Ticket irregularity report from TPE

[t_f]

Today I was travelling from Bradford interchange to Hull. I bought the ticket on Trainline using the 16-25 rail card. I have never travelled on a Transpennine express service before and when the ticket inspector came to check the tickets he asked for me for my rail card. I pulled out a 19-25 metro card as I assumed this is the same thing as using the 16-25 railcard (I only realised after that these are two different cards but could be used for the same purpose but I was wrong) I told the inspector that I was told at Bradford ticket office(few months back) that I could use the 19-25 card on trains (it says on google too) so I thought this will also give me the discount but he said that the 19-25 card is only used of you are buying weekly tickets (I didn’t quite understand what he said). I used this 19-25 card only once before a few weeks ago when travelling to Leeds from Bradford and when the ticket inspector asked for my rail card I SHOWED HIM THE SAME 19-25 CARD BUT HE JUST SAW IT AND WENT (which is why I thought that I have a valid rail card) I am sure if it was invalid then he would have surely said something or he probably was day dreaming. Back to TPE, I told the officer that I am happy to pay the full ticket price now but he wasn’t really listening to me and started taking my details for which I fully cooperated and gave him the details. He said you will receive a letter and just do what it says. I was travelling to hull for a test and this really worried me. I bought the return ticket without using any railcards, just the standard ticket price. I have also now bought the 16-25 card to avoid any future misunderstandings and admit that it was partially my fault but it’s very confusing which cards can be used when. I am sure they will look on trainline and see that I have purchased one ticket before (the leeds one) using the railcard. After reading few threads here I am even more scared, I don’t want to be convicted or this to become something really serious.

 

[Trainman40083]

I suspect the difference is Bradford and Leeds are in the Metro area of West Yorkshire. Hull most certainly is not.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

@t_f. Welcome to the forum. Believe that with an West Yorkshire MCard, it's only valid for a rail journey as far as the last station that the train stops at in West Yorkshire.

Would imagine, however, that the matter you report can probably be resolved by paying TPE a sum of money, this likely being £29.60 = the Anytime Day Single fare, if if is from Leeds to Hull, plus maybe a three figure admin fee.

Where did the get stopped, by the way? Presumably, to be on a TPE train you'd have changed trains at Leeds?

 

[t_f]

I did not know that it was only for West Yorkshire. It was my first time travelling to hull so I didn’t really know the changes, I was already stressed due to the test. I got stopped on the TPE train from leeds to hull, yes I changed at Leeds .

I suspect the difference is Bradford and Leeds are in the Metro area of West Yorkshire. Hull most certainly is not.

i would have never realised this on my own. I thought all cards work everywhere

 

[Mcr Warrior]

i would have never realised this on my own. I thought all cards work everywhere

Unfortunately not. Would imagine you'll be hearing from TPE in due course. If you so wish, please upload a copy of any correspondence you receive from them, as and when received, obscuring or otherwise covering up your name and address and any case reference number.

 

[jamiearmley]

@t_f. Welcome to the forum. Believe that with an West Yorkshire MCard, it's only valid for a rail journey as far as the last station that the train stops at in West Yorkshire.

Would imagine, however, that the matter you report can probably be resolved by paying TPE a sum of money, this likely being £29.60 = the Anytime Day Single fare, if if is from Leeds to Hull, plus maybe a three figure admin fee.

Where did the get stopped, by the way? Presumably, to be on a TPE train you'd have changed trains at Leeds?

Nearly correct.

The 19 25 Metro card allows purchase of a discounted weekly or monthly Metro ticket, allowing bus and train travel within metro card zones 1-5 in West Yorkshire.

It does NOT give any discount on any train tickets anywhere at all, and does not give any discount on any ticket available to purchase from the Trainline app.

Hope this helps.

 

[John R]

I did not know that it was only for West Yorkshire.

i would have never realised this on my own. I thought all cards work everywhere

That’s a fairly weak excuse, tbh. Did you think a card issued in the Leeds area would automatically work anywhere in the country?

I think you need to develop a life skill of taking a bit more care when you sign up to anything that you understand the terms and conditions.

You will likely be written to, and assuming you engage promptly with them, are apologetic for your error and ask nicely will probably be able to walk away from this without a criminal conviction, but probably a low three figure dent in your bank balance.

Make sure you look out for their letter, and if you move address for more than a couple of weeks then put in place some means of getting any letters that arrive in your absence.

 

[t_f]

Nearly correct.

