I was parked in a red route loading /disabled bay outside 147-159 Stokenewington High St N16 (Hackney, London) at 14.34 and received a PCN from TFL code 46: stopped where prohibited (on a red route or clearway). I didn’t realise they had changed the parking restriction timings from 10am – 4pm to 7am to 1pm. There is a traffic order with Hackney council created in April 2013 about changing the signs but upon asking local shop owners, the signs were changed in March 2014. I have parked here when taking my mum to the bank for the past 10 yrs as my mum is a disabled blue badge holder. We were in India when the signs were changed in March 2014. We returned in April 2014. So had no way of knowing that the parking restriction times had changed. And no, I didn’t check the signs before I parked. I didn't know they were going to change. Also the red route bay parking time restrictions have not been changed on the opposite side of the road. They remain as 10am-4pm. In my informal representation to TFL, which I made online via their website I simply said I was parked legally with badge displayed and within the time frame (Thinking you could park there until 4pm. Didn’t realise the parking restriction timings had changed and hence this is why i got the ticket ). And that CCTV images were taken from back so it could not see badge displayed in windscreen. TFL rejected my representation. However upon further investigation the new signage does not face the oncoming traffic but is parallel to the road. It is impossible to read the sign as you approach the red route box. see pics Google images show the earlier signs with old parking time restriction (10am – 4pm) faced the oncoming traffic. Can I appeal on the basis that the sign does not face the correct way, even though this was not my initial representation. Further new sign further down the road also faces the oncoming traffic? Any help, thoughts and suggestions would be most appreciated. Thank you in advance Saavy

Hello. Basically on the 13/04/2014. I went to my local shop known as Telfords in South/Dormers Wells Lane. To top up my Oyster card by £2. I only needed to make one journey to Ealing Broadway to see my boyfriend at work and I already had 40p on it. I bought a bottle of Ribena and paid by card the total was £4.28. The shop owner realized he charged a pound too much and gave a pound coin back. He only gave me the card payment recepit, but not the little one that shows you made the payment on the oyster. So I left. I got the bus, went to scan the card. It didn't work. Which was strange, even though I just topped it up 15 mins or so ago. I showed him my card recepit and he said I can get on. But if the Inspectors came on. I would have hassle. I understood this and got on. At around Grovesnor Road. They got on. Came up upstairs. I immediatley said along the lines of "I did top up, but it wouldn't scan for some reason." They said it was fine, the bus driver explained the situation to them. Then they tried to scan the card, but it didn't work. He then assured me that I wasn't in trouble (I was really getting stressed out because I did top it up and I know I did.) and everything would be fine. He then inspected it and showed me the areas where the card was damaged and said that he can get sent off, have it analysed and I can get a replacement one from them. He asked me where I was going. I said I was only going to Ealing Broadway (At this point I was on the phone to my boyfriend, but didn't hang up, I just held the phone in my hand, because I texted him stating my card wouldn't scan and what had happened thus far), he said this was fine. He then asked how I was traveling, I said bus and said I was only making the one journey today. He said he'll give me an Authority to travel card and filled it out for me, then gave it back to me. He asked for my details, address and dob. Which I happy to do. He said again everything was fine and I was not in trouble. I got off at Ealing Broadway, after saying thank you and being very sorry for the hassle. On the 17th I get a letter stating I will be taken to court. At this point I started bawling my eyes out and had a panic attack, because I took their word and trusted them (I have severe social anixety and depression, so this had set me off.), my boyfriend then called them on my behave because I couldn't speak coherently at the time. He gave them my case number. Then he explained what had happened, then the man on the phone said "Is that what she told you?" as if I was making it up. He held in his anger. And repeated what had happened. The man on the phone said that the inspector either gave me the wrong information or outright lied to me (I've noticed in threads speaking of similar situations, that they lie to you in order to get co-operation out of you.), and that my Oyster card in question had not been topped up since Feb 2007. Which is silly, because I was born in 1992 and I would been in North Wales (Where I use to live) and still be in school. I wasn't even aware of Oyster cards then. Then he gave a second date of Feb 2013. Which was strange because the first time I ever received and used the Oyster card is when I was visiting my boyfriends family in London in Late (around Septemberish) 2013 (my boyfriends mum had bought me the oyster card and topped it up for me), I only used it a few times. Then when I moved down to London in 13/02/2014, I then started to regularly use and top up my Oyster with no issue. The man on the phone said the information they have is "sketchy". They also said that they don't do replacement services. So. I feel like I am being taken for a ride here. They are trying to make me out to be a criminal essentially and I would never dodge a fare. So I am sending my statement, my boyfriends statement of the phonecall he had with one of their employees. The original card recepit and the bank statement showing I paid this amount on this day and it's all right. Then a copy of my authority to travel card because I can't trust them at this point. I also went to my local shop to view the footage of me paying for the top-up with my boyfriend, it even shows me taking out my oyster card and debit card, then paying for the Ribena and top-up and putting the cards away away. They will keep the footage for me and I said in my letter if they still find my account not to be true. They can arrange to view the footage themselves or arrange something reasonable with me in regards of the footage and said I will get the statement of the local shop confirming the CCTV and the events of that day. Also, if I had actually caused an offence, why did I receive the authority to travel card and told I did nothing wrong, I would get a replacement etc and why was I not given on the spot fine?

