Hi I recently received a letter from London south east, south and central courts informing me that I owed £312 and had 10 days to pay in full to avoid various punishments. The letter mainly consisted of ways to make the payment with no information on the charge, so, I phoned the information line and found out that the fine stemmed from a bus fare in Camberwell on 20.8.2010 and I had to go though my local statutory court in order to progress, I was told the fine would be frozen for 28 days to allow me to appeal. So.. as far as I can remember this is what happened in 2010. For some reason I did not use/have my oyster card and paid the bus driver in cash and walked to my seat without taking the paper ticket. 5-10 minutes later 2 inspectors came onto the bus and wanted to see my ticket. I wasn't too concerned as I knew my ticket would be somewhere and the bus driver could verify that I had handed over the money. Unfortunately the paper ticket didn't turn up and the inspectors told me the drivers word was not enough (I witnessed the driver telling them I had paid and unsuccessfully looking for the ticket), they took my current address, we all got off the bus at my stop and it felt like we had come to an impasse. Eventually they said they would have to take my word for it and I left feeling the incident was resolved (which lasted until very recently). I believe what has happened is the TFL chose to fine me after all but I had moved house on 22.10.2010 and received no correspondence until now. What I would like to know is: 1. Do I have a chance to appeal the full payment? as a student I cant afford the £312. 2. What have I missed? what is TFLs procedure, if there was an original fine that was a reasonable amount could I pay that instead? (although even that feels a little unreasonable) 3. How do I even go about approaching my local court about this, the person on the information line was not very helpful I don't know if its relevant but I have had an oyster card with no penalties which I think dates back to roughly 2010 if that would help at all. Also I can prove the date I moved into a new address on 22.10.2010. Thanks for any help and I hope I'm posting in the right place and so on.

Hello Gang I received a PCN notice for what looks like ended up to be an expensive trip to London. It seems like its a fair cop - they have a picture and silly me - i did stop in a bus lane!! However, the date of contravention was 02/02/13 and the date of notice is 21/02/13 - almost 3 weeks ago - is it still enforceable?? Its my only hope.. Thanks guys.. Regards, Jameson

Hi! I was made redundant from my previous employer's lousy fleapit on the 29th November last year, and a couple of weeks ago the large Bus Operator was advertising Driver Vacancies again, so I applied for one! I was invited to a Presentation and Written Assessment Test at my local JCP Office, which I scored a very high mark on, so I have now been invited to attend a Practical Driving Test conducted on a D1-type vehicle at their local Operations Garage on 7th February. A couple of questions:- 1) I have been unable to locate the exact Paper Counterpart to my Photocard Driving Licence - I came across one for the previous issue which has an expired endorsement (TS10 fixed penalty) written by hand in ballpoint-pen by the court that imposed it nearly 5 years ago. However I had to renew the Photocard as the Photo was out of date during last year, so I sent the old Photocard to Swansea with the fee and a note explaining I'd mislaid the Counterpart! I got my renewed Photocard with a new Counterpart, with the endorsement in machine-printed characters, which unfortunately has now got buried at home somewhere and I can't find it!!! Anway the old Counterpart has now turned up again - could I present this to the staff at the Operating Centre when I attend for my Assessment, or will I risk losing my chance to take the Assessment? If I do so - can the Staff match up the Counterpart to a Photocard? I doubt very much Swansea would be able to replace the licence in time by post! Obviously if I do sit and pass the Driving Assessment, the Medical & Interview Stages will follow and if I pass these the Bus Operator will make all the arrangements with Swansea for a new Licence to be issued to me with Cat D Provisional on it! I DID try the online DVLA's Change Of Address Service to get round the snag but this gets stuck because I don't know the Reference Number on my most Recent Counterpart and the application won't complete!!!! HELP!!!! 2) I had eye-surgery for Cataract last year and the results are so much better - is there still a bar on Cataract Surgery patients holding Vocational Licences? I have read the requirements, basically 6/12 in the better eye (mine is 6/7.5 in the better eye) with Glasses/Contact Lenses, and 3/60 in the worse eye without Glasses/Contact Lenses - nothing whatsoever is stated about Cataracts, and otherwise I'm fairly confident my eyes meet this, regarding the rest of my health, I've no issues whatsover except a Stoma Bag - I'm sure a bag isn't a valid medical disqualification for vocational driving, surely! Can any experts in the field advise me please?

