get caught in bus by no paying bus fare, will i be prosecuted?

Question

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.

Answer 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.

Answer 2

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?

Answer 3

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.

Answer 4

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.

Answer 5

I take it you jumpted on a London bendy bus and did not bother to smack your Oyster on the read plate? How very naughty. For this you must seve twenty minutes in a horrid jail, [time enough for a cuppa], or pay a fine of something or other. Fear ye not mate. Thankfully I am now the holder of ye olde London Freedom Pass, issued to all pensioners over the age of 99 but confiscated if used before 9.30am Monday to Friday. Damn! Edit: a high court judge just got off a flashing charge. You might bring that up at your trial claiming that you did not 'flash' your Oyster!

Answer 6

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,,,

Answer 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

Answer 8

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.

Answer 9

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.

Answer 10

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

Answer 11

You will be taken to court and have a fine plus court costs to pay.