Hello can one of the transport guys please help me with my situation!! I was caught on 12 december 2013 using my friends student oyster card, and was caught. I received a letter yesterday saying that 'they may prosecute me'. I have decided to write an apologetical letter and asking for an out of court settlement. I Have not been using the card regularly, i would say i have used it twice, prior to that i have been using my student oyster(i regret for being ignorant of tfl laws and fully understand where tfl are coming from). Is it possible they could check that. And the lady who took my details only cautioned me after i signed her notebook, the caution was something like 'you are not under arrest...and you don't have to stay with me'. How relevant is this!! PLease need replys ASAP!!!

This isi a bit of an odd one - wondering if anyone can help. Earlier today due to a ton of engineering works on practically every line possible, I was travelling via Chiltern Railway from Harrow to Marylebone and then onwards to the other side of london. As a young female travelling alone, I was very anxious about not missing the last train home, so i specifically asked the TfL staff (the guys wearing the blue jumper with logo and carrying radios) when the last return train back to Harrow from Marylebone was - he radioed through and then confirmed to me it was 12:20 am. beaing that in mind on my return jounrey i ensured i arrived back in marylebone by around midnight, only to find out that all the info i was given was wrong and i had already missed the last train. I had no choice but to go outside and pick p a cab, during which time i was hassled by a gang of drunk men for over 20 mins which was very distressing , anfd finally i anaged to get into a cab and it cost me over 50 Pounds to get back home. Needless to say i am extremely ****ed off that i was told the wrong info by TFL who actually radioed through -- hw does this happen?! also when i got back to harrow, the staff there told me i should write in to tfl and complain explaining this in detail as the radio calls are recorded and i should be compensated. I have just submitted something by email in anger (i have just got home!) but i was wondering if anyone had any better advice on how to approach this. I am very annoyed about a) being over 50 pounds out of pocket and b) having had such a distressing journey home causing me stress and anxiety, all because TfL could not get their facts right. This was on a day that even without the mishap took over 1.5 hrs to travel a few miles due to horrendous engineering works. Is there anything that can be done about this??

Hi, thanks in advance for reading and i really appreciate advice and help. I was using the bus back in December and a ticket inspector asked for my oyster card. I gave him my oyster card and he then asked me for photo ID as he said I was using a discounted oyster card. It was only til then I realised I mistakenly was using my mums JSA oystercard. He said I had to pay a fine on the spot but I couldn't because I didn't have any money on me at the time. I then received a letter from TFL to tell my side of the story and provide proof that I have a oyster of my own, I told them that it was my mistake saying the oyster cards looked the same and provided my evidence. I then received a court summoning out of the blue without the TFL offering me to pay a fine after the initial on the spot fine. I pleaded not guilty as the inspectors statement said I was knowingly using my mums discounted oyster. My new court date is the same day as my uni exam and i'm really worried I can't postpone it or worst of all get a criminal record. Should i call the tfl prosecutor to ask if I can settle out of court because its causing me an insane amount of stress at the possibility of getting a criminal record on top of my uni exams. Thanks Daniel

Would really appreciate some advice. Back in Dec my daughter, who has just graduated had a Christmas job in London and very stupidly took my husbands staff oyster card without his knowledge, to use for her journey to work. She was stopped and cautioned. She has since had a letter which she replied to, apologising and saying she didn't realise the severity of her actions, but today she has received a court summons. Is there anything we can do to avoid this, as she obviously doesnt want a criminal record and also any advice on my husbands position with his job. Thank you