The 19 25 Metro card allows purchase of a discounted weekly or monthly Metro ticket, allowing bus and train travel within metro card zones 1-5 in West Yorkshire.

It does NOT give any discount on any train tickets anywhere at all, and does not give any discount on any ticket available to purchase from the Trainline app.

Hope this helps.

This actually makes sense now and also what the ticket inspector was saying! But this was all a genuine mistake, it’s also my fault for not properly checking the rail cards before travelling

That’s a fairly weak excuse, tbh. Did you think a card issued in the Leeds area would automatically work anywhere in the country?

I think you need to develop a life skill of taking a bit more care when you sign up to anything that you understand the terms and conditions.

You will likely be written to, and assuming you engage promptly with them, are apologetic for your error and ask nicely will probably be able to walk away from this without a criminal conviction, but probably a low three figure dent in your bank balance.

Make sure you look out for their letter, and if you move address for more than a couple of weeks then put in place some means of getting any letters that arrive in your absence.

My mental health wasn’t the best recently due to the exam I had today for which I was travelling to Hull for. I do admit it’s my fault but it was not intentional. I didn’t know some cards were used for specific purposes only. I just don’t want to get into serious trouble because of a genuine error, now that I have purchased the correct rail card. I am waiting for the letter and hopefully they accept my apology. I have just started working too and I have never had anything wrong happen to me and don’t want any sort of conviction.

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

While we cannot guarantee it , you should be able to sort this out without being prosecuted if you follow the advice below.

What happens next is that Transpennine will write to you in the next few weeks saying they have received a report and are considering prosecuting you. The letter will ask you to give your version of events before deciding how to proceed. I suggest you send a short, concide reply mentioning the following points:

I suggest a short, concise reply mentioning the following points:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident
- Ask if it is possible to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the train company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter

Transpennine are normally prepared to offer an out of court settlement to people who engage with the process and who have not come to their attention before. Expect to have to pay the cost of the fare avoided at the full Anytime rate along with an admin fee, typically around £150. This will need to be paid in full within a few days of it being offered.

Paying an out of court settlement might feel like paying a fine, but technically it isn't. Only a court can impose a fine as a punishment upon conviction. You won't have a criminal record as a result of paying an out of court settlement.

When it arrives, upload a copy of the letter from Transpennine along with your draft reply forum members will proof read it for you. Do redact any personal details before uploading.

 

[t_f]

Thank you for your response. I have now received the letter (attached). I am assuming I just need to pay this amount and the case will be closed. I was expecting that I would need to write a whole page regarding the incident, what happened and pleading an out of court settlement.

 

[Titfield]

Yes pay the amount requested and the matter will be closed.

 

[furlong]

If you wish you can escalate that letter to the Department for Transport through your M.P., querying under what authority TPE has charged you a 'Penalty'.
This is not a Penalty Fare, which a train company can impose upon you subject to various conditions (including rights of independent appeal notably not offered here). Only a court itself can impose a penalty upon you for a breach of the law and arguably any amounts paid under false pretences need to be refunded.

Those with long memories may recall the DfT's query (revealed through FOI) when Northern tried something similar:

"Under Byelaw 24 of the Railway Byelaws, any person who breaches Byelaw 18 commits an offence and "...may be liable for each offence to a penalty not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale".
It is our view that such a penalty does not amount to a "fixed penalty" and that it can only be imposed by a Magistrates' Court. I hope you will understand that the Department could not endorse any action by Northern that was not lawful.

TPE and any other train company has no power to introduce its own alternative system of penalties for breaches of the law, thereby undermining the role of the criminal courts. This might be viewed as getting dangerously close to interfering with the proper administration of justice.

It already has the ability to impose a penalty - a Penalty Fare - a civil penalty. If it wants to impose a penalty it should use that system, rather than inventing its own ad hoc alternative that lacks the safeguards that system provides. If it considers that insufficient then it should lobby government for legislative changes.

An out-of-court settlement of a criminal matter treads a fine line and involves no penalty - it only serves to put the company back into the position it would have been in had the specific alleged crime not been committed.
In Northern's case, they obtained a legal opinion that argued that their requested payment was "a properly costed fixed payment" and stated:

The sum...is not intended to represent a punitive sum.
The only system of financial penalty that is imposed is that which is imposed by the courts.

TPE's letter however unambiguously refers to it as a "Penalty", without even pretending it merely covers actual incurred costs, and states

This amount must be paid in full within 21 days of this letter.

