WMT fare

[Raining123]

hello

I didn't purchase a full ticket for the journey I travelled, I was dropped off, jumped on the train and travelled from Kidderminster to Snow Hill, (I live between Kidderminster and Stourbridge stations) I bought my ticket very late in the journey from the Jewellery Quarter on the app, while on the train, as I was gassing to a fellow passenger. I have been caught short before and didn't give it much thought, usually when it’s announced “have your ticket for the barrier ready”, ahhh I didn’t get one. I was cautioned at snow hill which was distressing as I was experiencing of all things, a panic attack. I returned back to the station later on that morning to find the inspector and understand what happens next and it was kindly explained to me. I do fully accept all responsibility and more so since I have researched what my action meant!. My most useful stations when travelling into Birmingham (once a week on average) are Rowley Regis and The Hawthorns, but sometimes others are more appropriate depending on my day. I work in sales and travel to and from a mix stations in the UK where I habitually drive to free car parking rail stations and I'm back in my car quicker on to the next visit etc... I have read the forums and will of course be honest about this travel, I am overwhelmingly sorry and I have done nothing but cry at night for weeks and have needed to see a doctor. I am also a keen volunteer and part of my role is to uphold and encourage good morals and behaviour in young people, now I have read everything there is to read about fare evasion and “oh I’m here now I’ll pay from here”…..is never ever ok, I never considered the cost or impact to the rail company and this is equal to stealing. I lay awake thinking about my volunteering and how I will have to give it up and I just feel so sad to my soul. I have told my husband, but that is all, the shame is unbearable and I feel it’s only right that I suffer. I received my letter by email 2 days ago, which from reading on here it seems to be a standard WMT first letter asking me to present my case for travel on the particular day in question. I have drafted up a clear letter and checked in my app for any other occasions. I have travelled to and from the jewellery quarter 23 times since 2023 (when I came off paper tickets) now it’s not that I have never been there, I have, but honestly this tells me I should list all of these as incorrect late purchased tickets. I have finally reached the point of my message for help… I have no idea where I actually started these trips, for the vast majority I could make a good guess from my calendar, but surely they will need this as a certainty? The train starts in Worcester, now its not a route I travel from but my thoughts are that the starting point of the train in these instances would be the right place to ask them to calculate the charge from? I am hoping so much that I will be offered a settlement and I just want to give them everything they could possibly need in one go to conclude as I am really just existing and not enjoying my life. I really hope I can pay a punishable amount and start to pick myself up again, I will never do this again!. @Hadders I have found your replies to others clear and helpful and I know my letter to reply doesn’t need all this waffle, I just want to make sure I disclose everything in the right way to get the best outcome. To end in a final positive note, after reading advices on buying a season ticket to show commitment, I have done this and for the last 3 weeks on days where I have travelled, I’ve have had a fixed routine, and I can evidence that I have bought a flexible season ticket x8 from Stourbridge, which I expect that they will be happy to see. It’s quite nice, but less convenient in many ways however at the moment pressing “activate” then walking over the bridge to catch my train feels good and helps my mental health.

kindest of regards

 

[Puffing Devil]

I understand the stress this is giving you. To help, let's focus on the facts of your evasion.

Here's my summary of your situation:

• On a recent journey from Kidderminster to Snow Hill, you did not purchase a ticket until very late in the journey, from Jewellery Quarter station, using the app while on the train. You were cautioned at Snow Hill for this.
• You returned to the station later that day to speak with the inspector and understand the next steps.
• You fully accept responsibility for your actions.
• You habitually drive to free car parking rail stations for your sales job, typically using Rowley Regis and The Hawthorns for travel into Birmingham. You travel to Birmingham about once a week.
• You received a first letter from West Midlands Trains (WMT) via email two days ago, asking for your account of the incident.
• Upon reviewing your app, you found that since 2023, you have travelled to and from the Jewellery Quarter 23 times. You believe all of these journeys likely involved late or incorrect ticket purchases. You are unsure of the precise starting stations for most of these trips but are considering stating the train's origin (Worcester) as a potential starting point for calculation.
• You are hoping for a settlement and want to provide WMT with all necessary information promptly. To show commitment, you have purchased an 8-week flexible season ticket from Stourbridge and have been using it consistently for the past three weeks.

To help us move on, please post the email you have from WMT, with your details removed. We'll then be best placed to advise on how to phrase your reply.

 

[Raining123]

Thank you so very much and for so kindly summarising. I have typed it out and the email is as follows.

Dear Customer,

We have recently been handed a file relating to an incident on (Date June 2025) when approached by staff carrying out their revenue duties, you were asked to show your valid ticket you offered a ticket that was not valid for the journey you had completed, possibly committing short journey fraud.

You were interviewed under caution.