Hi Everyone, I got a PCN from TFL, I felt something was wrong with the ticket so I made a Freedom Of Information for the maintenance of the CCTV camera used. I got a response from TFL and the CCTV camera had NOT been serviced as and when due. I made a defence based on that fact. TFL turned down my appeal claiming that "CCTV cameras are not individually subject to "Type Approval" . I would have just believed that but they went on further to say that the responsibility of maintaining the cameras lies with the supplier. It seems to me they are trying to shift the blame to the supplier. My question is this: is there any legal requirement that each camera should be regularly serviced? If there is, please could you highlight the relevant Act of parliament. Thanks a lot

Hi folks, I had my car clamped a few days ago for a TFL camera parking PCN I knew nothing about, issued last August. The bailiff was actually a very decent bloke, but told me I had to pay £572 immediately and that the car was earmarked for removal at any time, which would escalate the costs to £700-800. I said as I had had no communication about this PCN at all, and more importantly from Equita, (who because I had a very unpleasant run-in with years ago, I wouldn't have let it go this far) could I have a few hours to make enquiries, and why was the total so large? He said 2 letters had been sent, it was out of his hands and to call the office, who may be able to help. I did so - I was working and had very little time to deal with this - and obviously got the hardest-nosed woman in the history of bailiffs who spoke to me very rudely. She kept telling me it was up to the bailiff - but he wouldnt answer his phone. It was impossible to communicate with this person (I do understand that this is their MO), and the post then came, with what turned out to be the only letter they had sent, dated Jan 3rd. This was Jan 7th. letter asked me for £215. I opened it as I was on the phone to them, and asked if I could at least pay this, instead of nearly £600. Is it legal to add this much without warning? I had no choice but to pay, as I had just about enough, and wouldn't have been able to afford the extra if they'd towed and impounded it. What is my next step. Can I apply for an OOT when I've already paid? Advice gratefully received. T

Dear all, This ticket greeted me this (12.11.2013) morning. Alleged contravention took place on 03.11.2013 at 6pm (see attached PDF scan). I stopped to collect a pre-ordered meal from a restaurant and was in place for about 1-2 mins. Any thoughts? Yours, ShivaYash Stoke Newington

Hi all I lent my car to my brother who took it to London and whilst there was imaged entering/stopping a boxed junction. I have received the penalty charge notice which I intend to appeal. However, a technical issue exists on the form. It says I can make representations on any of the five grounds listed which summarised are; I was not the owner, the offence was not committed, the car was stolen, it was a hire car, the penalty amount is wrong. My personal defence is that I was not the driver but nowhere on the form is there an option to state that. As I am the registered keeper of the vehicle am I personally liable for the driving offences carried out by people using my vehicle? I somehow think not. I would be grateful for any advice and opinions on how to respond to this form. I guess at some point the offence may find its way back to the true defendant in the form of an amended notice in which case I guess I would continue the thread as my brother was forced to stop in the box by pedestrians obstructing his exit. Many thanks in advance PS According to the notice it is supposed to be possible to make representations online at www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers Feel free to have a look at that site. anyone able to tell me where exactly I can find the link to enable me to do this?

hi just came in from work and ive got a letter from tfl prosecution policy saying i was on a bus on monday but it wasnt me as i was indoors that day , how do i go about this would it be better to ring them or write back and has this happend to anyone else before? I want them to send me CCTV images of the guy as i think i have a idea of who could of used my details would they do this i dont want to end up getting a criminal record when it wasnt even me on the bus.

