Fare evasion intended prosecution

[txanna]

Hi everyone, please help!
I recently received this letter for Internet prosecution and I am hoping to settle out of court. This is the first time I’ve been caught on Govia but not the first time that I have avoided paying the full fare although this time I did buy a physical ticket so I’m not sure if they are aware of my Trainline history. Please let me know the best way to settle it out of court and if you need any more information.
Thanks

 

[Haywain]

Please let me know the best way to settle it out of court and if you need any more information.

The best way to settle the matter is to write a letter apologising for what you have been caught doing and politley asking if GTR will agree to settle the matter without court action. However, if you can provide a little more detail about what you have done and the circumstances of being caught, we may be able to provide more detailed advice.

 

[txanna]

It was a short ticket offence it was at peak time so I bought this due to the high prices

It was a short ticket offence it was at peak time so I bought this due to the high prices. I lied to the inspector and said that I was intended to go to that station but got on the wrong train. I’ve done it many times before but never been caught on Trainline but this specific day I bought a Paper ticket

Should I post a draft of my response here?

 

[Haywain]

I lied to the inspector and said that I was intended to go to that station but got on the wrong train.

I think it's clear that they didn't believe that.

Should I post a draft of my response here?

If you do we will help to ensure that you have the right sort of wording.

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

Where was ticket purchased from on the day you were caught? It is important to know this to advise on the likelihood of GTR researching your online ticket purchasing account.

I suggest a short concise reply mentioning:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident
- That you are keen 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

GTR are highly likely to offer you an out of court settlement. Expect to have to pay the fare avoided at the full Anytime rate, with no credit for the invalid ticket you purchased. In addition you will need to pay an admin fee, typically £150. GTR only mention the incident on the day you were caught so I would not mention and previous occasions of orregular tickets, although be aware that they might contact you in the future about other irregularities.

Post a copy of your draft reply in this thread and forum members will proof read it for you.

 

[txanna]

Thank you. It was purchased at Luton.
Draft:
To whom it may concern,



I am writing in response to your letter dated, regarding the alleged fare evasion incident that took place on Wednesday 02 Oct 2024



Id like to begin by sincerely apologising for my actions. On the day in question, due to poor judgment I failed to purchase the correct ticket for my journey . This was an oversight on my part, and I deeply regret the error



I have since done my research and I fully acknowledge the importance of following fare regulations and the impact fare evasion has on the railway industry. I have since taken steps to ensure that such a situation does not arise in the future.



To resolve this matter amicably and avoid further escalation, I am keen to pay any outstanding fares, administrative fees, or reasonable penalty as deemed appropriate. I kindly request that you consider allowing me to settle this matter out of court.



Thank you for taking the time to consider my response. Please let me know if there are any further actions I need to take. I look forward to your reply and hope for a positive resolutiono.



Yours sincerely,

 

[John R]

Your second paragraph is contradictory. You say it was poor judgment, but then that it was an oversight (which means unintentional). Both can’t be true, and given what you have said I would suggest that oversight is incorrect.

Also, you say you have taken steps to ensure it won’t happen in future, but don’t say what steps.

 

[antharro]

Ok. This does need some work. My comments are in bold, italics or strikethrough.


To whom it may concern, Dear Fare Evasion Manager,

I am writing in response to your letter dated date, regarding the alleged fare evasion incident that took place on Wednesday 02 Oct 2024.

Id I would like to begin by sincerely apologising for my actions. On the day in question, due to poor judgement I failed to purchase the correct ticket for my journey. This was an oversight on my part, and I deeply regret the error. <--- See John R's comment; is it an oversight or poor judgement?

I have since done my research and I fully acknowledge the importance of following fare regulations and the impact fare evasion has on the railway industry. I have since taken steps to ensure that such a situation does not arise in the future. <--- As per John R, how, what steps?

To resolve this matter amicably and avoid further escalation, I am keen to pay any outstanding fares, administrative fees, or reasonable penalty as deemed appropriate. I kindly request that would be grateful if you would consider allowing me to settle this matter out of court.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my response. Please let me know if there are any further actions I need to take. I look forward to your reply and hope for a positive resolutiono.

Yours sincerely,



In order:

1) You know the title of the person you're writing to - use it.
2) Don't forget the date.
3) It should be "I'd" not "Id", but "I would" is more formal and more appropriate.
4) See John R's comments and edit accordingly.
5) Again as per John R, how and what steps have you taken?
6) Whether the penalty is "reasonable" doesn't need to be mentioned; it will be what it is.
7) "would be grateful" reads a little more diplomatically than "kindly request that".
8) Added "would"
9) Typo, extra "o" on "resolution".

 

[txanna]

Ok. This does need some work. My comments are in bold, italics or strikethrough.


To whom it may concern, Dear Fare Evasion Manager,

I am writing in response to your letter dated date, regarding the alleged fare evasion incident that took place on Wednesday 02 Oct 2024.

Id I would like to begin by sincerely apologising for my actions. On the day in question, due to poor judgement I failed to purchase the correct ticket for my journey. This was an oversight on my part, and I deeply regret the error. <--- See John R's comment; is it an oversight or poor judgement?

I have since done my research and I fully acknowledge the importance of following fare regulations and the impact fare evasion has on the railway industry. I have since taken steps to ensure that such a situation does not arise in the future. <--- As per John R, how, what steps?

To resolve this matter amicably and avoid further escalation, I am keen to pay any outstanding fares, administrative fees, or reasonable penalty as deemed appropriate. I kindly request that would be grateful if you would consider allowing me to settle this matter out of court.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my response. Please let me know if there are any further actions I need to take. I look forward to your reply and hope for a positive resolutiono.

