UserCyan
New Member
Hi there,
Firstly I’d like to say thank you to your responses and information on this forum, it has been really helpful for getting a better understanding and more information.
My partner and myself have both received a Notice of Intention to Prosecute from GTR, and are seeking advice on how best to respond. We would ideally like to settle this out of court, and would appreciate any advice or feedback.
Relevant info:
The stations* where you actually started & finished your journey
Start: Preston Park
End: London Blackfriars
The stations* where you changed trains (if applicable);
N/A
If you presented a ticket(s), the information* stated under "Ticket type", "From", "To", "Route", and any other relevant details;
Off-Peak Day Return x2 (third ticket bought in error not presented)
Preston Park to London Thameslink (return)
Thameslink Only
Details of any Railcard(s) held;
Network Railcard - unfortunately another issue is that one ticket was accidentally bought with a 26-30 railcard (I have a valid Network railcard). I also incorrectly bought a third ticket without a railcard, but I believe they took the details of the railcard ticket.
The revenue officer at the time mentioned this wasn’t a factor to be considered and the letter has not made mention of the accidental railcard offence. The one offence on the letter states: ‘Did enter a train for the purpose of travelling on the railway, upon inspection at East Croydon (ECR); did not produce a valid ticket entitling travel.’
Would that make any mention of the railcard irrelevant as all of the tickets were not valid? Further to this, would it potentially incriminate myself for a further offence if I mention the railcard?
When and where ticket(s) were purchased, including whether this was prior to the journey commencing;
Tickets were bought on train during the journey.
What happened in any encounter with railway staff;
We answered a few short questions with the revenue officers, and provided copies of our tickets and details. He thanked us for being cooperative and forthcoming with information.
Report
They are asking for a report of what happened on the day, and this is truthfully our view on the day and our first draft response:
First draft
‘Firstly, both myself and my partner would like to sincerely apologise for our mistake in the matter. We have both since learned of our error, and understand wholly that it is not valid to travel on a train with a ticket purchased on the train.
Our factual and honest point of view of what happened is as follows:
In DATE, we both left our house in Preston Park for a day out in London. While we know this isn’t a valid excuse, we were running late for our train to London. There are no gates at Preston Park and were in the process of buying our tickets on our phone, but being in a rush we absent-mindedly forgot to buy our tickets for the day - we again know this is no valid excuse, but this was an honest mistake.
Once we saw the revenue officers it jogged my memory to buy a ticket, so I bought the correct ticket from Preston Park to London Blackfriars, our final destination, as soon as I could.
It was here that the officer explained this ticket wouldn’t be valid as it was purchased on the train, which I was not aware was the rule - again an honest mistake.
I now understand why I have mistakenly travelled without a valid ticket and apologise for the mistake. We can categorically state that this will never happen again, we never intended at any time to evade paying the correct fare, and will ensure that all tickets purchased from now are valid and the correct fare.
We would like to not waste any more of your time here and are keen to settle the issue outside of court. We will gladly pay the outstanding fare and any of GTR’s administrative costs in dealing with the matter.
Here forthcoming.’
I am completely open to advice and opinions to reword if anything appears either informal, raises questions or appears incriminating, or seems irrelevant.
Having read quite a few blog posts, I am also aware that it may be best to not waste time with all of the details, and to simply apologies and ask to settle out of court, in which case do you think the below draft would be best for us both to use?:
Second draft
'Dear Fare Evasion Manager,
Thank you for allowing me to respond to the letter dated ____ with reference ______.
On DATE I was stopped by a revenue enforcement officer travelling from Preston Park to London Blackfriars, and failed to produce the correct ticket for the journey I had made.
I have no excuse for what I have done, and I’m deeply regretful. I have since taken time to reflect on my actions made, and I now realise the seriousness of this, and take full responsibility. I am very sorry for the inconvenience this has caused, and will ensure I purchase the correct tickets for any journeys made in the future, including using the railcard I own.
I would be very grateful if this could please be settled out of court, and if you could please give me the opportunity to pay the fare in full, along with any administration fees for pursuing this matter.
Your’s faithfully
Full Name'
If this draft seems better to use please advise.
Final questions, is it best for us to have the same response?