so to cut a long story short, i have an annual season ticket, i got a fine on a bus because i had lost my photo card and even after exhausting many avenues to replace it it still took another week before i could get a new one anyway after appealing three times, the last letter i sent them with my case was on the 8th of june, this week i recieved a reply after what i worked out as around 17 weeks, or 129 days, i believe i read somewhere they have to reply within 56 days? they are now stating my final appeal was rejected My letter 8th june: "Dear sirs/Madame Apologies for the slightly late reply, I did not receive your reply until Thursday of this week (6th of june) even though the letter was dated the 25th may Again I enclose a copy of the fine, my season ticket and new photocard, again I would like to express the fact that I went to MANY an effort to have my photocard replaced upon losing my photocard on the weekend of 6th april. A few key points I would like to make on this appeal 1- Rye house ticket office was not open all week which when I arrived in the morning and evening (7.15am and 5.57pm respectively) 2- Stratford station was unable to process my request as they stated they was too busy with customers waiting behind to process a photocard replacement 3- Broxbourne station attempted twice for me, however stated that “the system will not let me in” 4- The bus driver should not have let me on to the bus in the first place, had I known this I would have walked instead I spend over £2500 a year and went to every effort I possibly could to get my photocard replaced and feel I physically could not have done any more short of searching London for my lost photocard, We are often stopped atleast once a week by inspectors on the train and not once have I forgot my photocard in the last 19 months of being a season ticket holder, more often the time inspectors not even checking my card, I would appreciate this time that this is looked at by management, and I would like a manager to call me on my mobile XXXXXXXXX so that I can actually discuss via a telephone conversation the matters of this fine Kind Regards XXXX " Here is their reponse 10th october "The panel decided that passes which need photocards are only valid for travel if they are accoompanied by the relevant photocard, and it is the passengers responsibility to see that they have that photocard with them whenever they use their pass. From the infomation made available to the panel they concluded that you do not do this and your grounds for appeal were not accepted. In coming to this decision the panel accepts that this was not deliberate but Gold cards are not valid without accompanying photocard. A drivers license proves identity, but not entitlement to the discount being enjoyed. you were aware you had lost your photocard and you should have bought tickets for your journey until you were able to replace it. In this instance the panel accepts that you made a mistake and had no intention of deliberately avoiding payment. The panel noted that a penalty fare is appropriate for inadvertent breaches of travel conitions and one was correctly issued in this case. payment is now due such and such...." Thanks for any advice

Transport for London (TfL) is today launching a public consultation seeking customers' views on proposals to withdraw cash fare payments on London buses. Since the introduction of the Oyster card in 2003, and the launch of contactless payment cards on London's buses last year, more and more passengers are now appreciating the convenience and value for money these options offer. This year cash fares will make up less than one per cent of bus journeys - down from 25 per cent in 2000 - and TfL is now putting proposals to passengers that would see cash fare payments on London buses ending in 2014. Paying with Oyster or a contactless payment card guarantees the cheapest fare, currently £1 less than a cash fare. Consultation now open - have your say A public consultation is available on the TfL website (tfl.gov.uk/cashless). This consultation closes on 11 October 2013.

Hi All, I hope you are able to help. At an arrival station I tried to tap out and realised that my card had insufficient funds. I approached the guard who took my oyster card and asked some preliminary questions, but didn't get my details. I explained I had forgot to tap in so didn't know until I arrived that the card needed topping up. The line was long, I was late for work, the gate was open and in a moment of uncharacteristic rebellion I walked off. I appreciate that this is a case of outright fare evasion in their eyes. But what I would like to determine is. The card is unregistered but I have topped it up with a debit card in the past. Can/will they trace me and prosecute by tracking the debit card used on the Oyster? I am debating whether to go back and pay or if that is just inviting more trouble on myself. Thanks, KW

Someone please help me coz this whole thing is really unfair. I am on jsa so have hardly any money anyway without being robbed like this. I got a fine from Southern Rail of £20 a few months ago, and they asked for my bank details, saying they would take the £20 in 2 weeks time. which they did. Then a few months later, I find they have taken a further £25. I have no idea what to do about this, I've tried complaining to tfl but they said it's out of their hands and gave me a totally useless website that had no way of complaining. And ofcourse this put me in unarranged overdraft, so that was a £5 charge from santander. As if all this wasnt bad enough, after having got my bank account back to zero, and paying back the unarranged overdraft that i shouldnt have owed in the first place, santander have taken a further £45 from me as an 'unarranged overdraft fee'! AGAIN putting me in unnaranged overdraft which I will no doubt get more ridiculous fees for! When all along this is none of my fault, it's southern rail's for abusing my trust and taking money randomly out of my account, and santanders fault for letting them! Please someone help me I can't afford this and it is really unfair

