MG11 prosecution for expired Railcard

[samira]

Hi, I have bought multiple tickets in the last year using my expired railcard.

I have received the MG11 ticket this morning. I gave my old address as I was panicking as I have sent an email apologising my behaviour with the correct address.

Can you please let me know what I need to expect next and if Avanti Coast offers settlement? If I receive a criminal record, my like will end.

 

[Gloster]

Hi, I have bought multiple tickets in the last year using my expired railcard.

I have received the MG11 ticket this morning. I gave my old address as I was panicking as I have sent an email apologising my behaviour with the correct address.

Can you please let me know what I need to expect next and if Avanti Coast offers settlement? If I receive a criminal record, my like will end.

If you have received any paperwork, please post it in this thread. Please obscure your name, address and any other identifying details, such as reference numbers.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

@samira. Welcome to the forum. If you engage positively with the train company, reckon you should be able to negotiate a so-called "out of court settlement", and you'll very possibly then get asked to pay the full undiscounted Anytime Day Single fare for each and every occasion when you've bought/used incorrectly/inappropriately discounted tickets, plus there'll be a three figure sum added on top towards their investigation + admin costs.

Could be a tad expensive, but you'll have avoided ending up with a court conviction, which is the key thing. What's the typical journey you've been making since the railcard expired, and how many occasions are we talking about?

 

[samira]

Yes, typical journey. Quite short. I did for about 1 year and half - around 40 times. Is this considered one offence or more offences? @Mcr Warrior

 

[John R]

What journeys were involved? You are very likely to be “charged” the full Anytime Single fare for each journey (so two for a return journey), with no offset for what you originally paid.

The charge would actually be an out of court settlement offer which, along with an admin fee, you would have to pay quickly, typically within 14 days, to avoid them prosecuting you.

Any offer will depend on you responding in a very apologetic manner, and asking very nicely if they will consider an out of court settlement instead of taking you to court. If you draft a reply and post it here we can help ensure it looks ok. Best to avoid using AI though - we can spot letters so drafted easily, as they are so cringy and over the top.

 

[samira]

Have you used Manak Solicitors for fare evasion claims?

 

[antharro]

We don't recommend any particular solicitor here, but that name has been mentioned before with some success. However you're jumping the gun here. Solicitors aren't going to be able to do anything until you know what it is the train company are going after you for. So, wait for the letter. Once you've got it, post it up here with your personal details and any reference numbers redacted, and we'll be able to advise further.