Thank you for any and all help in advance.
Firstly I’d like to say thank you to your responses and information on this forum, it has been really helpful for getting a better understanding and more information.
My partner and myself have both received a Notice of Intention to Prosecute from GTR, and are seeking advice on how best to respond. We would ideally like to settle this out of court, and would appreciate any advice or feedback.
Relevant info:
The stations* where you actually started & finished your journey
Start: Preston Park
End: London Blackfriars
The stations* where you changed trains (if applicable);
N/A
If you presented a ticket(s), the information* stated under "Ticket type", "From", "To", "Route", and any other relevant details;
Off-Peak Day Return x2 (third ticket bought in error not presented)
Preston Park to London Thameslink (return)
Thameslink Only
Details of any Railcard(s) held;
Network Railcard - unfortunately another issue is that one ticket was accidentally bought with a 26-30 railcard (I have a valid Network railcard). I also incorrectly bought a third ticket without a railcard, but I believe they took the details of the railcard ticket.
The revenue officer at the time mentioned this wasn’t a factor to be considered and the letter has not made mention of the accidental railcard offence. The one offence on the letter states: ‘Did enter a train for the purpose of travelling on the railway, upon inspection at East Croydon (ECR); did not produce a valid ticket entitling travel.’
Would that make any mention of the railcard irrelevant as all of the tickets were not valid? Further to this, would it potentially incriminate myself for a further offence if I mention the railcard?
When and where ticket(s) were purchased, including whether this was prior to the journey commencing;
Tickets were bought on train during the journey.
What happened in any encounter with railway staff;
We answered a few short questions with the revenue officers, and provided copies of our tickets and details. He thanked us for being cooperative and forthcoming with information.
Report
They are asking for a report of what happened on the day, and this is truthfully our view on the day and our first draft response:
First draft
‘Firstly, both myself and my partner would like to sincerely apologise for our mistake in the matter. We have both since learned of our error, and understand wholly that it is not valid to travel on a train with a ticket purchased on the train.
Our factual and honest point of view of what happened is as follows:
In DATE, we both left our house in Preston Park for a day out in London. While we know this isn’t a valid excuse, we were running late for our train to London. There are no gates at Preston Park and were in the process of buying our tickets on our phone, but being in a rush we absent-mindedly forgot to buy our tickets for the day - we again know this is no valid excuse, but this was an honest mistake.
Once we saw the revenue officers it jogged my memory to buy a ticket, so I bought the correct ticket from Preston Park to London Blackfriars, our final destination, as soon as I could.
It was here that the officer explained this ticket wouldn’t be valid as it was purchased on the train, which I was not aware was the rule - again an honest mistake.
I now understand why I have mistakenly travelled without a valid ticket and apologise for the mistake. We can categorically state that this will never happen again, we never intended at any time to evade paying the correct fare, and will ensure that all tickets purchased from now are valid and the correct fare.
We would like to not waste any more of your time here and are keen to settle the issue outside of court. We will gladly pay the outstanding fare and any of GTR’s administrative costs in dealing with the matter.
Here forthcoming.’
I am completely open to advice and opinions to reword if anything appears either informal, raises questions or appears incriminating, or seems irrelevant.
Having read quite a few blog posts, I am also aware that it may be best to not waste time with all of the details, and to simply apologies and ask to settle out of court, in which case do you think the below draft would be best for us both to use?:
Second draft
'Dear Fare Evasion Manager,
Thank you for allowing me to respond to the letter dated ____ with reference ______.
On DATE I was stopped by a revenue enforcement officer travelling from Preston Park to London Blackfriars, and failed to produce the correct ticket for the journey I had made.
I have no excuse for what I have done, and I’m deeply regretful. I have since taken time to reflect on my actions made, and I now realise the seriousness of this, and take full responsibility. I am very sorry for the inconvenience this has caused, and will ensure I purchase the correct tickets for any journeys made in the future, including using the railcard I own.
I would be very grateful if this could please be settled out of court, and if you could please give me the opportunity to pay the fare in full, along with any administration fees for pursuing this matter.
Your’s faithfully
Full Name'
If this draft seems better to use please advise.
Final questions, is it best for us to have the same response?
Thank you for any and all help in advance.