Dear Consumer action group, My girlfriend got caught in the London Tube using my oyster card on the april 2013. She received a letter few weeks afterwards with a request of explanation and she answered to TFL: Dear Officers, My name is XXXXXXXXX and I am writing you regarding the incident happened at Queensway station on the .... I want to thank you for giving me the change to justify the incident that happened and I hope that you will be happy with my explanation. It has been a mistake and it was not my intention to use my partner Oyster Student Card, I am very sorry for what happened and I will pay a fine if I have to, but it was an accident, I don’t think I deserve it because I always pay. The night before I didn’t sleep well because I am pregnant and I have been really sick since a while, and I had to leave my job recently because of the maternity. In the morning I was still not feeling good and I didn’t even realise that I took the wrong oyster card to go to work. The only possible way that it could have happen is that my partner wrongly put his oyster card in my oyster wallet which is the same one that I have. His oyster was still at home because he doesn’t work on Saturdays, otherwise it couldn’t have happen. (he leaves at 6 am during the week) We share a room and we leave our cards and wallets in the same table. I didn’t realise that I had taken it, I only realised it when the staff member asked me for it. I don’t’ speak very well English and I wanted to explain him but I couldn’t. I called my boyfriend and he tried to explain him the mistake but as I can see you need further explanation. We have different oyster wallet from that day on, so we are not going to mix them up, avoiding silly mistakes like the one that happened on April, which we hope will have a solution. We have now changed the wallet and it will never happen again. I am going to move from my current address, I will call you as soon as I know my new address, so could you contact me by email? I hope to hear from you soon. Your sincerely, [ They then answered asking her to provide them with a different oyster card that she might have used on the day and we provide them two in the following letter: Thanks for answering. I have never registered an oyster card before reading your email. I have bee using two oyster cards in the last months: - xxxxxxx registered under my partner (xxxxxx), not as student card , card that I was using often before, especially in the period of the accident - xxxxxxxx card that I am using now and I have just registered. I attach the cards copies in a file. I don't have any travel documents, I can just show you my student card and NHS Maternity Card. I hope that it will be enough, but let me know if there is something else that I can do. But today she received a letter saying that she should appear in court in September. She doesn't speak english very well and she is very scared. What shall she do? How much is the fine? It is the first time for her. Shall she plead guilty? Shall she go to court or stay home (are there any translators)? She also tryied to justifiy herself but they seem not caring a lot? Did they check all the cameras in the last weeks? Thanks for your help

I have received a ticket for parking in a red boxed loading bay. I was picking up stuff from work with my own private car. The ticket states that the contravention was "parked where prohibited" on a red route. Now, I have requested imagery to make sure that I hadn't exceeded the specified loading time of 20min. I believe TFL have a 5 minute recording period after which they issue the ticket. In my case the time stamp on the imagery covers just about 6 minutes. After I received the requested imagery, I went ahead and contested the PCN on grounds that I was visiting my workplace and was loading within the given time limit. Since TFL responded, that I have to proof that I was loading which normally happens with a proof of delivery note as something similar. As I am not a delivery driver or commercial delivery company, I cannot produce such kind of proof. The actual sign for the loading bay, does not specify that is for commercial vehiles only. However it shows that symbol of a man with a trolley. Does anybody know how to argue against that? Many many thanks in advance.

Hello, Today, I was caught on a bus using my sister's Oyster card (an 11-16 student card) when I myself am 18 and should be using a 16-18 student card, which I applied for many a few months ago which never came. My name and address were taken, and my sister's card was confiscated. The inspector mentioned that a letter would be sent asking me why I had used the card etc.? I didn't know that it was an offence as we are both students and I only used the Oyster card for free bus travel, so TFL were not loosing any fare from the action. Whilst googling for advice on the situation I stumbled upon this site and thought I might find some advice here. I'm really quite worried and any advice would be much appreciated. Regards.

Hi everyone, I am a big fan of this website as it helped me to avoid a lot of trouble. I was caught using a friends freedom pass and summon to court, after reading countless posts I decided to plead not guilty. After months of battling. TFL then sent me a letter saying they dropped the prosecution. Now with all the information and help I gathered, I would like to offer my help in defeating TFL. Thanks again for the posts you guys provided, without them I would have been in trouble.

Hi everyone, firstly thanks in advance for any advice or experience you're able to draw on About 8 months ago my friend started catching a train to and from outside zone 6 by 1 stop. He has been travelling using an oyster card on a zone 1-2, and because he has not needed to swipe in or out at his local station, it's never caused him any issues. He has therefore also been paying £112 a month. This morning he was caught by southwesttrains inspectors (he assumes thats what they were) who took him off the train and cautioned him, then asked him a lot of questions (in quite a forceful manner), without showing him a badge or ID, and always remaining adamant that he should answer, even when asked if he could remain silent. They took various details and essentially tricked him into admitting guilt or fair evasion because he hasn't paid the full amount for over a month. They took his home address details, phone number, oyster card number. Through stupidity and ignorance (which apparently never go down well) he was genuinely unaware he needed a larger zone oyster because he actually only swipes in and out within zone 1 and 2. After the caution he was told it would be given to prosecutions dept and he would receive a letter asking him to come in for questioning, likely followed by a court summons. We sat together just now and worked out that in total (again through accident) he has evaded about 650 pounds (the difference between a zone 1-6 monthly and a zone 1-2 monthly, multiplied by the amount of months he has been living at that address. They apparently made it sound very serious, throwing words like 'fraud evasion' round and also suggesting they may have to go through CCTV to get records of him not paying. I know it's taken on a case by case basis, but has anyone had any experience of anything like this? He technically is guilty I guess, but being young (22), ignorant, and with a career ahead of him, is there no way of avoiding a criminal record? The most we could find online was 'penalty fair of up to £1000 and criminal record'- I'm fairly sure he'd gladly take out a loan to avoid criminal record because it would destroy his career. How bleak is this situation for him? (Please don't just reply saying he was an ignorant idiot because even though Ive now told him that, he could be in real trouble here and is freaking out a little! Many thanks

