GTR Witness Statement Receipt - no railcard

[jooompa9]

Earlier I had my ticket checked by a revenue officer in which upon presentation of the ticket he asked for my railcard which I did not have.

Now I’m currently serving in the armed forces and for some stupid reason I didn’t do any research and assumed that my MOD 90 (Military Identity Card) was sufficient proof for the discount. When purchasing the ticket I accidentally selected the “veterans card” in which I am not a veteran and still currently serving and when he did ask for my HM Forces Rail card I sort of panicked and just told him I had one in which he gave me this Witness Statement Receipt with the link to upload my rail card. I obviously don’t have one and I have just found out how I can obtain one from my higher ups (which I am going to get ASAP) Now I understand that I have 2 weeks to upload one however they will be able to see when I had my railcard.

Could anyone advise me as to what I should do because once that 2 weeks is up I will most likely receive a notice of prosecution letter.

I am a first time offender so is anyone able to help me regarding what the “punishment” may be and my next steps I’d be very grateful.

This was most obviously my fault and a result of me just not doing my due diligence and doing some research. I don’t travel via trains too often so I am not very educated regarding the whole system/process which I am most definitely going to do some reading on.

 

[furlong]

Luckily for you this was GTR. Our normal advice is to write a very short explanation of your misunderstanding, apologise, offer to pay the outstanding fare and cover their costs in dealing with the matter. Then upload an image of that (properly signed and dated) in the place they ask you to upload your railcard. If you have a new railcard before the 2 week deadline, include that with your explanation to help show this won't happen again. The explanation should be much shorter than you wrote here - just the bit about not doing your research but that you have now.

 

[WesternLancer]

Earlier I had my ticket checked by a revenue officer in which upon presentation of the ticket he asked for my railcard which I did not have.

Now I’m currently serving in the armed forces and for some stupid reason I didn’t do any research and assumed that my MOD 90 (Military Identity Card) was sufficient proof for the discount. When purchasing the ticket I accidentally selected the “veterans card” in which I am not a veteran and still currently serving and when he did ask for my HM Forces Rail card I sort of panicked and just told him I had one in which he gave me this Witness Statement Receipt with the link to upload my rail card. I obviously don’t have one and I have just found out how I can obtain one from my higher ups (which I am going to get ASAP) Now I understand that I have 2 weeks to upload one however they will be able to see when I had my railcard.

Could anyone advise me as to what I should do because once that 2 weeks is up I will most likely receive a notice of prosecution letter.

I am a first time offender so is anyone able to help me regarding what the “punishment” may be and my next steps I’d be very grateful.

This was most obviously my fault and a result of me just not doing my due diligence and doing some research. I don’t travel via trains too often so I am not very educated regarding the whole system/process which I am most definitely going to do some reading on.

Further to advice above probably an idea to post the draft wording of what you need to say (apology for your misunderstanding of how the forces discount works etc) up here before you send/upload it so people can help check your wording.

Have you had any letters/ paperwork from GTR? If so post it here with your personal details and any ref numbers blanked out for people to check exactly what they are saying to you.

 

[jooompa9]

Many thanks for the advice, will do!
As for paper work no, not yet and probably not for a while.

 

[WesternLancer]

Many thanks for the advice, will do!
As for paper work no, not yet and probably not for a while.

So I’m not sure if your deadline is 21 days to upload the railcard you don’t have from the date you were stopped or 21 days from the date of the letter you can expect to receive.

Others here will know.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

So I’m not sure if your deadline is 21 days to upload the railcard you don’t have from the date you were stopped or 21 days from the date of the letter you can expect to receive.

Others here will know.

It will be from the date of the letter. Given that when the letter is sent out, to rely on the date of the incident would be pointlessly random - some people would have almost 3 weeks to scan their Railcard if the railway was in touch promptly, while others would have only a day or two (or even negative time) if the railway took their time.

It's worth bearing in mind that most of what we see on this board can be explained by the railway wanting to make things quick, simple and cheap for the railway - so they wouldn't want to build in a trap that would force them and the customer to the (slow, complicated and costly) court process.

 

[WesternLancer]

It will be from the date of the letter. Given that when the letter is sent out, to rely on the date of the incident would be pointlessly random - some people would have almost 3 weeks to scan their Railcard if the railway was in touch promptly, while others would have only a day or two (or even negative time) if the railway took their time.

It's worth bearing in mind that most of what we see on this board can be explained by the railway wanting to make things quick, simple and cheap for the railway - so they wouldn't want to build in a trap that would force them and the customer to the (slow, complicated and costly) court process.

Thanks. Makes sense.