Hi,im after a bit of help re:mobility bus pass, i got a 1 yr mobility pass which expires in a few weeks, ive re:applied for it again and was basically asked me the same questions over the phone but got a letter saying they had turned me down,so i am appealing the decission,and have to go to see a physio and been told they will examine my breathing, and walking (distance) and my medical history, im in receipt of dla care low rate, and not entitled to mobility high rate,which would mean i would automatically get a bus pass, basically id like some advice if anyone has actually been to one of these medicals,and what information do i need to take with me etc. thanks

Hi... Some info would be appreciated if you guys can help? I have had a fine for driving in Vicar Lane, Leeds bus lane..........which I probably did as I dont know the city and I was driving up to see my Mum in hospital who had just broken her hip, and was lost whilst trying to find my way. There is grounds to appeal on the rear of the form if the fine is excessive............. As I was in the bus lane at 9.21 pm 2/1/13 and no other traffic is visible in the photo, can I claim that this is excessive as I did not use it to gain an advantage. Worth a try? Regards.

This happened today morning. I have a nationalrail season ticket and My train from my regular station got cancelled and in order to avoid delay to my work, I decided to take a bus and travel to a different train station(2 stops away) from which the trains are more frequent. I got on to a bus and showed my season ticket and the bus driver let me in to travel in the bus. as soon as I entered in to the bus, a person who claims that he is a ticket inspector asked me to show the ticket and by seeing that ticket he said that its not a valid ticket to travel in the bus and he wrote my name, date of birth and address(wrong house number but the post code is correct) on a normal blank paper. I recently moved to a new place, so I wasn't aware that this kind of season tickets are not valid on buses, in my previous place I used to take a weekly season ticket on my oyster card and they work pretty much fine when I tap my oyster card in every bus. I dont know what should I do, I am ready to pay the penality fare but I had given a wrong door number unknowingly. May I kindly request people here to suggest some suitable actions that I should take before any serious things happen to me. Any assistance would be helpful.

Hello all! I recently received a Bus Lane PCN for Kilburn High Road, London (Northbound). There is CCTV footage of me driving along the lane. It was at 11:41 on a Saturday. My understanding was that the lane was not 'active' except on Mon-Fri. I have since checked and in fact the lane is active 10am-7pm on Sat. I am considering my options for appeal. My main consideration is that the Bus Lane is not enforceable as it is not correctly signposted/marked. I would be very grateful to any thoughts. I will attempt to describe my thoughts. The section I was caught in is a 'continuation' of an earlier bus lane, after a junction with traffic lights. Immediately after the junction is a diagram 959 sign (correctly stating the hours). approximately 7m after that starts a 'lead in taper' which finishes after about 6m, exceeding 1:10. There is no 'bear right' arrow by the taper. The solid white line defining the bus lane then begins about 14m after diagram 959. The 'BUS LANE' diagram 1048 is approximately 5m after the start of the solid white line. There are no other diagram 959 signs. Thoughts on this section of bus lane alone: Should diagram 1048 AND diagram 959 be used in parallel with the start of the bus lane's thick white line. They are approximately 20m apart? The diagram 1048 is fairly worn; the 'L' of LANE is almost gone completely. The 'B' is 2/3 missing. The road surface is deformed as a result of the bus' weight. Is this an argument? As far as that section is in context, it seems to me that the whole of that bus lane is not 'started' correctly as there is no diagram 958 with the hours on, ONLY diagrams 959. There are a lot of 'sections' of bus lane on this road. Section 1 (Mon-Fri, 7am-10am, 4pm-6pm) - Correctly signed and marked. No issues that I can tell. No 'End of Bus Lane' Sign. Left turn off road. Section 2 (No hours therefore 'At ant time' though does not have 'at any time' sign) - It just starts. No 'lead in' broken lines. Then there is an 'End of Bus Lane' sign. Set of traffic lights. [This is the start of the bus lane that I was in] After a set of traffic lights: No diagram 958 (bus lane ahead) sign. Very short (about 6m, exceeds 1:10) lead-in taper, with bear-right arrow. Diagram 959 and 1048 in correct position. Diagram 959 shows the hours as now including 'Sat 10am-7pm'. Break in bus lane. Left turn junction. Diagram 959. Zig-zags of pedestrian crossing. After crossing only 3m of zig-zags then replaced by thick straight bus lane line. Traffic lights. After the traffic lights is the section I was seen in. Me question here is: If the start of the bus lane that shows the restriction of including Sat 10am-7pm is missing diagram 958 and the lead-in exceeds 1:10, are the following 'sections' enforceable even if they each have a diagram 959? Can I argue that the whole section of road leading up to where I was seen has differing restrictions and is not correctly signed causing confusion? Sorry to go on and on but (if you can make sense of this) I'd be very grateful for any thoughts, experiences and advice. Thank you very much! CF