It looks to be intended to be both punitive and imposed.

In summary, given the parameters chosen (£50, £100 after 21 days), this looks like a blatant attempt to bypass the hard-won independent appeals mechanism provided by regulated penalty fares, taking us backwards several years, and as such, the DfT needs to intervene IMHO and either put a stop to this or consult on a properly-considered appropriate extension to the Penalty Fares Regulations.

 

[wilbers]

If you wish you can escalate that letter to the Department for Transport through your M.P., querying under what authority TPE has charged you a 'Penalty'.
This is not a Penalty Fare, which a train company can impose upon you subject to various conditions (including rights of independent appeal notably not offered here). Only a court itself can impose a penalty upon you for a breach of the law and arguably any amounts paid under false pretences need to be refunded.

Those with long memories may recall the DfT's query (revealed through FOI) when Northern tried something similar:


TPE and any other train company has no power to introduce its own alternative system of penalties for breaches of the law, thereby undermining the role of the criminal courts. This might be viewed as getting dangerously close to interfering with the proper administration of justice.

It already has the ability to impose a penalty - a Penalty Fare - a civil penalty. If it wants to impose a penalty it should use that system, rather than inventing its own ad hoc alternative that lacks the safeguards that system provides. If it considers that insufficient then it should lobby government for legislative changes.

An out-of-court settlement of a criminal matter treads a fine line and involves no penalty - it only serves to put the company back into the position it would have been in had the specific alleged crime not been committed.
In Northern's case, they obtained a legal opinion that argued that their requested payment was "a properly costed fixed payment" and stated:


TPE's letter however unambiguously refers to it as a "Penalty", without even pretending it merely covers actual incurred costs, and states


It looks to be intended to be both punitive and imposed.

In summary, given the parameters chosen (£50, £100 after 21 days), this looks like a blatant attempt to bypass the hard-won independent appeals mechanism provided by regulated penalty fares, taking us backwards several years, and as such, the DfT needs to intervene IMHO and either put a stop to this or consult on a properly-considered appropriate extension to the Penalty Fares Regulations.

As far as the OP is concerned isn't all that a moot point - if a penalty fare had been issued to begin with it would have been paid without an appeal. Looks like TPE have decided a penalty fare should have been issued to begin with and acted accordingly. Amount requested paid, and end of the matter to the satisfaction of both parties.

 

[t_f]

As far as the OP is concerned isn't all that a moot point - if a penalty fare had been issued to begin with it would have been paid without an appeal. Looks like TPE have decided a penalty fare should have been issued to begin with and acted accordingly. Amount requested paid, and end of the matter to the satisfaction of both parties.

I paid the penalty fair on the day when I received the letter (which I received next day of the incident) for my peace of mind, thanks all for the advise!

 

[t_f]

I am writing again as I have received an email from TransPennine Express Debt Recovery and will probably receive a letter in post too. I have paid the initial penalty fair and I assumed the matter will be closed as stated in the original penalty letter. This email just threw me off. I had bought the 16-25 rail card on the same day I received the travel irregularity notice (25th September 2024) and the all of the journeys made after this date I had a valid rail card. The journeys made before this date, I travelled just between Leeds Bradford region and had the 19-25 M card, that I showed when travelling to Hull on the 25th September and got into trouble in the first place as it’s not valid on TPE and journey to Hull. Fast forward, I need advise on what to do about this matter, and how to word it when writing back to them, the only day I didn’t have a valid rail card was the 25th September (but I bought it there and then to correct my mistake) but I have paid the penalty fine for that. All the other journeys made I had a valid rail card. I have also attached a picture of the M card, could anyone just clear it out that this is valid to travel between Leeds Bradford region only because I was told otherwise and also checked online too.

 

[skyhigh]

I have also attached a picture of the M card, could anyone just clear it out that this is valid to travel between Leeds Bradford region only because I was told otherwise and also checked online too.

It is only valid for a discount on weekly or monthly MCard tickets. It does not entitle you to discounts on any other type of tickets.

If you bought a ticket using the 16-25 Railcard option when you only held that you have been incorrectly claiming discounts that you weren't entitled to.

 

[t_f]

Oh no, I actually can’t even remember if I applied the 16-25 rail card on the journey made on 7th September, most likely I did because I remember showing the same M card during ticket inspection but he never said anything, hence why I thought it can be used as a railcard. That was the only time I used this M card. I am really scared as I don’t want to be persecuted as it was genuinely a mistake, had I known the difference between the rail cards I wouldn’t have done this. I would really appreciate some advise on what to do about this matter.

