As a newcomer to London, I had a bit of a mishap on October 26th, 2023 when I was traveling from Stevenage to Kings Cross using Govia Thameslink railways. At the time, I purchased a ticket using an 18-25 railcard discount, mistakenly believing that it applied to anyone under 25 years of age. However, I am actually 25 years old and did not have the railcard with me. When the inspector at the gate asked to see my railcard, I told him I had one and was given a ticket to provide proof within 14 days, which unfortunately I was unable to do. As I have since moved out of my previous residence, I am unsure if any correspondence was sent to me. I would like to resolve this issue without involving the court system, and am hoping to find a way to contact Govia Thameslink railways to express my regret and offer to pay the fee.
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Help: how to contact govia thameslink to settle without involving court
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Welcome, (though I’m sure you’d rather not be here).
Others will be along to help with your specific question, but one point to bear in mind when drafting a reply is that the 16-25 railcard is a national railcard, so the comment “as a newcomer to London” is irrelevant, and not something you should cite as mitigation as to why you didn’t have a railcard.
It’s also a bit confusing. Are you saying you didn’t have your railcard with you, or that you didn’t possess one? As a 25 year old you were still entitled to have and use one, so again, unsure of the relevance of your age to the story.
Others will be along to help with your specific question, but one point to bear in mind when drafting a reply is that the 16-25 railcard is a national railcard, so the comment “as a newcomer to London” is irrelevant, and not something you should cite as mitigation as to why you didn’t have a railcard.
It’s also a bit confusing. Are you saying you didn’t have your railcard with you, or that you didn’t possess one? As a 25 year old you were still entitled to have and use one, so again, unsure of the relevance of your age to the story.
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Fawkes Cat
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Welcome to the forum!
If you look at what you were given, you'll see it has an address at the bottom. This also ties in with what it says on the Thameslink website at https://www.thameslinkrailway.com/travel-information/on-board/penalty-fares (and which I think is standard across all of Govia Thameslink Railway's (GTR's) brands)
It's quite possible that GTR have already written to you. So it's important to get in touch and explain that you have moved, and ask them to send you copies of anything that they have already sent. I think you can use the email address for that.
Mcr Warrior
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Railcard not ever held but a 16-25 railcard (discount - inappropriately claimed) presumably?
It was to imply I wasn't familiar with all the rules but yeah to put it simply. I didn't have a railcard but bought a ticket saying I did.
Yes!
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Welcome to the forum!
It’s highly likely that GTR will have written to you at the address you gave them, asking for your version of events about what happened before deciding how to proceed. Tad you haven’t responded it may well be the case that GTR have started to initiate court proceedings.
I suggest you contact GTR Prosecutions office as a matter of urgency, giving details of the case reference number and your new address. GTR are normally one of the more pragmatic train companies to deal with so hopefully you will be able to obtain a favourable outcome.
It’s highly likely that GTR will have written to you at the address you gave them, asking for your version of events about what happened before deciding how to proceed. Tad you haven’t responded it may well be the case that GTR have started to initiate court proceedings.
I suggest you contact GTR Prosecutions office as a matter of urgency, giving details of the case reference number and your new address. GTR are normally one of the more pragmatic train companies to deal with so hopefully you will be able to obtain a favourable outcome.
Do post a draft here if you wish - you need to be careful how you express that point, as your intentions are irrelevant and the ball is in their court: you have broken the law and you want GTR to consider offering to settle.
Plenty of examples of letters on here, some better than others!
Dear Govia Thameslink Railways,
I am writing to you today to express my sincere and deepest regret for an incident that occurred on October 26th, 2023, while travelling from Stevenage to Kings Cross. I realize that I made a serious mistake that resulted in fare evasion, and I fully accept responsibility for my actions.
On that day, I boarded the train using a 16-25 railcard discount, mistakenly believing that it applied to anyone under 25 years of age. However, I did not have the railcard with me at the time. I understand that this was a clear violation of your travel guidelines and that there is no excuse for my behavior.
I deeply regret my actions and am truly ashamed of my poor judgment. I understand the negative consequences of fare evasion, both in terms of the financial impact on your company and the unfair advantage it creates for me compared to other passengers who pay their fares correctly. My actions were unfair and inconsiderate, and I apologize for any inconvenience or upset caused.
From this incident, I have learned a valuable lesson about the importance of personal responsibility and following the rules. I understand that my actions impacted both the company and my fellow passengers, and I assure you that it will never happen again. In the future, I will always ensure that I have a fully valid ticket for every train journey and will adhere to all travel regulations.
To demonstrate my sincerity and desire to rectify this situation, I am eager to settle this matter without the need for further action. I am prepared to pay the full outstanding fare of my journey on October 26th, 2023, along with any associated administrative costs that your company has incurred in dealing with this matter.
I appreciate your time and consideration in reviewing my apology and offer of payment. I hope that you will accept my sincere remorse and allow me to resolve this issue without further consequence.
Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely,
what do you think i should change ?
Thanks in advance.
I would rephrase the third from last paragraph in line with what @30907 recommended.
What you are “prepared to pay” is irrelevant. You need to be clearly asking if they would be willing to offer an out of court settlement.
Likewise the use of “eager” - of course you are - who wouldn’t be. Phraseology such as “I would very much appreciate the opportunity” is more appropriate as it makes it clear the ball is not in your court.
What you are “prepared to pay” is irrelevant. You need to be clearly asking if they would be willing to offer an out of court settlement.
Likewise the use of “eager” - of course you are - who wouldn’t be. Phraseology such as “I would very much appreciate the opportunity” is more appropriate as it makes it clear the ball is not in your court.
This confusingly implies that the OP possessed "the" Railcard, just not with them at the time. This is not the case. The OP simply did not have a Railcard; and should say so.
I have a mini update for you all. After I sent an apology letter, asking to settle it out of court. I received the attached letter below. I have paid my dues and the case is closed now. Thank you all for your advice.
Attachments
Not sure how GTR Made that sum up. An Anytime Single Stevenage to Kings Cross is £17.50. It's as if they charged the equivalent of the discounted Penalty Fare sum of £50 plus the fare, plus £5 for luck! But, no worries, it's a massively cheaper outcome than if GTR had taken the OP to court.
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