I was travelling along the Headrow in Leeds in December, when I turned left into Park Row (I think) half my vehicle crossed the thick white bus lane line, I have now recieved a PCN for this. Am I justified in contesting this as I was making an attempt to turn left[ATTACH=CONFIG]40450[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]40451[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]40452[/ATTACH] and the bus lane goes to the very end of the junction. I was only in the bus lane for mere seconds and there was no traffic around. I have attached the PCN paperwork.

recieved a bus lane penalty charge notice. stating i recieved a letter last month but i did not recieve one. do i have any chance of appealling and winning. the fine was origionally £60 now it says because i did not pay within 14 days i need to pay £90 i did not recieve origional first charge notice. what should i do ? pay or fight for my rights.? advice please . i have uploaded the letter recieved.. http://postimage.org/image/51deut0bd/

Hi guys I strayed into a bus lane as I was lost as soon as I noticed I was in the lane i pulled straight back out. I have appealed hoping that they will let me off on compassionate grounds you never know. I've attached the images and paperwork in case they've made any mistakes and I can escape paying the fine any advice would be grateful. Thanks Lee

Hello, just wondering if any one could help. I was fined £80 for a using a transferred pass on a bus monday because I didn't have my photocard. The pass was mine and I presented the inspector with ther forms of photo I.D and gave the inspector all my details to prove it was mine. I can assume my son had removed my photocard from my purse with out me realising as it wasn't in my purse when the inspector got on and I found it at home. I even got on the bus at the same stop as the inspector! Something I certainly wouldn't do if I had a stolen pass or knew I didn't have mine in me. You would think it would be obvious that it was an honest mistake and that it was my oyster card but despite everything he fined me but he told me I could send a copy of my photocard and the fine would be removed! I appealed with a copy of my discount photocard to IRCA and they rejected my appeal saying it was my responsibility to carry my photocard. I agree, but surely the fact the fine was issued for a transferred pass and I proved I was the rightful owner they should remove the fine? The fine was incorrectly issued, if it wasn't I would pay the very high price for an honest mistake and the tiny 65p discount but if anyone thinks I may have a chance at a second appeal please let me know how! Thank you, Kaylie

Hi there, I'm hoping someone can help me. Last month I was caught on a London Bus with my mother's discounted job seekers Bus pass. Genuine mistake, but then everyone says that and quite frankly it isn't really the point. What is however is that I am being taken to a Magistrates court by TFL on the offence. With it being a first time offense on I think this seems incredibly harsh, but I was willing to go along with pleading guilty and paying the fine... Until I noticed on one of the 'FAQ' attached forms that I'm going receive a Criminal record for it!? I was told numerous times by the inspector that I simply would have to pay a fine and be done it. Even in the attached statement of the inspector he quotes me as worrying about receiving a criminal record on the day (I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing?). Things to perhaps note: 1) I at the time had a claim for job seekers pending at the which was eventually accepted, so I could/would have been entitled to the same discount. 2) The DOB on the court papers is wrong 3) One check of the oyster card's history would show that it was only used almost entirely for the same journey y, i.e my mother picking my brother up from school. I'm not a serial fare dodger, in fact one look at my own oyster I'm "happy" to do that, but getting a criminal record actually seems like the end of the world to me and I want to do everything possible to avoid it. Any advice? Could anybody give me a minor run down on how much of an impact this is likely to have on my life? I take it I can kiss goodbye to becoming a Police officer or a teacher? Thanks