Further investigations into this matter have been carried out, including a review of the ticket records. It would appear, at this stage, that this may be a case of fraud. West Midlands Trains take travel fraud extremely seriously and is committed to prosecuting all cases of fare evasion to the full extent of the law. Travelling on the railway with the intent to avoid paying the full fare is an offence under the regulation of railways act 1889. Such an offence carries a maximum fine of £1000 and/or three months imprisonment and, in either case, a criminal record. It must also be considered whether this matter amounts to a much more serious offence under the Fraud Act 2006:

At this stage we would be grateful if you would provide any evidence to support the claim that none of the above legislation has been contravened to prevent further action being contemplated.

Please respond within 7 days from the date of this email so that we can determine next steps.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Investigator IDXXXXXXXX
Fraud and Investigations Manager

 

[Puffing Devil]

Here's a framework you can use to write back to WMT. Be aware that they may read this forum and tie any information you post back to your case.

Paragraph 1: Acknowledge and Address the Incident

• Start by thanking them for their email and clearly stating the date of their email.
• Immediately identify the specific incident they're referring to, including the date of travel and the stations involved (Kidderminster to Snow Hill).
• State directly that you are writing in response to this incident.

Paragraph 2: Accept Responsibility for the Specific Incident

• Clearly and unequivocally state that you fully accept responsibility for not having a valid ticket for your entire journey on that specific day.
• Briefly explain what happened regarding the ticket purchase (bought from Jewellery Quarter on the app while on the train), and acknowledge that this was incorrect for your whole journey.
• Confirm that you were cautioned at Snow Hill and that you returned to the station later that day to speak with an inspector to understand the process.

Paragraph 3: Express Remorse and Impact

• State that you deeply regret your actions on this occasion.
• Convey that this incident has caused you significant distress. This shows genuine remorse and helps to humanise your situation.

Paragraph 4: Propose a Settlement

• Clearly state that you hope to resolve this matter through an out-of-court settlement. This signals your intention to avoid court proceedings.
• Confirm your willingness to pay any outstanding fare for the journey in question and to cover their administration costs. This is a precise offer for the specific incident being investigated.
• Conclude by asking what further information or action they require from you to facilitate this resolution.

Do not mention the additional 23 trips to/from the Jewellery Quarter, or the purchase of the season ticket. Here's why this is crucial:

• Focus on the Specific Offence: WMT's letter specifically concerns the Kidderminster to Snow Hill journey, during which you were cautioned. By only addressing this, you keep the focus narrow and don't provide them with information they haven't explicitly requested or may not yet have evidence for.
• Avoid Admitting to Unproven Offences: You stated that WMT doesn't have evidence for those earlier trips, and WMR is now trying to gather evidence. Disclosing them now would be an admission that could be used against you, potentially leading to further demands for payment for those specific journeys, or even separate prosecutions. You are only obligated to respond to the particular allegations for which they present evidence for.
• The Season Ticket: While buying a season ticket shows good intent for the future, mentioning it could implicitly suggest that your past travel habits were not compliant. In a legal context, it's best to avoid any information that could be interpreted as an acknowledgement of previous evasion beyond the incident being investigated. Your future compliant travel is for your benefit, not for WMT to use as evidence of past wrongdoing.
• Burden of Proof: The burden of proof for any alleged offence lies with West Midlands Trains. Don't provide them with evidence to strengthen a case they may not even have or could not otherwise prove for those other trips.

Stick strictly to the incident they've raised. Your goal is to resolve this specific matter with a settlement and avoid further complications.

I'm sure others on the forum will be here soon to add to the above.

 

[Raining123]

Thank you so much, I really do appreciate your time and effort you have gone to help me this evening. I feel a little lighter to have a clear structure, I have been writing drafts for the last two days. I am struggling (and absolutely so should I be!) however your kindness at this time, has meant such a lot. Thank you.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Tuesday at 15:51 ==

hello,

I have had a reply, as below:

Thank you for your response.

When we receive a case, we investigate all the historic data on your Trainline account under your name which you are held accountable for.

On further investigation into your account, we have identified several transactions that have been flagged as possible fraudulent activity.

Can you please provide the following evidence so we can full assess your case and remove any legitimate tickets from our investigation:

* Evidence of your home address and home station to verify the information given during your interview under caution.

Please provide all relevant evidence within the next 7 days from the date of this email with the requested information so that we can determine next steps.

We are willing to work with you to settle the matter out of court but to do this we require your full cooperation.

My issue is I dont really have a “home” station, next week for example I have some tickets from sandwell and Dudley as it’s more convenient to travel to London and if I traveled starting more locally I would be rushed and need to change, I start with travel the following week in Wiltshire as my base will be different but I need to do some longer distances, ideal for rail. I did pick the flex season ticket for June for Birmingham runs with what I suppose I have chosen as a home station now, so I could just say that and although less convenient it worked out ok and the routine was nice, I’m waffling again. I don’t know how to phrase it without sounding like I have no idea where I’ll be at any given moment in time which to be quite honest isnt to far from the truth. I have been distraught and unwell (and so I should be) however how shall I explain it so I am nice clear for them? I think the letter is nice they are clearly just trying to establish what I owe and then add associated fines and cost, I am so grateful. I really need to get some sleep it’s been an awful time and I know I deserve it, thank you for your help, I am very grateful.

kindest of regards