West Midlands Railway Letter

[tho0912]

Hello, today i received a letter from west midlands railway about an incident back in March when i was travelling from new street to bournville and had purchased a ticket from new street to five ways to intentionally get a cheaper fare. a man questioned me about my journey when at bournville station and i was honest about what i had done and in looking at my trainline he knows this has happened on more than one occasion. letter arrived today detailing how they were gathering all the evidence and could take legal action, i wrote a response on the back about what happened, how i am sorry and what i have learnt, and had purchased a railcard a few months back to help with cheaper train fares. i said that i would like to settle this out of court and pay any admin costs and to give me a sum and i will settle. what can i expect now other than waiting however long for another response? im hoping to be offered a settlement amount and to be able to get this off my mind finally as i havent stopped feeling horrible about it. i havent done it in the months since and have always travelled with a valid ticket

 

[AlterEgo]

Hello, today i received a letter from west midlands railway about an incident back in March when i was travelling from new street to bournville and had purchased a ticket from new street to five ways to intentionally get a cheaper fare. a man questioned me about my journey when at bournville station and i was honest about what i had done and in looking at my trainline he knows this has happened on more than one occasion. letter arrived today detailing how they were gathering all the evidence and could take legal action, i wrote a response on the back about what happened, how i am sorry and what i have learnt, and had purchased a railcard a few months back to help with cheaper train fares. i said that i would like to settle this out of court and pay any admin costs and to give me a sum and i will settle. what can i expect now other than waiting however long for another response? im hoping to be offered a settlement amount and to be able to get this off my mind finally as i havent stopped feeling horrible about it. i havent done it in the months since and have always travelled with a valid ticket

As you've already replied, all you can realistically do is wait for them to get back to you. They have until September to do this, as there is a six month time limit for prosecutions for most railway offences. They will likely be in touch much sooner than that though, and usually settle out of court.

 

[tho0912]

As you've already replied, all you can realistically do is wait for them to get back to you. They have until September to do this, as there is a six month time limit for prosecutions for most railway offences. They will likely be in touch much sooner than that though, and usually settle out of court.

i hope so, honestly just want to get this off my mind now. and would they consider out of court even if i have done this on more than one occasion? (this is the first time i have been caught)

 

[John R]

i hope so, honestly just want to get this off my mind now. and would they consider out of court even if i have done this on more than one occasion? (this is the first time i have been caught)

Yes, it’s very routine for settlement offers to be made, based on all the evaded fares. If WMT prosecutes, it can usually only do so for the one occasion when you were caught, and it would rather get the money for a full recovery of fares.

 

[tho0912]

Yes, it’s very routine for settlement offers to be made, based on all the evaded fares. If WMT prosecutes, it can usually only do so for the one occasion when you were caught, and it would rather get the money for a full recovery of fares.

makes sense i suppose, how much usually is the out of court settlement

 

[John R]

For every return journey you have paid a short fare, calculate 2x Anytime Single fare. Then add around £150 for WMT’s expenses. That should give you a ball park of the amount they might offer as a settlement.

 

[tho0912]

For every return journey you have paid a short fare, calculate 2x Anytime Single fare. Then add around £150 for WMT’s expenses. That should give you a ball park of the amount they might offer as a settlement.

alright well thats better than what i thought. i had panicked myself into thinking i was going to end up in prison or with a criminal record for the incident. just want it settled now

 

[Haywain]

i had panicked myself into thinking i was going to end up in prison or with a criminal record for the incident.

Criminal record is the worst case scenario, there is absolutely no chance of prison for a first offence.

 

[tho0912]

Criminal record is the worst case scenario, there is absolutely no chance of prison for a first offence.

still not wanting a criminal record though, just hoping i can settle it out of court

 

[SCDR_WMR]

still not wanting a criminal record though, just hoping i can settle it out of court

Nobody ever wants a criminal record, but it's not a matter of choice.

Fare evasion, in particular, deliberate short faring is a criminal offence. Be thankful if you do get a settlement and make sure you're not tempted to do it again regardless of the train company.

 

[tho0912]

Nobody ever wants a criminal record, but it's not a matter of choice.

Fare evasion, in particular, deliberate short faring is a criminal offence. Be thankful if you do get a settlement and make sure you're not tempted to do it again regardless of the train company

would never do anything like this again, have definitely learned my lesson. will update here with what happens, hopefully soon

 

[tho0912]

would never do anything like this again, have definitely learned my lesson. will update here with what happens, hopefully soon

ended up getting away with a settlement, all paid and sorted feels good to finally have this off my mind

 

[cherryfizz]

ended up getting away with a settlement, all paid and sorted feels good to finally have this off my mind

this gives me hope

 

[30907]

ended up getting away with a settlement, all paid and sorted feels good to finally have this off my mind

Thanks for the update.

 

[leeching791]

ended up getting away with a settlement, all paid and sorted feels good to finally have this off my mind

May I ask do you mention the reason why you evade fare in the reply letter please? Many thanks!

 

[WesternLancer]

May I ask do you mention the reason why you evade fare in the reply letter please? Many thanks!

If you need advice for a different case / your own case, it's best to start a new thread to ask for help with any questions you have.

 

[30907]

If you need advice for a different case / your own case, it's best to start a new thread to ask for help with any questions you have.

They already have, and received several replies from regulars to the question of what to say.