Hi everybody. To start with, I know, 100% that I am in the wrong here and do not expect any sympathy for the situation at all, I'm just wondering as to what, if anything may happen next. Basically, this evening, having just missed my train I decided to get the bus for the 4 mile journey to a friends house. I realised that because I'd only taken enough money to cover the train fare I didn't have enough money on me (£4.90) to cover the cost of a First day ticket (allows you to make unlimited journeys in the area as I needed to get two buses), and foolishly thought I may be able to get a student first day ticket which costs £4 if i used my now expired Student card to purchase a ticket. I know, totally wrong and regretted it immediately. The card expired in September (says 2011-2012 on the card) and I'm no longer at the University. To cut a long story short, the driver asked to see the card, I handed it to him, he said that the card had expired so wouldn't be able to use it and then said he would have to keep the card, I said ok and he asked where I wanted to go - bought a single fare and nothing else was said. Since then i've been thinking over and over about what could happen now. My card just had my picture and my name on it, no other personal information such as an address etc. So, fair enough, I know I was in the wrong, stupid thing to do in the first place and something I've honestly never done before. Whilst I know it's probably impossible to say but is this likely to result in further action? As I say, he took no details from me at all and just treated me as any other customer thereafter. The card is/was property of the university - nothing to do with the bus company. It was on the First bus service in Stoke-on-trent. Many thanks

So I drove through a bus gate in Southwark. But in my defence, I did not see the markings nor did I really have a chance because of a really poor layout and badly maintained signage: - One sign and the street marking was obscured by the bus at a red light, and I was behind the bus. - Another sign suffered a hit and was pointing towards the shops, so not fully visible from the street. - The third sign was mounted too high up on the lamp post, actually separated from the rest of the signage. - The road markings are a bit confusing, the direction of travel which should be followed by all non-bus traffic seems like a side road. This is not all, actually no signage is in any way fit for purpose due to lack of maintenance. Broken, wonky, even so far as not being properly illuminated (all lamps broken/ripped off). Went through the appeal process, presented all of the above... council rejected it (but then fixed one of the signs a few days later!), PATAS rejected it saying: - On balance I should have seen it. - The adjudicator did not want to refer to the traffic signage regulation on the basis that "there's a lot there" (her words), and recent cases have set the standard that "on balance" the driver should have been aware even if the signage is poor. So, I'm annoyed that what should be a process to hold the councils to a certain standard of signage is blatantly failing in this case. I can pay the £130 fine now, but I'd rather it cost me x10 that and the serious failings are fixed and someone is held to a standard for all motorists. Or am I barking up the wrong tree? Thoughts? (or suggestions for a good solicitor who would be willing to take on this fight?)

Hello ! I`m a 23 years old full-time student in London. I own a motorbike for nearly a year now. Had no problems, but recently my previous landlord contacted that I have still incoming mail. That was two statutory declarations (issued on 9th of October) from Islington council for driving on a bus lanes. Penalties were issued on 04/23 and 04/26 in exact same spot on my daily run to my work. They require me to pay in total £404. Even if I had a money to pay I am too late, because I had 21 days to do that. They are threatening me in a letter that i might be fined or jailed up to 2 years, or both... I know that I made mistake by not updating my address in DVLA, but I have changed my location four times this year . Help ! I feel desperate now, if i knew about it straight away I would've paid £65 each or tried to appeal. Thank you ! Ernie

