Fare Dodging Govia Thameslink

[tsarukya]

Very ashamed and concerned as I've got caught fare dodging. Have got caught before and paid the fine - weirdly enough the guy implied I do it again as I could get away with it.

My history of dodging isnt in the hundreds but its still there on my trainline. I am truly ashamed of this specifically because I knew I shouldn't be doing it lets just say a few friends kept telling me to save money by doing so.

So now what can I expect prosecution or out of court? I am very worried as I'm very much a career invested guy whos just messed up bad. What is the typical procedure with thameslink like and likelihood of out of court vs prosecution given my account?

 

[30907]

Very ashamed and concerned as I've got caught fare dodging. Have got caught before and paid the fine - weirdly enough the guy implied I do it again as I could get away with it.

Do you mean you received a Penalty Fare which could be paid on the spot (or later), or a letter threatening prosecution?
If it's the first, as I assume, the matter is closed.
Otherwise, read on....

So now what can I expect prosecution or out of court? I am very worried as I'm very much a career invested guy whos just messed up bad. What is the typical procedure with thameslink like and likelihood of out of court vs prosecution given my account?

Normally, they will send a letter threatening prosecution and asking for your version of events. This will be your opportunity to reply apologetically (look at posts by @Hadders for suggestions) and ask whether they would consider offering an out of court settlement.
Normally, GTR are amenable to this, so long as you engage with them, but be aware that they will have investigated your travel history.
Wait for the letter, ad come back for more advice.

PS Welcome to the forum.
PPS And tell your friends how much it costs you!

 

[tsarukya]

Do you mean you received a Penalty Fare which could be paid on the spot (or later), or a letter threatening prosecution?
If it's the first, as I assume, the matter is closed.
Otherwise, read on....

Normally, they will send a letter threatening prosecution and asking for your version of events. This will be your opportunity to reply apologetically (look at posts by @Hadders for suggestions) and ask whether they would consider offering an out of court settlement.
Normally, GTR are amenable to this, so long as you engage with them, but be aware that they will have investigated your travel history.
Wait for the letter, ad come back for more advice.

PS Welcome to the forum.
PPS And tell your friends how much it costs you!

Thanks for the reply - the first time this happened I was given a fine which I paid immediately. This is was the second time and I'm due to receive a letter/email. When I reply I'll stress on being apologetic and say I can immediately pay the fine along with accumulated ticket fares.

If you've seen things like this before how possible is it that I can get an out of court settlement given the history? I am really eager to get this sorted out of court, pay it off and get this issue out of the way asap.

I've been incredibly stressed/anxious to say the least over the past day or so really dont want it to go to court. Just another comment - the officer said they will offer me a payment plan - could this imply they will not pursue prosecution?

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

If I'm reading this correctly you got caught and paid an out of court settlement (or a Penalty Fare, it doesn't really matter). You've now been caught again. To be blunt, many would say that this is the sort of case that should end up in court as you do not appear to have leanred your lesson.

Fortunately for you. GTR are normally one of the train companies that are more willing to settle matters out of court. When their initial letter arrives post a copy of it in this thread (with personal details redacted), along with your draft reply and forum members will proof read it for you.

If you are offered a settlement expect to have to pay the cost of all the fares avoided at the full Anytime rate, with no credit given for the invalid tickets you did purchase. You'll also need to pay an admin fee, typically around £150. You will need to be in a position to pay the settlement in full within a few days of it being offered - payment in installments isn't normally allowed.

 

[tsarukya]

Welcome to the forum!

If I'm reading this correctly you got caught and paid an out of court settlement (or a Penalty Fare, it doesn't really matter). You've now been caught again. To be blunt, many would say that this is the sort of case that should end up in court as you do not appear to have leanred your lesson.

Fortunately for you. GTR are normally one of the train companies that are more willing to settle matters out of court. When their initial letter arrives post a copy of it in this thread (with personal details redacted), along with your draft reply and forum members will proof read it for you.

If you are offered a settlement expect to have to pay the cost of all the fares avoided at the full Anytime rate, with no credit given for the invalid tickets you did purchase. You'll also need to pay an admin fee, typically around £150. You will need to be in a position to pay the settlement in full within a few days of it being offered - payment in installments isn't normally allowed.