 

[pedr]

I think the question you need to try to answer for yourself is this: what tickets have you purchased with a 16-25 railcard discount? Whether you showed anyone your MCard is not relevant as the issue is the ticket you bought, not the interaction with railway staff. Do you now have a 16-25 Railcard?

If these were e-tickets you should still have the emails with the ticket attachments so you can check precisely which tickets you bought when, and which had a discount applied. If you bought a 16-25 railcard between 25th September and 22nd October then you will be able to tell the train company that those discounted tickets were valid, so it would then only be the ones on 7th September and 25th September. You've already paid for the Leeds to Hull journey on 25th September, but the train company won't necessarily know that (as you've said here) you bought a new ticket and didn't use the discounted return Hull-Leeds ticket. You should address the Bradford to Leeds and Leeds to Bradford journeys too, though, as those appear to be separate tickets.

 

[t_f]

Thank you for your response. All of the tickets are valid after the 25th of September as I had bought the correct rail card on the same day. The only invalid tickets are on 7th September and 25th September.
7th September: Bradford interchange to Leeds, and Leeds to Bradford interchange
25th September: I bought the discounted return ticket from Bradford interchange to hull which had a stop at Leeds but only used when going from Bradford interchange to hull.
I bought the correct ticket on my journey back from hull to Bradford interchange as I was given the travel irregularity report and was told to buy the correct ticket when returning.
They have written in the email that If I am unable to provide evidence showing that I had a valid railcard for these journeys, they may take legal action against me to recover the fares that are owed for the journeys where they have reason to believe no valid railcard was held. How do these cases end usually because I don’t want to get a hefty fine as I have already paid one, I am happy to pay for the full priced tickets for these two occasions which isn’t a lot of money. I don’t want to get a criminal record either or any other legalities. What else can I add in my email as mitigating circumstances (I’m sure they won’t believe me but I actually didn’t know the Metro card won’t work, I know it’s very stupid of me to think that). Will it make a difference if I mention that I was going for a very important exam to hull that day? It mentions in the email that I can provide an explanation for my actions

 

[30907]

Thanks.
You need to provide evidence of your 16-25 Railcard.
Remind them, politely, of the settlement you paid earlier this autumn which covers your journey on 25/9.

This leaves the tickets on 7 September. As you weren't caught using them, they can't take you to court so you could keep quiet and see what happens next - however, I suspect they will then come back to you anyway and offer you a similar settlement.

Alternatively, you could decide you want to settle this once for all now, in which case be proactive and write again briefly along the lines in post #9.

Other forum members will have views on this too, so hang on a day or so!

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you for your response. All of the tickets are valid after the 25th of September as I had bought the correct rail card on the same day. The only invalid tickets are on 7th September and 25th September.
7th September: Bradford interchange to Leeds, and Leeds to Bradford interchange
25th September: I bought the discounted return ticket from Bradford interchange to hull which had a stop at Leeds but only used when going from Bradford interchange to hull.
I bought the correct ticket on my journey back from hull to Bradford interchange as I was given the travel irregularity report and was told to buy the correct ticket when returning.
They have written in the email that If I am unable to provide evidence showing that I had a valid railcard for these journeys, they may take legal action against me to recover the fares that are owed for the journeys where they have reason to believe no valid railcard was held. How do these cases end usually because I don’t want to get a hefty fine as I have already paid one, I am happy to pay for the full priced tickets for these two occasions which isn’t a lot of money. I don’t want to get a criminal record either or any other legalities. What else can I add in my email as mitigating circumstances (I’m sure they won’t believe me but I actually didn’t know the Metro card won’t work, I know it’s very stupid of me to think that). Will it make a difference if I mention that I was going for a very important exam to hull that day? It mentions in the email that I can provide an explanation for my actions

I would suggest that before you write to them, following the advice in post #20 - you post a draft of what you propose to send so that people here can help you get what you need to reply to them worded as well and as clearly as it can be in order to get the best outcome for you.

ref this:

Will it make a difference if I mention that I was going for a very important exam to hull that day? It mentions in the email that I can provide an explanation for my actions

No, in my view it won't make a difference to mention that. I can't see why this would have meant you had the wrong ticket.

What makes a difference is making it clear to them that
- you now understand what railcard and ticket you need for travel,
- that you now understand where the M Card is valid and where you can correctly use it,
and
- that you will not make the same sort of mistakes again.

