show Total rating: 1 2 1
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Answerer 7
Phone up the bus company mate and ask to speak with a senior customor service manager.
Explain this was an oversighjt on your part and offer to come to some sort of agreement with them.
best of luck and try not to worry it will sort its self out and in a few weeks or months hopefully youll be laughing about this incident mate
All the best
4 weeks ago - Report Abuse
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0 0
by Answerer 7
4 weeks ago Answer hidden due to its low rating Show Total rating: 0 0 0
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Answerer 8
Just say that you were drunk and must have missed the oyster card thing.
you Will get £25 - as long as you say you forgot!
anyways, the fare has gone up so all the under 16's can travel for free.
4 weeks ago - Report Abuse
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1 3
by Answerer 8
4 weeks ago Answer hidden due to its low rating Show Total rating: -2 1 3
Answer hidden due to its low rating Hide
Answerer 9
tough
if you cant do the time.. dont do the crime
effectively you have committed fraud, it may be minor but its fraud none the less. I suppose its upto whoever caught you.. thye may decide to prosecuate, they may not, they may send a fixed fine. they may deciode to make an example
4 weeks ago - Report Abuse
Sign in to vote!
2 1
by Answerer 9
4 weeks ago Answer hidden due to its low rating Show Total rating: 1 2 1
Answer hidden due to its low rating Hide
Answerer 10
Yes you will be prosecuted and fined. They do take it very seriously now as people like you make it more expensive for the rest of us Londoners.
4 weeks ago - Report Abuse
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3 0
by Answerer 10
4 weeks ago Answer hidden due to its low rating Show Total rating: 3 3 0
Answer hidden due to its low rating Hide
Answerer 11
Stealing is stealing and that is what you did. You probably wouldn't like it if someone took one of your belongings just because they happened to like it or felt that they needed it. If I were you, I'd call up the bus company and tell them it was a mistake, that you realize you were in the wrong and could you make arrangements to pay the fine. It will cost them more money to go to court, so they will probably just fine you a smaller amount.
4 weeks ago - Report Abuse
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1 0
by Answerer 11
4 weeks ago Answer hidden due to its low rating Show Total rating: 1 1 0
Answer hidden due to its low rating Hide
Answerer 12
what is the difference between you being on a bus at midnight or any other time of the day and not paying?yes you are guilty.
4 weeks ago - Report Abuse
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4 0
by Answerer 12
4 weeks ago Answer hidden due to its low rating Show Total rating: 4 4 0
Answer hidden due to its low rating Hide
Answerer 13
I am amazed that your oyster was taken away, as in my experience the only time a season ticket is confiscated in these circumstances is where it is a forgery. A number of people think they can get away with changing the date, etc. I don't think you'd be asking this question if you were one of those people. You must just wait until you hear from the authorities as to whether they are indeed going to prosecute you. I think that you may be given a chance to plead guilty by post, unless this is a matter of forgery. If you do appear in court, just explain what happened and be apologetic. You will not be fined anything like 1,000 pounds, but after paying the fine, cost and compensation (fare avoided) you may not have all that much change out of 200 pounds.
4 weeks ago - Report Abuse
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2 0
by Answerer 13
4 weeks ago Answer hidden due to its low rating Show Total rating: 2 2 0
Answer hidden due to its low rating Hide
Answerer 14
You will be taken to court and have a fine plus court costs to pay.
4 weeks ago - Report Abuse
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1 0
by Answerer 14
4 weeks ago Answer hidden due to its low rating Show Total rating: 1 1 0
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Answerer 15
You have committed an offence, but I thought the normal procedure was to make you pay a penalty fare. Did anything else happen in the incident that would make them want to prosecute you?
If they treat you differently from other people for no reason you can object on the grounds that they are being malicious, but you would want legal advice for this.
The real problem if they take you to court is not the higher fine, but that you will acquire a criminal record that will have major implications for your job prospects.
I would be careful about approaching the bus company for an explanation direct as it will draw attention to your case. Your local Citizens Advice Bureau - get the address from your local library - should advise you for free what you should do. They probably have a better idea of what happens locally than many people responding on the internet.
Until you hear further it is possible that they will do nothing further, and you have simply lost your Oyster card. They are swamped by people who don't pay on bendy buses like the 25, although as one who religiously swipes my card I don't approve.
I can understand that an inspector does not want to be in East London in the small hours carrying a large number of £20s.
P.S. It concerns me greatly as a conscientious Oyster user that, except by the driver, Oyster points have no display to show that, and how much, you have paid. This also applies at Underground gates. What defence have I if I genuinely believe that I have paid, but have not touched my card properly?
4 weeks ago - Report Abuse
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by Answerer 15
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Answerer 16
You now have 21 days to pay the standard conditions of carriage fare. This is usually between £25 and £35.
Should you fail to do this then, yes, you can be taken to court where the fine will be up to £1000, plus costs.
Go to the bus depot and offer to pay the above, it will be cheaper in the long run. Take your fine notification with you and get a detailed written receipt.
Best of luck and pay in future, it is less hassle.
3 weeks ago - Report Abuse
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1 0
by Answerer 16
3 weeks ago Answer hidden due to its low rating Show Total rating: 1 1 0
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Answerer 17
Yeh mate u will be fined at least £1000. I know everything about law enforcement.
3 weeks ago - Report Abuse
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by Answerer 17
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Answerer 18
Lol,, i have been caught the same last 4 months on the same bus, n few days ago i got a court order to apear in court, i dont know what will happen, the reader was not working but no one wanted to know that, so now i have to apear in court and more likely will end up with a criminal record(for a ticket), well the best for you m8, u will hear from them somehow after a few months,, they have to make money to pay for the olimpics of 5bilion pounds somehow. Good Luck coz it was not luck for me,,,
3 weeks ago - Report Abuse
Soldato
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cant argue with sleeping when you're sick though, it's a good plan
The following message could not be delivered to all recipients:
hopefully you will be better soon
cant argue with sleeping when you're sick though, it's a good plan
The following message could not be delivered to all recipients:
hopefully you will be better soon
Soldato
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