Thanks for the reply. Understand everything you've said - when can I expect this letter / email to come? And also their reply once I get back to them? I know some people wait literally months

 

[Hadders]

It varies depending on their workload but with GTR 3-4 weeks seem about normal.

 

[tsarukya]

It varies depending on their workload but with GTR 3-4 weeks seem about normal.

is it always a letter or do they send emails? I'm out of the country for a couple weeks at the end of september. Can get a family member to reply on my behalf but just frustrating.

 

[Hadders]

It'll be a letter.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Can get a family member to reply on my behalf but just frustrating.

If you are going to do that, the railway will want to know that the family member is acting on your behalf. So before you go away, write (and sign) a brief letter saying this: all it needs to say is something like

This letter is to confirm that I have authorised <name of family member> to act on my behalf in matters involving Govia Thameslink Railway.

<Your signature>
<Your name, clearly printed>

Then your family member can send this when they respond to the railway.

 

[tsarukya]

It'll be a letter.

Hi again,

So the letter finally came - kindly find it attached and my draft response below. Would sincerely appreciate if you could proof read it/make any edits.

Is there any implication from this letter whether this is being taken to court or they are willing to deal bilaterally?

Just another question, I recieved this in email form this morning and am eager to reply asap - would it be wiser to reply via email or sending in letter form?

"
Hi Team,



Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to respond to your letter.



First of all I would like to deeply and sincerely apologise for my mistake and accept the consequences. I understand how much money the railway companies lose due to fare evasion and that it is unacceptable to commit fare evasion. I have taken the necessary steps for this never to occur again — I have purchased correct train tickets for all journeys carried out since



As a recent graduate who is just starting his career, I understand the serious repercussions my mistake can have on my future career. I am therefore kindly asking you if we can proceed with an administrative settlement without the need for court action. I have learnt from my mistake and am keen to settle this matter by immediately paying any outstanding fees owed and compensating GTR for the time and administrative costs incurred by investigating the issue.



Again, I am deeply sorry for my mistake.



I hope you can look favourably on this request, and I look forward to your response."

 

[Skimpot flyer]

GTR’s letter says you ‘avoided fares on multiple dates’, so they’ve clearly looked at your online purchase history.
Only you will know how many instances they will have identified, but you could be facing paying the full Anytime Single fare for each and every journey made with invalid tickets.

 

[notmyrealname]

Hi. I'd also say you need to address the 'multiple dates' issue in your apology, as they've mentioned it.

I would start the letter Dear Sir or Madam, unless you have a name of a staff member. Then put their reference number in a separate line below.

And end with Yours faithfully unless you have a name, when it would be Yours sincerely;

 

[kathryn12345]

Hi again,

So the letter finally came - kindly find it attached and my draft response below. Would sincerely appreciate if you could proof read it/make any edits.

Is there any implication from this letter whether this is being taken to court or they are willing to deal bilaterally?

Just another question, I recieved this in email form this morning and am eager to reply asap - would it be wiser to reply via email or sending in letter form?

"
Hi Team,



Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to respond to your letter.



First of all I would like to deeply and sincerely apologise for my mistake and accept the consequences. I understand how much money the railway companies lose due to fare evasion and that it is unacceptable to commit fare evasion. I have taken the necessary steps for this never to occur again — I have purchased correct train tickets for all journeys carried out since



As a recent graduate who is just starting his career, I understand the serious repercussions my mistake can have on my future career. I am therefore kindly asking you if we can proceed with an administrative settlement without the need for court action. I have learnt from my mistake and am keen to settle this matter by immediately paying any outstanding fees owed and compensating GTR for the time and administrative costs incurred by investigating the issue.



Again, I am deeply sorry for my mistake.



I hope you can look favourably on this request, and I look forward to your response."

What was the outcome of this? Did they allow you to settle out of court?

 

[Hadders]

What was the outcome of this? Did they allow you to settle out of court?

This is an old thread and it’s unlikely that the OP will return to give us an update.

Please start your own thread if you’re need of assistance and we’ll be happy to assist. We only discuss one case in each thread to avoid confusion.