Stating those things will make a difference. I do not think they will be interested in things like you being in a hurry and not taking time to check before you travelled, or doing things you thought were more important.

 

[Titfield]

Perhaps far more obviously than other counties Yorkshire is subdivided and the local authorities do emphasise the divisions quite extensively. It is also a bit of a stretch to think that Hull is in West Yorkshire when it is on the East Coast,

 

[skyhigh]

Perhaps far more obviously than other counties Yorkshire is subdivided and the local authorities do emphasise the divisions quite extensively. It is also a bit of a stretch to think that Hull is in West Yorkshire when it is on the East Coast,

Unfortunately that's completely irrelevant here. Even if it wasn't subdivided, the pass would still offer no discount on anything other than MCard season fares so the OP would still be in the same position.

 

[Titfield]

Unfortunately that's completely irrelevant here. Even if it wasn't subdivided, the pass would still offer no discount on anything other than MCard season fares so the OP would still be in the same position.

I meant my comment from the perspective of TPE who would be extremely unlikely to see the OPs actions as a forgivable mistake hence it wouldnt be worth mentioning.

 

[Solent&Wessex]

Thank you for your response. All of the tickets are valid after the 25th of September as I had bought the correct rail card on the same day. The only invalid tickets are on 7th September and 25th September.
7th September: Bradford interchange to Leeds, and Leeds to Bradford interchange
25th September: I bought the discounted return ticket from Bradford interchange to hull which had a stop at Leeds but only used when going from Bradford interchange to hull.
I bought the correct ticket on my journey back from hull to Bradford interchange as I was given the travel irregularity report and was told to buy the correct ticket when returning.
They have written in the email that If I am unable to provide evidence showing that I had a valid railcard for these journeys, they may take legal action against me to recover the fares that are owed for the journeys where they have reason to believe no valid railcard was held. How do these cases end usually because I don’t want to get a hefty fine as I have already paid one, I am happy to pay for the full priced tickets for these two occasions which isn’t a lot of money. I don’t want to get a criminal record either or any other legalities. What else can I add in my email as mitigating circumstances (I’m sure they won’t believe me but I actually didn’t know the Metro card won’t work, I know it’s very stupid of me to think that). Will it make a difference if I mention that I was going for a very important exam to hull that day? It mentions in the email that I can provide an explanation for my actions

The important thing to do, if you haven't already done so, is to send a copy of your current 16-25 railcard to TPE, as per their email to you. As long as you can show that you now do have a valid Railcard to cover those journeys then there shouldn't be too much to worry about really.

 

[t_f]

Draft:

I am writing regarding the correspondence I recently received in relation to my actions on 25th September 2024. I wish to sincerely apologise for my oversight on that day and provide further clarification of the situation.

On 25th September, I traveled from Bradford Interchange to Hull using a discounted return ticket purchased with the understanding that my 19-25 Metro Card would suffice as proof of eligibility. Unfortunately, I did not realise at the time that only a valid 16-25 Railcard is accepted for such tickets. As a result, I was unable to present the required railcard when requested by the TPE officer, who subsequently issued me with a travel irregularity report.

I have since received a penalty notice of £79.60, which I have promptly paid as per the instructions provided. Additionally, upon recognising my mistake, I chose not to use the discounted return ticket for my journey back to Bradford Interchange. Instead, I purchased a full-priced ticket for that journey to rectify the error.

On the same day, I also purchased a valid 16-25 Railcard to ensure that all future journeys would comply with the required conditions. I have attached a copy of my railcard, which has been used for all journeys since the 25th of September.

I now fully understand the limitations of the 19-25 Metro Card and the specific eligibility requirements for discounted tickets. This was a genuine and unintentional oversight on my part, and I sincerely regret any inconvenience or cost caused by my actions.

I respectfully request your understanding and sympathy in this matter and kindly ask if it can be resolved without further escalation to court. I am prepared to pay any additional fare or reasonable costs deemed appropriate to settle this matter. Please be assured of my intention to ensure this does not happen again in the future.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I am more than willing to cooperate fully and provide any further information required. I look forward to hearing from you.

A few questions, is it worth mentioning that I genuinely didn’t know the Metro card can’t be used on trains- looking back now I feel soo stupid that I actually thought it would be, what if they think I’m making this all up and think of me as fraudulent and take this matter further, I just want all of this to end once and for all, what explanation can I give to why I didn’t have a rail card on the 7th September (it’s irrelevant what actually happened because that’s the day I showed the 19-25 metro card to the conductor and he said it’s fine)

 

[30907]

You have gone into far too much detail about the previous incident.

