The Bank of England made history by slashing interest rates to an all-time low of 1.5 per cent
More...
Soccer ticket 'blocked Oyster card'
Amar Singh30.06.08
A passenger is being taken to court accused of trying to evade a 90p Oyster card fare on a bendy bus.
Lee McCarthy branded Transport for London's decision to prosecute "ridiculous". The case is set to cost taxpayers more than £5,000.
Mr McCarthy, 30, of Kensal Rise, had more than £10 on his pre-pay Oyster card as he got on the No 18 in Harrow Road in January. He said he swiped the card and was unaware it had not scanned properly.
He believes the card was "blocked" from scanning by his Arsenal smartcard season ticket, which was in the same wallet.
When, in front of inspectors, he removed the season ticket, the Oyster card successfully deducted the fare, he said.
He must appear at Wimbledon magistrates court in August.
"I am a law-abiding citizen, not a fare dodger. It's a joke," he said.
Link to:
Reader views (6)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
This shows how truly incompetent and useless TFL really is. I cannot believe that they will take people to court over 90p (with a cost of around £5000 that WE have to pay through already exorbitant fares).
TFL gives us bad service to a ridicules cost. When I see cases like this I can understand that TFL are in no shape to run the capital's transport network.
- Erik, London
I've heard of people who are not swiping there cards on bendy buses, so to avoid paying for there journey and making there money go further.
- Dave, London
Mr. McCarthy should be more careful and make sure he pays the correct fare. It is after all his responsibility. I am sure the TfL ticket inspectors hear all the excuses under the sun and this is just another one! How are inspectors supposed to tell the genuine mistakes from the clever fare dodgers who use plausible excuses. If he didn't pay his fare then TfL are right to prosecute, and let the court decide who is right.
- Mick,, West London