Hi Forum! I thought you might be interested in some correspondence I've been having with TfL in relation to supposed ATR (Attendance to Remove) fees, and some truly hopelessly inadequate notices served by Equita when attending to levy, that (despite the requirements of the National Standards) did not even state the amount being sought, never mind giving a breakdown of how it had been arrived at. Where things stand now is that TfL have waived two sets of bailiff fees and one penalty charge (we had already agreed to pay the other), on the basis that no Form 9 had been issued when ATRs had been sought. So in some ways that is a **win**. However TfL do seem to be standing by the general practice of bailiffs claiming ATRs when no levy has been achieved (though TfL did apparently need to take 5 *months* to go away and think about this). This seems squarely contrary to the intentions of the law, so I'm interested to see what comments people have on what TfL have written. I am unhappy to leave things here, as it seems to me that this is a running sore that it is long past time that the Ombudsman should be asked to comment on (and I also feel personally guilty that I once let Westminster off the hook on this, by failing to take a Stage 2 response to Stage 3). Beyond that, a couple of other things that struck me as interesting in TfL's most recent response: * TfL claiming that a £210 ATR fee had been "calculated in the same manner as attending to levy distress", and is therefore "reasonable" -- when it is actually three times more than the ATL fee (£72), as well as being a fee for work that has already been charged for. * The way TfL try to sidestep round Culligan, without ever addressing the points made by the judge (and repeated by me) on their merits. * TfL moving from saying that it (August 2012), to saying (April 2013) -- TfL trying to distance itself from its contractors' activities? * And TfL now claiming that "all of TfL's contracted bailiffs issue a Form 9 when an attendance to remove fee is being charged". I'm interested: has anyone ever seen a Form 9 attached to a pre-levy ATL notice, in London or anywhere else? So: what do people think, and how best to move forwards? Anyhow, here is the actual correspondence: TfL's original Stage 2 response (August 2012, re-sent September 2012) My letter objecting to TfL's initial Stage 2 response (October 2012) An email from me from January 2013, after a carbon-copy enforcement action over a different ticket, again using the same hopelessly inadequate ATL notice and again seeking a grossly inflated fee, despite TfL having previously assured me that the previous time it had been due to Equita using an "out of date template" that was not a systemic error. Strangely, there's a curiously garbled sentence in the most recent response at paragraph 16, where TfL were perhaps going to discuss the field bailiff's agreeing to let me have 48 hours to raise this issue and try to have the warrant put on hold, followed by his subsequent clamping of the car a mere 24 hours later. (Fortunately I was able to get TfL to direct him to release it before it was towed away). TfL's reconsidered Stage 2 complaint response. (April 2013) Note that it was only with TfL's stage 2 complaint response (below) that it became clear that the bailiffs had been seeking to charge an ATR fee. Up until this stage it had seemed that the bailiffs might have been trying to charge for three visits (although the numbers didn't add up, and their first description of the property was way off). Quite forceful representations had also been made about the inadequacy of Equita's ATL notices. TfL's Stage 2 response (6 August 2012): I therefore wrote this email, of 2 October 2012, asking TfL to reconsider their Stage 2 position: That was followed by this email of 7 January from me, relating to the second ticket and ATL notices, which led to the clamping (followed by un-clamping) incident the next day: Finally, here is a reconsidered "Stage 2 review" email from TfL, received yesterday:

