contigo55
Member
Good evening everyone,
On March 11th, I received a notice of intention to prosecute (see attachment) from the Fare Evasion Manager at Govia Thameslink Railway. This is regarding an incident in late January in which I was rightly stopped and caught using a Blackfriars to Farringdon eticket to travel all the way from Cookham to Farringdon.
I accept full responsibility for my actions and have no excuses. Its safe to say that I will certainly be paying for full tickets from now on. I wish to maximise my chances of settling this matter without court action and a criminal record, and am prepared to pay fees.
I am ashamed to admit that this isn't the first occasion I have evaded a fare. I have been doing this a number of times since October 2023, and am happy to admit this to them. However, based on their letter, I am not sure if I should/need to admit this in my response (if I want to settle without going to court). Since I was caught in late January, I have paid in full for all travel. The only discrepancy is that one morning in February I was unable to print my full ticket at Cookham as the train departed early - when I arrived at Farringdon I went straight to a staff member to ask if I could print the ticket out there but he booked me onto the system.
Would anyone with experience in this community be able to offer some advice and proof read my reply? I would be immensely grateful.
All the best,
Contigo55
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Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to respond to your letter from the 11th March 2024 (reference number GTREMG...).
On the morning of XX the XX of January, I was rightly stopped by a Revenue Inspection Officer at Farringdon Station and was unable to produce a valid ticket for my travel.
I offer no excuse for the above. I made a shortsighted decision which, in hindsight, was blatantly unethical and a disservice to the hard working railway staff and other passengers who pay in full.
I rely on these rail services. Without them, I would be stuck working at home five days a week, unable to foster professional relationships through in-person work. This is critical for me as a young person who has just begun their career and has struggled with loneliness in the past.
I am ashamed of the choice I made and accept full responsibility for my actions. Having reflected on the issue of fare evasion, I now recognise the damaging impact it has on the rail network. It is not something I want to be associated with. Instead, I wish to contribute to the upkeep of the rail network, support the hard working staff and help ensure the benefits of a well-functioning public transport system. Since the XX of January, I have only purchased full rail tickets for my travel from Cookham to Farringdon, and I promise to continue to do so.
I would be grateful for the opportunity to settle my misconduct outside of court. I wish to make amends by paying any fees you deem appropriate; the full, correct fare and any administrative costs I have created.
Finally, I apologise for the inconvenience I have caused, and can assure you that I will never repeat this wrongdoing.
Yours faithfully,
XX
P.S. - I am moving house from the 22nd of March. I wish to cooperate, so from that date, please send any mail correspondence to my new address:
*Insert new address*
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On March 11th, I received a notice of intention to prosecute (see attachment) from the Fare Evasion Manager at Govia Thameslink Railway. This is regarding an incident in late January in which I was rightly stopped and caught using a Blackfriars to Farringdon eticket to travel all the way from Cookham to Farringdon.
I accept full responsibility for my actions and have no excuses. Its safe to say that I will certainly be paying for full tickets from now on. I wish to maximise my chances of settling this matter without court action and a criminal record, and am prepared to pay fees.
I am ashamed to admit that this isn't the first occasion I have evaded a fare. I have been doing this a number of times since October 2023, and am happy to admit this to them. However, based on their letter, I am not sure if I should/need to admit this in my response (if I want to settle without going to court). Since I was caught in late January, I have paid in full for all travel. The only discrepancy is that one morning in February I was unable to print my full ticket at Cookham as the train departed early - when I arrived at Farringdon I went straight to a staff member to ask if I could print the ticket out there but he booked me onto the system.
Would anyone with experience in this community be able to offer some advice and proof read my reply? I would be immensely grateful.
All the best,
Contigo55
------------------------------------
Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to respond to your letter from the 11th March 2024 (reference number GTREMG...).
On the morning of XX the XX of January, I was rightly stopped by a Revenue Inspection Officer at Farringdon Station and was unable to produce a valid ticket for my travel.
I offer no excuse for the above. I made a shortsighted decision which, in hindsight, was blatantly unethical and a disservice to the hard working railway staff and other passengers who pay in full.
I rely on these rail services. Without them, I would be stuck working at home five days a week, unable to foster professional relationships through in-person work. This is critical for me as a young person who has just begun their career and has struggled with loneliness in the past.
I am ashamed of the choice I made and accept full responsibility for my actions. Having reflected on the issue of fare evasion, I now recognise the damaging impact it has on the rail network. It is not something I want to be associated with. Instead, I wish to contribute to the upkeep of the rail network, support the hard working staff and help ensure the benefits of a well-functioning public transport system. Since the XX of January, I have only purchased full rail tickets for my travel from Cookham to Farringdon, and I promise to continue to do so.
I would be grateful for the opportunity to settle my misconduct outside of court. I wish to make amends by paying any fees you deem appropriate; the full, correct fare and any administrative costs I have created.
Finally, I apologise for the inconvenience I have caused, and can assure you that I will never repeat this wrongdoing.
Yours faithfully,
XX
P.S. - I am moving house from the 22nd of March. I wish to cooperate, so from that date, please send any mail correspondence to my new address:
*Insert new address*
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