Expired Rail Card SWR

[John R]

OK, so this is a fairly standard procedure then. You were caught without a valid ticket, as your railcard had expired, and you have been referred for prosecution. But if you cooperate, and reply, apologise for the oversight, (hopefully say that you have now bought a new railcard, and send a copy), promise to be more careful in future and ask very nicely if they will consider an out of court settlement in lieu of prosecution you should in due course be offered one.

Be aware though that they will likely review your online account if it was an e-ticket, and look for any other tickets bought since your railcard expired. They will build the costs of those replacement tickets into any settlement offered.

 

[AlterEgo]

Your railcard discount saved you only 50p? Where was the ticket valid from and to? And where were you stopped?

 

[Fastcar1fast7]

Your railcard discount saved you only 50p? Where was the ticket valid from and to? And where were you stopped?

Staines to earley return from 8/9am and return 3/4pm at the time it was a 50p difference. Possibly changed now

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Thursday at 15:11 ==

OK, so this is a fairly standard procedure then. You were caught without a valid ticket, as your railcard had expired, and you have been referred for prosecution. But if you cooperate, and reply, apologise for the oversight, (hopefully say that you have now bought a new railcard, and send a copy), promise to be more careful in future and ask very nicely if they will consider an out of court settlement in lieu of prosecution you should in due course be offered one.

Be aware though that they will likely review your online account if it was an e-ticket, and look for any other tickets bought since your railcard expired. They will build the costs of those replacement tickets into any settlement offered.

they already have, i was emailed a month ago about my ticket history.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Thursday at 15:11 ==

Apologise, acknowledge your error and ask for the opportunity to settle the matter without court action. And if you have bought a new railcard now, mention that as well.

Alright, any sort of professional format i should use? and should i return this letter with the post office or only email?

 

[methecooldude]

Your railcard discount saved you only 50p? Where was the ticket valid from and to? And where were you stopped?

Minimum fare I would guess

 

[Fastcar1fast7]

So i wrote this up, please let me know if its good and what i should change or add or take out.


Dear South Western Railway Prosecutions,

I am writing this in regards to the letter i have received on the 26th of June 2025.

I would like to start off with my sincere apologies for my act of purchasing an invalid ticket. I take full responsibility for this action and how it affects the honest customers who pay and the rail staff. I am absolutely willing to cover the full costs of the invalid ticket and journey i have made along with others that i have made on my expired railcard and would like to cover all my outstanding costs and to settle out of court. I will greatly appreciate this.

I have since then bought a new 16-25 Railcard on the day i was stopped by the member of staff, instantly on the train after i spoke with them. I have also made a calendar reminder for when it expires next year and i will also be sure to purchase the 3 year plan to be safe from any trouble like this again. (picture of new railcard)

I have learnt a big lesson from this poor mistake from me to be less forgetful and be more organised with my railcard and train travel. It has been making me worried and anxious over these past few months and is absolutely a big lesson i have learnt in my life.

It is my first time being caught in a situation like this and i will make sure its my last. I do not want to ruin my future/career before it has even started from a careless mistake like this. I hope you can understand.

Kind Regards,

(my name)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Thursday at 15:31 ==

is it also worth mentioning i am a student with no income? now that i think about it. Im not trying to guilt trip them but its an honest fact. Thought i would throw it out there. or maybe its too much writing.

 

[Haywain]

I am absolutely willing to cover the full costs of the invalid ticket and journey i have made along with others that i have made on my expired railcard and would like to cover all my outstanding costs and to settle out of court. I will greatly appreciate this.

I would move this to the end of the letter, to make it clear what result you are hoping to achieve...

It is my first time being caught in a situation like this and i will make sure its my last. I do not want to ruin my future/career before it has even started from a careless mistake like this. I hope you can understand.

And move this up to replace it. I think the letter will then have a better flow.

 

[Fastcar1fast7]

I would move this to the end of the letter, to make it clear what result you are hoping to achieve...

And move this up to replace it. I think the letter will then have a better flow.

Dear South Western Railway Prosecutions,

I am writing this in regards to the letter i have received on the 26th of June 2025.

I would like to start off with my sincere apologies for my act of purchasing an invalid ticket. I take full responsibility for this action and how it affects the honest customers who pay and the rail staff.

It is my first time being caught in a situation like this and i will make sure its my last. I do not want to ruin my future/career before it has even started from a careless mistake like this.

I have since then bought a new 16-25 Railcard on the day i was stopped by the member of staff, instantly on the train after i spoke with them. I have also made a calendar reminder for when it expires next year and i will also be sure to purchase the 3 year plan to be safe from any trouble like this again.

I have learnt a big lesson from this poor mistake from me to be less forgetful and be more organised with my railcard and train travel. It has been making me worried and anxious over these past few months and is absolutely a big lesson i have learnt in my life.

I am absolutely willing to cover the full costs of the invalid ticket and journey i have made along with others that i have made on my expired railcard and would like to cover all my outstanding costs and to settle out of court. I will greatly appreciate this.

Kind Regards,

(my name)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Thursday at 16:44 ==

Email has been sent, will update. Praying for settlement.