The first point to make is that you have a valid 16-25 Railcard.

Second, you purchased it immediately after receiving and paying a Penalty Fare for your journey to Hull.

You can then apologise again for your failure on that occasion, but say that you assume the PF resolved the matter, and that no further payment is due.

This leaves 7 September. You say (I missed this earlier, sorry!) you were given the OK by a conductor (did you manage to get through 3 barriers without trouble as well?).
Something like this might cover it:
"On 7 September I claimed a discount because I had a MetroCard and was allowed to travel by staff. I now realise this was incorrect and will not be repeating the mistake."

Whether TPE will then chase you, I don't know - and I wonder what other members would advise? I suppose it depends if you want to challenge them!
I don't see that TPE have a retrospective claim against you and there is certainly no ground for prosecution.

PS You need to be very careful from now on with your 16-25 - in particular remember that there is a minimum fare to pay in the morning peak UNLESS you have an Advance.

 

[t_f]

I have shortened my response. I don’t want to challenge anyone at this point and want to end this matter, is it worth being proactive and asking for a settlement/paying a penalty for the discounted ticket I purchased on the 7th September and not having a valid rail card.

I am writing regarding the correspondence I recently received in relation to my actions on 25th September 2024. I wish to sincerely apologise for my oversight on that day and provide further clarification of the situation.

I had received a penalty notice of £79.60 , which I have promptly paid as per the instructions provided. Additionally, upon recognising my mistake, I chose not to use the discounted return ticket for my journey back to Bradford Interchange. Instead, I purchased a full-priced ticket for that journey to rectify the error. After paying the penalty, I had assumed that the matter will be closed as written on the letter.

I purchased a valid 16-25 Railcard to ensure that all future journeys would comply with the required conditions. I have attached a copy of my railcard, which has been used for all journeys since the 25th of September.

On 7 September I claimed a discount for my tickets because I had a MetroCard and was allowed to travel by staff. I now realise this was incorrect and will not be repeating the mistake.

 

[WesternLancer]

I have shortened my response. I don’t want to challenge anyone at this point and want to end this matter, is it worth being proactive and asking for a settlement/paying a penalty for the discounted ticket I purchased on the 7th September and not having a valid rail card.

I am writing regarding the correspondence I recently received in relation to my actions on 25th September 2024. I wish to sincerely apologise for my oversight on that day and provide further clarification of the situation.

I had received a penalty notice of £79.60 , which I have promptly paid as per the instructions provided. Additionally, upon recognising my mistake, I chose not to use the discounted return ticket for my journey back to Bradford Interchange. Instead, I purchased a full-priced ticket for that journey to rectify the error. After paying the penalty, I had assumed that the matter will be closed as written on the letter.

I purchased a valid 16-25 Railcard to ensure that all future journeys would comply with the required conditions. I have attached a copy of my railcard, which has been used for all journeys since the 25th of September.

On 7 September I claimed a discount for my tickets because I had a MetroCard and was allowed to travel by staff. I now realise this was incorrect and will not be repeating the mistake.

Yes. I think you should offer ‘to pay any fare owed in order to settle the matter without further action’ or similar wording (ie don’t actively invite them to penalise you but offer to pay what you owe / they may believe you owe.)

 

[t_f]

I am writing regarding the correspondence I recently received in relation to my actions on 25th September 2024. I wish to sincerely apologise for my oversight on that day and provide further clarification of the situation.

I had received a penalty notice of £79.60 , which I have promptly paid as per the instructions provided. Additionally, upon recognising my mistake, I chose not to use the discounted return ticket for my journey back to Bradford Interchange. Instead, I purchased a full-priced ticket for that journey to rectify the error. After paying the penalty, I had assumed that the matter will be closed as written on the letter.

I purchased a valid 16-25 Railcard to ensure that all future journeys would comply with the required conditions. I have attached a copy of my railcard, which has been used for all journeys since the 25th of September.

On 7 September I claimed a discount for my tickets because I had a MetroCard and was allowed to travel by staff. I now realise this was incorrect and will not be repeating the mistake. I am willing to pay any outstanding fare to resolve this matter without further action.

Kind regards


Could someone please double check this? Should I mention my MetroCard or just say that I was not questioned by the staff and it was a mistake and I am willing to pay the fare on the 7th September.