WMR fare evasion letter

[VeeS]

Hi everyone, I am really hoping you can help me.
In October, I was caught short faring at Birmingham Snow Hill. I gave honest details and have today received my letter, which I have been expecting and have attached.
The lady who spoke to me asked if short faring was normal for me and I answered no, but I had been using my trainline account for a while to get tickets further along the line than I should have as well as a couple of refunds. I honestly feel awful about this, and have no excuse apart from just not understanding the impact this would have on the company. I have bought tickets since then and there is a trail of this in my trainline account.
What I need help with, pretty quickly, is writing the response and how I can ensure I do everything I can to get this as a settlement, and not a prosecution.
The letter was posted 9th November but has only just arrived, so I have until Wednesday to reply and I am panicking.
Thank you for any help you can give!

 

[ChewChewTrain]

Experts will be along, possibly not until Monday in some cases, but I think the “couple of refunds” may be more of a problem for you. It’s not unknown for people to get convicted of fraud for that, and you really, really want to avoid such a thing on your record. If it really is only a couple, though, you’ll probably be able to keep it out of court.

People will probably want further details from you, but I’ll leave it to them to specify precisely what. In the meantime, try to take your mind off this, though I know that’s easier said than done.

 

[VeeS]

Thank you for your reply, I am trying to keep calm about this but the deadline is really not helping.

I have drafted a response, which I know will need some amending but any replies and advise on this and what else I need to include would be very very appreciated.



Dear whom it may concern,

I am writing to you in response to the letter I received dated 9th November 2023, regarding an offence on the West Midlands Train Network.

On the 10th October, I had been travelling from Stourbridge Junction to Birmingham Snow Hill when I was asked to show my ticket by an officer. I only had a ticket from Jewellery Quarter to Birmingham Snow Hill, and admitted that I had travelled further to the revenue officer I spoke too and explained that I had forgotten to purchase before entering the train.

I am extremely sorry for this incident and feel very ashamed for my actions. I understand the severity of my actions and have taken further personal action to understand how this will have affected your company, and the implications of my stupidity. I can only apologise for the time and cost that investigating this will have taken and I am keen to settle this out of court. I am eager to cover all administrative costs and unpaid fare that West Midlands Trains need.

Since the incident, I have bought all tickets in advance where I can, and taken a season ticket for my regular commute.

Once again, I am extremely sorry for my actions and any inconvenience caused. I greatly appreciate your understanding and consideration.

 

[furlong]

"forgotten" ? Really?

Just delete that bit - you don't need to repeat it.

And to avoid more potential back-and-forth, generalise your reply so - without having to mention them - the request for a settlement can be read as including any other incidents their investigations might discover. (Write it a different way that's ambiguous. e.g. Not "I am extremely sorry for this incident" but "I am extremely sorry for what I have done"; "to settle this out of court by paying what's needed to put things right.")

 

[VeeS]

Thank you for that. Have changed it in my response and does sound much better.

This is a silly question I am sure, but the letter says to reply to it on the back. Do I have to write it or can I type, print and attach to the letter instead? Writing is fine but I feel printed would look better and be easier to read?

 

[Titfield]

Thank you for that. Have changed it in my response and does sound much better.

This is a silly question I am sure, but the letter says to reply to it on the back. Do I have to write it or can I type, print and attach to the letter instead? Writing is fine but I feel printed would look better and be easier to read?

Yes you can print and attach but make sure you cross reference the attachment to the letter by putting "Please see response attached" on the original letter and place your name address reference number on your response with a header for example "Name xxx xxxx Address xxxxx Ref No xxxxx In response to your letter dated xxxxxxxx".

Letters sent in are often scanned so they will probably detach the response from the original letter which can cause issues unless your response letter is cross referenced.

 

[VeeS]

Thank you - I will make sure to do that.

 

[Haywain]

I am eager to cover all administrative costs and unpaid fare that West Midlands Trains need.

I think you should change this to something like: "I would be extremely grateful if you would give me the opportunity to pay the outstanding fares and your administrative costs in order to settle the matter without the need for court action." That way you are asking a question rather than just telling them how you feel.

Curiously, I made the same response to the same set of words on another thread only yesterday.

 

[VeeS]

Thank you, have amended that.

 

[VeeS]

Just letting you know that this was settled, quite quickly. Received the letter today with an admin fee and cost of ticket. I feel very lucky and grateful for all your help on this.

 

[6Gman]

Just letting you know that this was settled, quite quickly. Received the letter today with an admin fee and cost of ticket. I feel very lucky and grateful for all your help on this.

Damned good this site!

Seriously, don't do it again.

Good result.