Apologies if this post comes off blunt, I just want to lay out the main elements. I've been caused a lot of stress by this, I'm very worried that this'll damage my job prospects, and I was stupid not to have paid that bus fare. I'm a student on my gap year, and will be going to uni next year. I'm direly low on money, and that's part of the reason I evaded the fare. Sorry to all the hard working paying customers of TfL for that First off, about me, 18yo, just left school (ie had free bus travel up until two weeks ago), no criminal convictions, never in trouble with the police, etc. Also I know what I did was wrong, and I really really won't be doing that again ever. Recently I evaded a fare (purposefully). I'd used my partner's Oyster Card, with student rate (ie free bus travel), and this was the first time I'd borrowed somebody's Oyster Card in my life, I'd done it so I could go home to get my work uniform and then return to hers. I took two buses home, couldn't find any money at all and my mum wasn't in, and so I took two buses back, and of course as always in life on the last bus I got caught, so I'm guessing that 4 journeys in total exacerbates things. I originally lied about my address, but quickly admitted to a ticket inspector I'd done this, he changed it, offered me a £40 fine (which I couldn't pay, cause I had no money, hence using my girlfriend's Oyster) and sent me on my way after confiscating my girlfriend's Oyster card. I received a letter from TfL today saying that they would like to accept my comments within 10 days, and then the line that worried me the most - "You do not have to say anything, but etc etc". I've only not had free travel for 2 weeks, so I couldn't have abused the system repeatedly, no past convictions, nothing apart from this one mishap. Does that mean they're going to take me to court? If so, what are they likely to charge me with, and will it be a permanent criminal record? What are my options, and how likely is it they'll have me up? I haven't stolen the card, so I know that works for me and against my girlfriend, who admitted that it was hers when the police found it. Thanks for all advice, and again I know it was wrong, and I won't be doing that again, so moral advice isn't needed! Also, 23 people viewing and no replies? Please help, need this advice as soon as I can!

Hi All, This is going to sound like a very silly post and I have been an absolute idiot in my actions and completely regret this now. Basically I have a monthly travel rail travel card and I thought this allowed me onto the busses too, as I pay so much for it a month. I know I have to use my Oyster on the underground though, but don't often travel on the underground. I was travelling on the bus one morning to work, when a ticket inspector asked for my ticket, I showed my monthly pass and ID card. Apparently this is not valid on the busses, we came to my stop and both got off. I was completely flustered and panicking, not ever being in this situation before. I very stupidly gave my correct name, but a pervious address (not sure I got the postcode right though) and for some stupid reason I also gave the wrong DOB. They then wanted to verify it by calling a friend or family member and I said there was no one to call, again I was just not thinking straight and panicked, I then just walked away, no idea why I did this and really regret it. The ticket inspector still had hold of my new monthly ticket with my name on and ID number, which I just completely forgot that they had hold of. I am now so worried about what will happen, will they write to me at the address I gave or will they look up my new address on the system that my monthly card is allocated to? I completely understand that I have acted in a very stupid way and I want to make it right or at least have the opportunity to apologise and pay a fine or admin costs? But I have no idea if I wil be contacted and if so at which address, I am worried they will write to the wrong address and I may nerve know about it. I know I have got myself into a complete mess, but what do I do now? Should I call the transport inspectors and talk to them about what happened? Any advice is welcome, I know I am in the wrong, just one silly decision lead to another and I just panicked, as I had just started a new job and was so worried about being late. Thanks for reading.

Hello all Just looking into purchasing a student concession season ticket for my daughter, who is about to start 6th form college. Went on to the Arriva bus site and followed the links to buy the tickets on line. As my OH uses the bus a lot, she felt that the annual price of £590 was wrong. After double checking the links and clicking on 'Buy Student Saver Tickets Online' it again took us to the page where you select Adult or Child tickets only and the price was £590 for the year for Shrewsbury Out of curiosity selected a none Shrewsbury area and there was a tab for 'Student' tickets at £340 for the year. Have fired off a question to them via there Q&A page but am a little annoyed that I had searched 'Student concessions' got directed to an FAQ about student concessions and clicked a link that says 'Buy Student Saver Tickets Online', then find that the offering was for a standard adult / child tickets only. If it had said "Sorry no concession tickets in this are" I wouldn't have minded. but in my view Arriva is mis-representing their tickets. Would be grateful for your thoughts The link is: www-dot-arrivabus-dot-co-dot-uk/student-saver-tickets/

Hi there, I have recieved a pcn for being in a bus lane whilst turning left into a car park. I definitely want to appeal this as the picture shows my car in the bus lane for only a few metres before turning left into the car park. What are the rules on this? I have tried to look up the Traffic Management Order for this bus lane but Mcr council don't have any on their website. I have read somewhere else online that the bus lane is supposed to have a break in the solid white line where the junction is?Is that correct? This specific bus lane has no break in the solid white line. Hope someone can help!

