SWR- expired railcard report for prosecution

[railife]

Good Evening,

I have been lurking here for a few months awaiting correspondence from SWR as on 27th March I was stopped and could not produce a valid railcard as my railcard had expired in Dec 24, completely my foolish oversight.

I have now received the attached from SWR and have been asked to provide information pertaining to my held railcards since Oct 2020. I know the railcards I held and have evidence of all but 1, my 16- 17 saver for the year starting Oct 2020.

I am very stressed about the 16- 17 saver, my mother purchased it for me at the time and it was a physical card, we cannot find any records of the railcard and are now in the process of contacting the issuer (Tesco Clubcard) for the applicable records- so doing what I can.

Below I have also attached a 1st draft response (deleted sections include railcard details). I hope to deal with this matter out of court where possible. I would greatly appreciate any feedback or tweeks you might suggest or if this is indeed the appropriate sort of response at all.

Many thanks in advance

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

There is no legal requirement to keep evidence of previous railcards and frankly, I'm not sure it's reasonable to expect someone who (I assume was 16 at the time) to still have evidence of its purchase almost five years later.

That said, if you can find evidence of it then it would be helpful to send this to SWR. Tesco Clubcard don't issue railcards themselves, it would ultimately been purchased through railcard.co.uk. If your mum paid for the railcard her bank statement should help to pinpoint the date, in the absence of anything firmer sending this should assist matters, especially if you've got details of the other railcards.

I think your letter's ok, but I suggest waiting a day before sending it to see if any other forum members have any suggestions.

 

[AlterEgo]

You need to supply them with proof of purchase of the railcards rather than just the dates of purchase, validity and expiry - they’re asking because they don’t have access to the database themselves. Did you keep receipts, screen grabs, photos or email confirmations? If so, attach those.

 

[railife]

There is no legal requirement to keep evidence of previous railcards and frankly, I think it's a it rich of SWR to expect someone who (I assume was 16 at the time) to still have evidence of its purchase almost five years later.

Thanks for this, I do feel it is a slight stretch at 5 years ago too, and yes I was 16 at the time.

That said, if you can find evidence of it then it would be helpful to send this to SWR. Tesco Clubcard don't issue railcards themselves, it would ultimately been purchased through railcard.co.uk. If your mum paid for the railcard her bank statement should help to pinpoint the date, in the absence of anything firmer sending this should assist matters, especially if you've got details of the other railcards.

There was never any bank transaction as was a voucher code redemption from Tesco, but hopefully SWR/ National Rail will have this on their records, awaiting Tescos response as they should confirm they issued the voucher and when etc.

I think your letter's ok, but I suggest waiting a day before sending it to see if any other forum members have any suggestions.

And thanks again, I am waiting until Sunday to hopefully get a response from Tesco to have something more solid to send through!

Appreciate the advice so far and any further input anyone may have.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jul 2025 ==

You need to supply them with proof of purchase of the railcards rather than just the dates of purchase, validity and expiry - they’re asking because they don’t have access to the database themselves. Did you keep receipts, screen grabs, photos or email confirmations? If so, attach those.

Yes have all details with National Rail and they will be attached

 

[MarlowDonkey]

Tesco Clubcard don't issue railcards themselves, it would ultimately been purchased through railcard.co.uk.

In my exprience railcard.co.uk are very good at keeping railcard histories. I can see a personal history of Senior Railcards, all purchased with Tesco Clubcard vouchers going back to 2011.

 

[railife]

In my exprience railcard.co.uk are very good at keeping railcard histories. I can see a personal history of Senior Railcards, all purchased with Tesco Clubcard vouchers going back to 2011.

Afternoon, I have completed the applicable SAR from NR to send the details if they hold them. I simply can’t remember how it was purchased, who by and which account the history may be showing on so having to go through other means. After all, it was 5 years ago!

 

[Hadders]

If you aren't able to get details of the railcard then let us know and we can have a think about what to say to SWR. Given that you can evidence all the others, and the missing one relates to five years ago when you were 16, I'd hope that a well worded reply explaining the position would have a favourable outcome.

 

[railife]

Afternoon, I have to reply by tomorrow and the end of the week has been and gone and Tesco nor NR have got back to me re my SARs.

So it is time to start thinking what I can say to SWR re the records… any input anyone has is greatly appreciated!

 

[30907]

Afternoon, I have to reply by tomorrow and the end of the week has been and gone and Tesco nor NR have got back to me re my SARs.

So it is time to start thinking what I can say to SWR re the records… any input anyone has is greatly appreciated!

Simply give them the information that you have.

For the missing one, don't overdo the apology (but don't get on your high horse about them being unreasonable: "I am afraid that I cannot now confirm that I bought.... and TESCO have not yet responded to my SAR. I trust that you will accept that tickets purchased during that period were legitimately valid."

Post a draft and we can pull it to pieces suggest improvements

 

[railife]

Good ,

I am writing in relation to your correspondence on 07/07/2025.

I was shocked to learn my railcard had expired on 27th March when it was inspected. Since the incident, I have renewed my railcard and set a reminder to avoid a similar instance as I now understand the impact instances such as this one have on the railway and travelling public. I would like to apologise and express my deep regret for my actions.

I have attached the railcards I have held since October 2020 for your reference and detailed the information as requested:

**REMOVED RAILCARD DETAILS**

*Please be advised that I held a 16- 17 saver for the year from October 2020. It was a physical rail card. I have contacted National rail regarding a SAR as I cannot find these records, regrettably they have not yet come back to me however I will update you once they do. This Railcard was purchased for my daily commute to Woking.

I hope we will be able to reach a settlement out of court for any fare or investigation costs owed and will fully comply with any investigations you wish to hold regarding this matter.

Kind regards,

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Jul 2025 ==

Good ,

I am writing in relation to your correspondence on 07/07/2025.

I was shocked to learn my railcard had expired on 27th March when it was inspected. Since the incident, I have renewed my railcard and set a reminder to avoid a similar instance as I now understand the impact instances such as this one have on the railway and travelling public. I would like to apologise and express my deep regret for my actions.

I have attached the railcards I have held since October 2020 for your reference and detailed the information as requested:

**REMOVED RAILCARD DETAILS**

*Please be advised that I held a 16- 17 saver for the year from October 2020. It was a physical rail card. I have contacted National rail regarding a SAR as I cannot find these records, regrettably they have not yet come back to me however I will update you once they do. This Railcard was purchased for my daily commute to Woking.

I hope we will be able to reach a settlement out of court for any fare or investigation costs owed and will fully comply with any investigations you wish to hold regarding this matter.

Kind regards,

lol have already rephrased slightly

Please be advised that I held a 16- 17 saver for the year from October 2020. It was a physical rail card. I have contacted National rail regarding a SAR as I cannot find these records, regrettably they have not yet come back to me however I will update you once they do. This Railcard was purchased for me for my daily commute by my mother when I was 16

 

[Hadders]

I think your rephrasing is ok but I would consider politely pointing out that you have provided all of the information requested except for this one railcard, that you were 16 at the time and as there is no requirement to keep details of previous railcard purchases you hope they will look at the position favourably.

Interested in views of other forum mmebers on this.

 

[railife]

“Soon I will forward your case to the Prosecutions Team to make the final decision regarding any further action SWR may take.

Thank you again and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.”

UPDATE This is the reply I have received, they have not mentioned the missing Railcard evidence. Still heard nothing from NR, and I will let them know when I do.