 

[jooompa9]

So I’m not sure if your deadline is 21 days to upload the railcard you don’t have from the date you were stopped or 21 days from the date of the letter you can expect to receive.

Others here will know.

The revenue officer stated that if I do not upload it within the 2 weeks then they take me to court which can’t be right, surely they let me explain myself right?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Mar 2025 ==

Luckily for you this was GTR. Our normal advice is to write a very short explanation of your misunderstanding, apologise, offer to pay the outstanding fare and cover their costs in dealing with the matter. Then upload an image of that (properly signed and dated) in the place they ask you to upload your railcard. If you have a new railcard before the 2 week deadline, include that with your explanation to help show this won't happen again. The explanation should be much shorter than you wrote here - just the bit about not doing your research but that you have now.

However I’m guessing this is once I receive the letter, sending one now before they contact me wouldn’t be a good idea correct?

 

[Ducatist4]

All you will achieve by buying a railcard now is to show your commitment to not making the same mistake again. It wont get you off the hook for the offence you have been reported for.
There is not really anything to explain though, you didn't have a railcard yet claimed the discount - thats a slam dunk conviction if they choose to do so.
Your goal now it to persuade them to let you settle out of court.

 

[jooompa9]

All you will achieve by buying a railcard now is to show your commitment to not making the same mistake again. It wont get you off the hook for the offence you have been reported for.
There is not really anything to explain though, you didn't have a railcard yet claimed the discount - thats a slam dunk conviction if they choose to do so.
Your goal now it to persuade them to let you settle out of court.

Yes Of course as they have every right to, however this is my first ever offence and will be my last. Me purchasing my railcard isn't me trying to get out of it instead show my commitment.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Mar 2025 ==

I think at this point its best for me to just wait for the letter and see what the revenue officer has put which from what I've seen from others in this forum could take up to 3 months.

 

[jooompa9]

Hi all, Happy Friday.

I just received a NIP letter for the following offence: That you on 21st march 2025, did enter a train for the purpose of travelling on the railway and upon inspection at three bridges did not produce a valid ticket entitling travel.

Some context, I was travelling from Blackfriars - Littlehaven after work to see a mate for the weekend and hopped on a Thameslink service. I initially bought a Blackfriars -> East Croydon ticket just to get through the barriers as I was worried I was going to miss my train and intended to purchase the full ticket once fully boarded. I got onto the train, took a seat and completely forgot about the ticket as I was doing some work on my laptop, I was also fasting and tired for religious reasons and I believe that contributed to that.

Now once we got to Three bridges I noticed that some revenue inspectors were getting on and was getting ready to get my ticket out however I realised that I did not buy the full ticket and immediately bought the right one however the ticket inspector asked me "Did you purchase this just now" in which I replied honestly and said "yes". I also was a bit silly and had a HM Forces railcard applied to that ticket (I'm a reservist) however did not have the railcard as I thought my MOD 90 made me eligible which obviously thinking about it now makes me cringe at how stupid I was for even assuming that.

I've yet to get the HM Forces railcard as at the time they were out of stock at my Unit and I'm currently extremely busy at work and have my training put on pause due to that reason.

I'm a 19 Year old IT Apprentice in financial services and balancing a full time job, the apprenticeship lessons & coursework along with the Gym and other personal hobbies currently makes my reservist commitments a bit difficult to meet hence the pause HOWEVER I do plan on getting the rail card as soon as I can. (Especially as the apprenticeship is coming to an end and currently wrapping up my work)

Now the letter doesn't mention anything to do with the railcard just did not produce a valid ticket entitling travel - should I still mention that or do I just end up telling on myself. (I also showed the inspector my MOD 90 in which he obviously explained it doesn't entitle me to the discount however he was Ex Forces... I think he might've let me go with that one but correct me if wrong.

This was a genuine honest to god mistake, I understand that "fasting" and being "tired" does not excuse what happened as these kind of situations greatly hurt the company however I'm trying to make it right and some guidance would be greatly appreciated! Last thing I want is this going to court and having to plead guilty.


Thank you for reading.

Below is how I intend to respond:
Dear Sir/Madam,


Thank you for your letter regarding the above incident. I appreciate the opportunity to explain and I would like to begin by sincerely apologising for my actions.


On the day in question, I had just finished work and was fasting due to religious observance. While rushing to catch my train at Blackfriars, I purchased a ticket to East Croydon simply to get through the barriers as I was worried I was about to miss my train and that was the first destination that I had loaded on the trainline app, intending to buy the correct ticket to Littlehaven once I boarded.


