Formal warning letters for fare evasion
Request ID: FOI-0197-1920
Date published: 03 May 2019
You asked
Where enforcement officers catch a misuse of a freedom pass to avoid bus fare, a verification letter is sent out which is sometimes followed by a formal warning by TFL agreeing not to prosecute subject to payment of a sum. I would be grateful if you could answer the following:
1. Can anyone but TLF and the person committing fare evasion discover this information via a DBS check or any other means?
2. Is the formal warning one which appears on DBS or any other system?
3. Is the verification letter or formal warning recorded on any system but TFL's?
4. How long is a record kept of the incident for and where?
5. If the formal warning have the same effect as a police warning?
6. Is TFL a "regulatory body"?
I look forward to hearing from you.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0197-1920
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 16th April 2019 asking for information about letters issued in relation to fare evasion.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
Your questions are answered in turn below:
Where enforcement officers catch a misuse of a freedom pass to avoid bus fare, a verification letter is sent out which is sometimes followed by a formal warning by TFL agreeing not to prosecute subject to payment of a sum. I would be grateful if you could answer the following:
1. Can anyone but TfL and the person committing fare evasion discover this information via a DBS check or any other means?
No – it is held on a TfL database only.
2. Is the formal warning one which appears on DBS or any other system?
No.
3. Is the verification letter or formal warning recorded on any system but TFL's?
No.
4. How long is a record kept of the incident for and where?
For 7 years, held on a TfL database.
5. If the formal warning have the same effect as a police warning?
No.
6. Is TFL a "regulatory body"?
Yes.
If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
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