Yours sincerely,



In order:

1) You know the title of the person you're writing to - use it.
2) Don't forget the date.
3) It should be "I'd" not "Id", but "I would" is more formal and more appropriate.
4) See John R's comments and edit accordingly.
5) Again as per John R, how and what steps have you taken?
6) Whether the penalty is "reasonable" doesn't need to be mentioned; it will be what it is.
7) "would be grateful" reads a little more diplomatically than "kindly request that".
8) Added "would"
9) Typo, extra "o" on "resolution".

Thank you for your help please see my revised version


Dear the Fare Evasion Manager,
I am writing in response to your letter dated 31st December 2024, regarding the fare evasion incident that took place on Wednesday, 2 October 2024.



I would like to begin by sincerely apologising for my actions. On the day in question, I failed to purchase the correct ticket for my journey. This was a result of poor judgment, and I take full responsibility for my mistake. I deeply regret the error and any inconvenience caused.



Since the incident, I have taken steps to ensure that such a situation does not arise again. Specifically, ensuring I board the correct train at the correct time always with the appropriate ticket , and I have familiarised myself with the rules and regulations regarding ticketing for all future journeys.



I fully acknowledge the importance of adhering to fare regulations and the wider impact that fare evasion has on the railway industry. I am keen to resolve this matter amicably and avoid further escalation. To that end, I would be grateful if you would consider allowing me to settle this matter by paying any outstanding fares, administrative fees, or penalties as appropriate.



Thank you for taking the time to consider my response. Please let me know if there are any further actions required from me. I look forward to your reply and hope for a positive resolution.



Yours sincerely,

 

[tixy]

and I take full responsibility for my mistake. I deeply regret the error and any inconvenience caused

Change error to my actions.

 

[30907]

Change error to my actions.

...and don't call it a mistake.

 

[antharro]

I agree with the spirit of the two posts above, but I'm not sure the amendments would read well. Having "for my actions" twice doesn't read well to me. This should be fixable with a little rephrasing. How about:

On the day in question, I failed to purchase the correct ticket for my journey. This was a result of poor judgment, which I deeply regret and take responsibility for. I would like to offer my sincere apologies for my actions and any convenience caused.

Apart from that, I think your letter is pretty much there. As you're sending it by post, send it recorded to make there's a record of it getting there!

 

[txanna]

Thank you everyone.
This is the final draft please let me know what you think
To the Fare Evasion Manager,



I am writing in response to your letter dated 31st December 2024, regarding the fare evasion incident that took place on Wednesday, 2 October 2024.





I would like to begin by sincerely apologising for my actions. On the day in question, I failed to purchase the correct ticket for my journey. This was a result of poor judgment, which I deeply regret and take responsibility for. I would like to offer my sincere apologies for my actions and any inconvenience caused.



Since the incident, I have taken steps to ensure that such a situation does not arise again. Specifically, ensuring I board the correct train at the correct time always with the appropriate ticket , and I have familiarised myself with the rules and regulations regarding ticketing for all future journeys.



I fully acknowledge the importance of adhering to fare regulations and the wider impact that fare evasion has on the railway industry. I am keen to resolve this matter amicably and avoid further escalation. To that end, I would be grateful if you would consider allowing me to settle this matter by paying any outstanding fares, administrative fees, or penalties as appropriate.



Thank you for taking the time to consider my response. Please let me know if there are any further actions required from me. I look forward to your reply and hope for a positive resolution.



Yours sincerely,

Or is this better…
To the Fare Evasion Manager,



I am writing in response to your letter dated 31st December 2024, regarding the fare evasion incident that occurred on Wednesday, 2 October 2024.



I would like to sincerely apologise for failing to purchase the correct ticket for my journey that day. This lapse in judgment was entirely my responsibility, and I deeply regret my actions and any inconvenience caused.



Since the incident, I have taken steps to ensure that this does not happen again. I now make it a priority to verify that I have the correct ticket for the appropriate train and have familiarised myself with all relevant ticketing rules and regulations.



I fully acknowledge the importance of complying with fare regulations and understand the wider impact fare evasion has on the railway industry. I am eager to resolve this matter amicably and avoid further escalation. To that end, I respectfully request the opportunity to settle this matter by paying any outstanding fares, administrative fees, or penalties as required.



Thank you for taking the time to consider my response. Please let me know if any further actions are required on my part. I hope for a positive resolution to this matter.



Yours sincerely,

 

[island]

Yours sincerely,

The appropriate valediction to a letter not addressed to a named person is "Yours faithfully".

 

[notmyrealname]

I would add their reference number at the top of your letter so they can find the file easily. I put that as a separate line after Dear xxx.

 

[txanna]

Thanks will do, I’ve put into responses please could you let me know which ones better

 

[30907]

Thanks will do, I’ve put into responses please could you let me know which ones better

The second.

 

[Hadders]

I agree the second is best. One comment - I would say 'I wondered if it would be possible to settle this matter....' rather than 'I respectfully request...'

 

[txanna]

Thanks I’ll update everyone once I get a response

 

[moyy]

Thanks I’ll update everyone once I get a response

Hi, have you gotten a response? How did it go? I’m in a similar situation

 

[Titfield]

Hi, have you gotten a response? How did it go? I’m in a similar situation

Please create your own thread. Forum policy is one issue: one thread. This is to avoid confusion and ensures forum members give the advice applicable to the posters exact circumstances. Thank you.

 

[txanna]

Please create your own thread. Forum policy is one issue: one thread. This is to avoid confusion and ensures forum members give the advice applicable to the posters exact circumstances. Thank you.

Hi, have you gotten a response? How did it go? I’m in a similar situation

60£ out of court settlement

 

[30907]

60£ out of court settlement

Thanks for the update.

It confirms previous reports that indicate GTR are ready to settle and charge a modest admin fee.