However, I became focused on work on my laptop and forgot to purchase the full ticket until I saw revenue inspectors boarding at Three Bridges. I immediately opened the app and bought the appropriate ticket. When asked by the inspector if I had just purchased it, I answered truthfully and said yes.


I understand this was a mistake on my part and fully accept responsibility. I did not intend to avoid paying the correct fare and deeply regret the situation. I also acknowledge that personal circumstances such as fasting or being tired do not excuse my actions as many people travelling are tired after work and I should have ensured my ticket was valid before boarding.


I also recognise that actions like mine negatively impact Great Western Railway by contributing to lost revenue and placing unnecessary pressure on frontline staff. This was never my intention, and I am taking this matter very seriously.


I would be very grateful if you would consider allowing me to resolve this without court proceedings. I am more than willing to pay the outstanding fare and any administrative costs you feel are appropriate.


Thank you for your time and understanding.

Yours faithfully,

 

[Haywain]

however I realised that I did not buy the full ticket

No-one is going to believe this and I doubt even you do. If you want a good result you need to be honest with us and with yourself.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jul 2025 ==

I also recognise that actions like mine negatively impact Great Western Railway

You need to get the company name right, if only to show you have actually read the letter you were sent.

 

[enyoueffsea]

1. You had no intention of purchasing a full ticket, until you saw the RPI enter the train. That’s why you bought a short fare ticket.

2. You didn’t accidentally apply a railcard, you did it intentionally knowing full well you were not entitled to it.

Be honest, or you may end up being prosecuted rather than receiving a settlement.

When they check your ticketing history, how many other short fare tickets or tickets with railcards applied will they find?

 

[AlterEgo]

Nobody is going to believe you bought a short ticket just to get through the barriers. It’s as clear a case of evasion as there could be, you got caught and now have to be honest about that.

 

[jooompa9]

Nobody is going to believe you bought a short ticket just to get through the barriers. It’s as clear a case of evasion as there could be, you got caught and now have to be honest about that.

That is completely fair enough, let me give you all a response.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jul 2025 ==

No-one is going to believe this and I doubt even you do. If you want a good result you need to be honest with us and with yourself.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jul 2025 ==


You need to get the company name right, if only to show you have actually read the letter you were sent.

Understood

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jul 2025 ==

1. You had no intention of purchasing a full ticket, until you saw the RPI enter the train. That’s why you bought a short fare ticket.

2. You didn’t accidentally apply a railcard, you did it intentionally knowing full well you were not entitled to it.

Be honest, or you may end up being prosecuted rather than receiving a settlement.

When they check your ticketing history, how many other short fare tickets or tickets with railcards applied will they find?

That is fair enough, I suppose I am just embarrassed by the situation now so forgive me.

No-one is going to believe this and I doubt even you do. If you want a good result you need to be honest with us and with yourself.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jul 2025 ==


You need to get the company name right, if only to show you have actually read the letter you were sent.

Apologies, I keep mixing GTR and GWR up thank you for catching that!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jul 2025 ==

Here is my revised version:
Below is how I intend to respond:

Dear Sir/Madam

Thank you for your letter regarding the above incident. I am writing to sincerely apologise and take full responsibility for my actions on 21 March 2025.


I knowingly purchased a ticket for only part of my journey, thinking I would not be caught. It was a deliberate and dishonest decision and I regret it deeply. When I saw the revenue inspectors at Three Bridges, I immediately bought the correct ticket and admitted to the inspector that I had just done so when asked if I just had purchased it.


I understand this behaviour Is unacceptable. It was a poor lapse in judgment and I accept that it caused a loss to the railway and undermined the trust placed in passengers. This incident has made me reflect seriously on my actions. I have not repeated it again since that date and I am determined never to repeat such a mistake again.


I am writing to respectfully ask if you would be willing to settle this matter without taking it to court. I am willing to pay any outstanding fare and cover any administrative or settlement costs you consider appropriate.


Thank you for considering my explanation. I appreciate your time and the opportunity to make amends.


Yours faithfully,

 

[Hadders]

The second version is much better.

 

[jooompa9]

Many thanks, do you all think it’s worth sending off or are there tweaks and changes to make.. I doubt they care I’m an apprentice or reservist.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jul 2025 ==

just a question, I shouldn’t mention anything regarding the railcard right?

Because that’s not listed in the offences.

 

[Hadders]

No need to mention the railcard. I would wait to see if any other forum members have any comments but otherwise I think it's goof to go.

 

[jooompa9]

I’ve sent the letter off earlier today, will keep you all updated with the result.

Many thanks for the help

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Jul 2025 ==

Got a very quick response, out of court settlement of £83.50

Thanks for the help all, definitely a lesson learnt