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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.
Reader views (6)
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
It is his own fault. He should not support Arsenal!
- Adrian, London UK
Detain him for 42 days without trial. That will learn him!
- Mike, London
As usual it is outrageous that he is now being prosecuted when they ignore the real fare dodgers that abuse the system. I used to use the 25 bus into the City on a daily basis and there is blatant fare dodging.
Get rid of those fare dodgers and those awful bendy buses.
- Kate , East London