Hi there, Basically I'm 22 and a driver suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. I do have a blue badge but I'm on the low rate DLA. On the 8th of September 2012 I parked on a red route area, where I thought the restrictions did not apply to blue badge holders, as it had some signpost stating that blue badge holders could park there (I had only had the badge for about 6 months so the parking restrictions etc are still a bit unclear). The red route area was in operation from 7am-7pm, right next to the London Bridge Station Tooley St is where I parked at 6.30pm, displaying my badge. So when I received the PCN issued by TFL dated 14th Septer 2012, I was a little surprised and contested the PCN. This is what I had written: Transport for London PO BOX 4555 BN13 1XY 27/09/12 Dear Sir/Madam, Re: Penalty Charge Notice GF70728040 On the 14th of September 2012, I was issued with the above PCN for parking/stopping in a prohibited area. I was surprised to receive this, as although it was a red route area, there was a signpost stating that these restrictions did not apply to blue badge holders. I have enclosed a copy of my blue badge and its details. In view of this, I would ask that compassion and consideration be given to cancelling the penalty charge notice. Yours faithfully, I got no response back, and instead was issued with a Charge Certificate dated 18th October 2012, which was actually received on the 22nd of October. I wrote them a letter and filled out the Order for Recovery Witness Statement that was included in their letter , and my initial letter along with my blue badge copy, but this time via recorded delivery on the 6th of November 2012. The letter stated that I had until the 28th of November to pay. Here is what I wrote: Transport for London PO BOX 4555 BN13 1XY 06/11/12 Dear Sir/Madam, Re: Penalty Charge Notice GF70728040 I received your letter dated 18th October 2012, with regards to the above PCN issued on the 14th of September 2012, on Monday the 22nd of October 2012. I am writing to appeal the Charge Certificate, as I have not yet had my letter contesting the PCN neither addressed nor acknowledged. I am enclosing a copy of the letter I sent to yourselves on the 27th of September 2012, as well as a copy of my blue badge. In view of this, I would ask that compassion and consideration be given to cancelling the penalty charge notice, as well as the Charge Certificate. Yours faithfully, I still received no letter or correspondence and when I heard nothing, I just assumed they were dropping the fines and leaving me alone. However,, to my shock, on the 14th of January 2013 (it was snowing that day), at 10am my doorbell rang and it was a bailiff demanding I pay £589. They said they had come at 8am and put a letter through my door for bailiff removal and that I had until 10am to contact them. I was suffering from an arthritic flare up so was still in bed, but obviously when the bell rang, my mother went downstairs to answer the door and resolve the matter, but I eventually had to come down. I was told that they had come at 8am to clamp the car and so I had to pay the amount to unclamp it or else they were taking it to the pound and I would have to pay the extra charges then. I had no cash and so paid by card, but had to arrange for the money to be transferred into my account. I did explain to the bailiff that I suffer from arthritis and he was empathetic but said that if my car was registered as disabled, he would not have touched my car. My mother and I did explain that I only receive low rate carer's DLA, and so I wouldn't and can't register my car because in order to do that, you need to be on the higher rate of DLA. However, he did keep on saying that it did not matter, as long as I was receiving DLA, I could register the car as disabled, and he would be able to refund the money. I've since, been in touch with DVLA, who reconfirmed what my mother and I thought-you have to be on HIGH rate DLA and that is so you can be exempt from the tax; there's no way to register the car as being owned by a disabled driver. So now what do I do? I read on the TFL website that there is a process that is carried out before a bailiff comes to the door, and it appears that that process did not take place. I was given a "Warrant of Execution" by the bailiff, but prior to that day, I had never received one. My mother says I should write to TFL stating that they have 7 days to refund the money back, otherwise I'll be taking them to court (I think small claims?) to retrieve that money. How would I do that? And more importantly, what should I do/say? Thank you so much, Zari

