Sound like you got hit harsh ... BUT what it comes down to is where do you draw the line?? let one person off?? you have to let every person off ... if to's are picking and choosing people to let off it becomes unethical, SOP's state strictly that everyone MUST be treated and dealt with equally, as harsh as it sounds its the only way it can work otherwise it turns into discrimination (fining people who look like sh*t bags but then letting an average looking person off) lots of to's do it and let people off but its off the record... I'll give you a bit of advice: under standard operating procedures ticketing offences are (adult) category 1 offences and under law means a fine should be issued UNLESS - There were no ticketing facilities at the station (no machine and no window eg: vineyard), an error was made by staff selling you the ticket, you came to the station and gave yourself enough time to purchase a ticket but for some unforseen circumstance you were unable to purchase a ticket (unusually long lines) ticket machine was broken and no window was available. Not trying to be a blues dude but transit officers do a thankless job. Revenue is absolutely low priority, safety and security is their primary role. I guarantee you most of transit officer resources go to late night trains (car patrols and foot patrols) 99% of people think to's just do ticketing but ticket checks are told to be conducted regularly until a job comes up (so to's aren't standing around scratching their heads) to's get good pay because it a very tough job, dealing directly with aggressive persons and high pressure situations with only a baton and handcuffs .... its classed as a high risk job which is why the money is decent ... and I dont wanna say it but I know all this because im a to