SWR MG11

[JAKING]

Hi, I got an MG11 because I travelled without a railcard. It's my mistake. I regret it. Oh well. I don't know. I wish I hadn't. It was a day return ticket (and I used a 16-25 railcard without having one) which saved me £2 stupidly...I'm anxious. Does anyone know how long it'll take for me to get a letter in the post...? This was a SWR train.

And what's the likely outcome?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Welcome to the forum!

It might take some time for the letter to arrive. Assume you've provided a correct address.

What's the likely outcome? You may get the opportunity to settle "out of court" assuming this was a one-time only offence.

It should be noted that the train operating company's investigation team is very probably currently investigating your ticket purchasing history to see if there are any other instances of you having inappropriately claimed a railcard discount.

Assuming it was a one-off, you'll quite possibly (but not definitely) be able to come to some sort of "out of court" settlement which has quite often meant (for someone in a similar position to yourself) having to pay a (low) three figure sum to the train operating company to cover their investigation expenses, plus the correct cost of the ticket that you should have bought on the day.

The alternative approach that they may adopt is that you may be prosecuted and taken to court. This is likely to be a more costly outcome for you.

Does that help any?

Others on here may have differing general or specific advice.

 

[Hadders]

Welcome tot he forum!

Here's the advice I normally give to people who come here seeking our advice in circumstances similar to yours.

You are likely to receive a letter from the train company, or an investigation company acting on their behalf, stating that have received a report, are considering prosecuting you and asking for your version of events. It is important that you engage with and reply to this letter. The letter will normally take a few weeks to arrive but can take up to six months. You might want to include the following in your reply:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the train company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter

Make sure your reply is short and concise, don't give a sob story - they've heard it all before. Most train companies are usually prepared to offer an administrative settlement (commonly known as an out of court settlement) for people who engage with the process and who haven't come to their attention before. There is no guarantee of this and the train company would be well within their rights to prosecute you in the magistrates court.

If you are offered a settlement the amount varies depending on the train company and circumstances but tend to be a few hundred pounds plus the outstanding fare. An out of court settlement might appear to be a fine, but it isn't and you won't have a criminal record as a result of accepting one.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

It might take some time for the letter to arrive.

'Some time' can be as long as a little more than six months. That's because the railway have six months to decide whether to prosecute - and then the court can take a few weeks to write to you to tell you the hearing date, or whether the Single Justice Procedure will be used.

 

[WesternLancer]

And further to post #4 you need to make sure you look out for and can get post from the address you gave them for this sort of period (eg say 7 months from now) - so if you move address make the necessary arrangements to have your post forwarded to you (see Royal Mail website). Make sure you respond to that letter or risk is case gets escalated to court and your chances to resolve it will be much more difficult.

Chances are you will hear from them within maybe about 8 weeks however.

Other advice
It may be wise for you to now buy a railcard ASAP, ie before you get any letter from them - this will show your good intention not to evade again and you can mention it in your reply to the letter you get as evidence of such good intentions (eg 'I have learned from my error of judgment and immediately bought a railcard to ensure my rail tickets are in order in future').

 

[JAKING]

Ok, thank you so much for your replies. I'm just wondering how you know this - is it something you've gone through yourself or just heard.

:/

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Ok, thank you so much for your replies. I'm just wondering how you know this - is it something you've gone through yourself or just heard.

We've had any number of similar queries on here, lots of folk getting caught claiming a railcard discount on their tickets but with no valid railcard held.

 

[JAKING]

Thank you. :/