I was awakened at 7am this morning by my 9 year old son saying that someone is trying to break down the front door. I ran downstairs and heard someone bashing the door, not knocking, hitting it as hard as they could. I opened the door and it was two people showing me id cards like they were some sort of law enforcement. It turned out the were two bailiffs from Task Enforcement. One of the bailiffs put his foot in my door. I asked him to remove his foot and he said he would not. I asked him again and he still refused to do it. I asked them the reason they were at my house, as I have no reason to have them here. They said they had come to seize goods due to an unpaid congestion charge relating to a vehicle. I explained that the vehicle was not mine and the company name that it was registered under was nothing to do with me. I recognised the name of the company as a friend of mine and I told them that it was him and that he must of used my address without telling me to register his car. They did not believe me and I walked away to get my drivers licence to prove who I was. I said to the to please wait outside the door and I will go get it, when I came back, they had walked into my house and refused to leave. I asked them to leave but they would not. I will add that I have a 9 year old son and a 16 year old son, and a 4 year old daughter with leukemia. The childrens mother had passed away from leukemia and I am a single father. Their intimidating behavior and unwillingness to listen to reason and acknowledge that this had nothing to do with me was scaring my children and my 9 year old son was shaking with fear and crying. I asked them once again to leave the property as I did not invite them in, and they refused. I then called the friend whom I believed had done this, and he answered his phone, I told him they were here and the reason, and he spoke to them on the phone, he confirmed that it was his vehicle, he knew about the fine, he offered to pay and that he was the one responsible and that he had not told me he had registered his car at my address. he also explained that he was declared bankrupt in September last year. They still refused to leave, they refused to talk to him anymore, they said that if I did not pay them £781.34 they will start removing goods from my property. I explained that none of the goods in my house are my friends and that the car was not mine and they acknowledged that but still insisted on making me pay. I called the police and they eventually arrived but they were no help at all. I explained the whole thing to them, they even spoke to my friend on the phone again and they still said that they can do nothing and that the bailiffs can take goods. The female police officer had to console my 9 year son who was so afraid by the two intimidating bailiffs. While we were waiting for the police to arrive, one of the bailiffs picked up my sons baseball bat that we have in a box near the door, as he plays baseball, and the bailiff was swinging it around. I asked him to put it down. Through the entire episode, the two bailiffs were talking loudly, very unreasonable and acting as if they had all the power in the world. I explained my family situation and what my children had been through, but they did not care at all. One of the bailiffs was incredibly intimidating and I have since found his name all over the internet attached to similar situations. I eventually had to call a friend of mine to come and pay the £781.34 for me so that I could get them out of my house, as my children had now missed school as they were too afraid to leave the house and I could not drop my 9 year old son off at school and subsequently was physically sick and too unwell to go to school. After all my children had been through in their lives they did not need this. When they eventually left, I called the DVLA to have my address removed from the registration of the vehicle and they are doing it and sending me a confirmation letter. There was a lot more that happened with these two bailiffs, but I wont make this a long thread, the basic message is, what action can I take against this company and the situation. This had NOTHING to do with me and I proved it, but the still took £781.34 which we do not have due to me not working full time due to my daughters illness and regular visits to the hospital for chemotherapy. Thank you for reading and would welcome any advice. Thank you

Hi I was asked to produce my ticket whilst just standing and waiting in a tube station. I was a bit surprised as I've never been asked in this sort of scenario before. When I started looking through my bag I couldn't find my ticket. I later found it and appealed with a scan of the ticket. Here is my letter I sent to IRCAS. They have turned down the appeal. Can you offer any advice please. Hello I was waiting with my mother at Shepherds Bush while we were trying to decide whether we would both to go Westfield or she would go alone and I would join her later. We were standing for a few minutes discussing when a member of staff came up to me and asked if I had a ticket. I said I did and started going through my bag to get my ticket. I looked through my bag for a few minutes and then my coat and explained that it was in there somewhere but I was having trouble finding it in amongst all the things that were in my bag. The member of staff did not even give me a few minutes to look through properly but started writing a penalty fare notice. I knew I had it in there unless it had fallen out and so went back to see if I could find it. I later found it at the bottom of my bag as I had not put it back into my usual ticket wallet. By that point, I was in Westfield shopping centre and when I went back, I could not see the member of staff to get the penalty fare notice cancelled. I am therefore appealing my fine and can provide, if required, a scan of my ticket.

yesterday i was caught travelling on the bus and it turns out that i didn't swipe my oyster card however i did attempt to and actually thought that it went through but an incident outside one of the bus stop scared me as there was a man who threatened me with violence and i was shaken up so i wanted to get home as fast as possible i cannot remember whether i actually swiped it i might of got the side or something as it didn't make a noise the ticket inspector came and checked my oyster which i thought that there wouldn't be a problem but it turns out i didnt swipe my card all he took was my name address and date of birth he also asked me for id which i happily showed he did not give me a slip or anything to pay he just said that they will contact me. this is not the first time this has happened as i was fined last November for the same thing, thinking that i had actually swiped. what i want to know is what is going to happen to me they have not contacted me and im scared casue they didnt give me a slip to pay for the fine are they going to give me a criminal record??? i have never been in trouble with the police or any authority figure please tell me what is going to happen as i cannot sleep nor eat as this is driving me crazy and this matter has made me depressed and is affecting my studies at university i also keep every oyster card top up receipt, i current have over 40 slips. wouldn't this show them i pay??? thank you for your help