Northern Rail Caught me attempting to leave without payment

[Tommey]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, and really wish I wasn't in this situation. Basically I got caught leaving a station on Northern Rail without a ticket. I don't really have a good enough excuse and today I received the letter from the Debt Recovery and Prosecutions Unit, for both RoRA and Railway Byelaws.
I was wondering if anyone would be willing to review my response.

I am really sorry for bothering you guys, and for getting myself into this stupid situation.
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Basically, I was at a major station and saw my train arriving. Without much thought I ran to the train and boarded without a ticket. Stupidest thing I have ever done.

 

[bb21]

Without knowing the specifics, all I can say is be honest in your reply and express regret that you made such a mistake. Promise that it won't happen again and offer to pay their costs.

 

[Tommey]

Thanks bb21. To be honest, there really isn't more specific information. Just stupidly running onto the train, to catch it before it left. I don't have much of a defensable excuse.

 

[island]

Northern generally will settle without a prosecution if you have not come to their attention before, on payment of a £80 administrative penalty plus the fare avoided.

 

[Tommey]

Thanks island. Do you think it is worth mentioning that it is only the second time I have travelled on Northern Rail, and on my first time there was a train conductor? I don't want to come across as a guy full of excuses.

 

[michael769]

No it's not relevant.

 

[Tommey]

Is it worth mentioning that I'm from the Midlands. Or am I making more irrelevant points? I think I might be making a series of silly excuses!

 

[GadgetMan]

Thanks island. Do you think it is worth mentioning that it is only the second time I have travelled on Northern Rail, and on my first time there was a train conductor? I don't want to come across as a guy full of excuses.

No, because this suggests you probably boarded the train without a ticket last time too and only paid when the Conductor came round.

Is it worth mentioning that I'm from the Midlands. Or am I making more irrelevant points? I think I might be making a series of silly excuses!

Nope. Doesn't matter where you are from, the requirement to buy before boarding applies regardless of address. And depending on where in the Midlands you are from you probably travel on East Midlands Trains or London Midland services both of which openly advertise their Penalty Fare scheme and clearly send out the Buy Before boarding message.

 

[Tommey]

Thanks guys. I've taken your comments onboard and generated a very short response, which covers an apoloy, brief explanation of the events, another apology along with promising not to do it again, and then another apology!

Thanks guys.

 

[Darandio]

Thanks guys. I've taken your comments onboard and generated a very short response, which covers an apoloy, brief explanation of the events, another apology along with promising not to do it again, and then another apology!

Thanks guys.

Does it offer them anything though, or is it just apologies? They are unlikely to just accept the apologies and leave it at that!

 

[Tommey]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I am willing to pay compensation for admin, fares and a penalty. And I promised never to do it again. I also acknowledge that I could get a criminal record.

 

[Nick W]

Was there a ticket office/ticket machine at the destination station?

This may affect which crime you are guilty of, with one being of greater seriousness than the other.

 

[Tommey]

Yes, there was a ticket office at both the originating station and the destination station.

 

[Nick W]

Yes, there was a ticket office at both the originating station and the destination station.

I suspect you've already incriminated yourself for the greater offence then.

As others have said, you'll hopefully be offered to settle the offence for £80 and not receive a criminal record.