Hi there, I have recieved a PCN for being in a bus lane whilst turning left into a car park. I definitely want to appeal this as the picture shows my car in the bus lane for only a few metres before turning left into the car park. What are the rules on this? I have tried to look up the Traffic Management Order for this bus lane but Mcr council don't have any on their website. I have read somewhere else online that the bus lane is supposed to have a break in the solid white line where the junction is?Is that correct? This specific bus lane has no break in the solid white line. Hope someone can help!

hi, there I'm a 21 year old uni student home for the holidays, And i attempted to use my Children's Bus pass to get a discounted fare on the bus. The bus driver took my card and told me that it had expired and i was too old to use it. since i was going to work, I paid the cost for an adult ticket and said that I didn't know that i couldn't use it as a bus driver had let me use it yday. I am really worried that i will get a court hearing. I don't want any legal trouble as it might affect my course of study at uni. how likely is it that i will receive a letter from them? The card itself does not have my address or phone but i had to fill these details in to get it in the first place so they might have them in their computer systems. thanks for your help!

This is a clever idea, but no doubt some people will find the downfalls.

Hi Guys, Hope you can offer some advise. I received a PCN, dated 16 July 2011, for driving through Bus only lane on Eden Street Kingston. Due to my inexperience & fear of the double penalty I paid it. I later noticed and photographed the Bus sign in the closed position. It was closed for many days for sure, and possibly weeks. The sign is hinged and can be flipped open or shut. I challenged them on this. Please see attached pics. After several telephone calls and several letters they finally (11 months) sent me two separate photos, one showing the bus sign open (in force) at 10:47 and another showing my car on the other side of Eden Street at 16:01 on the same day, a time stamp difference of 5 hours 11 mins. between the two photographs. I challenged them again. They did not have any further evidence and they now consider the case closed (of course they would) Question 1. Is a refund discretionary & can I challenge them further? Question 2: Can I represent myself and challenge them in court on this time difference? I am also betting that they do not have "bus in force" photographic evidence for the day after or for many days after. How many other motorists have been caught out? By the way it took them 11 months to send me this flawed evidence, now I know why. Thank you

Hi everyone I know that has come up in the past before, but for different reasons. I received a PCN for driving in the bus lane. In the photo that I've attached, you can see how the solid lane of the bus lane ends with a broken line. This is followed by a bus stop and immediately followed by a left turn. This was the first time I had ever use this road. I realized I was turning left, checked the lane next to me and what I saw was a staggered line followed by the bus stop, so I turned into the lane. In this case, I should have realized that the bus stop had a solid white lane, indicating a bus lane, but surely a case can be made that the road markings are ambiguous? The fact that this is the 3rd highest fine generator in the Merton borough suggests that I'm not the only one who thinks so. Here is the google map link.

Please help, as you don't have much time: My court date is scheduled for 31/5/12 This incident happened in March 2012, I received a letter a few weeks ago go for TFL, telling they are going proceed with the case and prosecute. I never expected it to get this far, and i've now in a state of panic, and concerned about having a criminal record. The charge is, 72B1 Failing to Pay Fare. • I boarded a bus no 390, on Oxford Street(Nr Tottenham Court Road) in the evening. • I showed the driver my ticket with Photo ID, he acknowledged and allowed me to board the bus. • 3 Inspectors boarded the bus, just before Euston Station, and checked tickets of passengers. •My ticket was checked by one of the three inspectors, and at first he approved the ticket as being valid, but then conferred with his colleagues, and was told the ticket is not valid to be used on buses. Whilst on the bus, the inspector asked the driver, did you check the ticket, he replied, 'I didn't see the ticket'. We got off at Euston Station, it was at that point where my all details were taken, and was told you will receive a letter from TFL regarding this matter, and i must warn that you may be prosecuted. I did indeed receive a letter, returned it TFL within the 10 days, including the full account of what happened on the day. It seems my letter made very little or no difference, and I'm now about to be prosecuted. The ticket i purchased is for overground rail, (£85 per week) and i sometimes purchase an overground rail ticket which also includes tube and bus. On this occasion it was an oversight on my part, and when i realised the error I'd made, it was too late, and i just froze and didn't know what to do or say. Can somebody please advise, and what my option are, if any? Thank you