SWR Short Fare - Reported for Prosecution

[illfly2la]

Hi, I have been stopped by a revenue officer, and i am sick to my stomach about what the outcome might be - any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am really stressed! But i deserved to be stopped and have fully learned my lesson
I have been reading some threads on here, and like most, i panicked and gave the incorrect information to the officer multiple times upon getting asked as i was late for work. I am new to the area and got a new job so i am struggling financially at this point until i get paid. I started from Vauxhall with an oyster card and got a trainline ticket from ashford to staines (which is the destination). The officer got all my details and said i will get contacted by someone, and gave me a receipt of some sort to sign, saying that i have been reported for prosecution. I think the revenue officer saw i was scared to death and said that i will only need to pay the rest of my journey when they contact me. But upon reading on here, is it going to be more than that? He also asked me why i didnt buy a full ticket, and i said i didnt realise that staines was out of the oyster zone, which was genuine! I had a zone 1-2 oyster card and i thought that it would just charge me the maximum and i bought the ashford to staines ticket via trainline
It seems like it takes a month until i receive letters from them. I am really scared with this as i am an immigrant - could this affect my stay here? I really hope i dont get any records. Any advise would be truly appreciated while i wait.
I will also prepare my response letter for them based on the other similar threads

 

[jfollows]

Please read https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/please-read-before-posting-in-disputes-prosecutions.77759/

It will probably take more than a month; if you engage with SWR when they write to you, they will usually agree to settle out of court.

We can not give advice on immigration and related matters.

 

[illfly2la]

Please read https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/please-read-before-posting-in-disputes-prosecutions.77759/

It will probably take more than a month; if you engage with SWR when they write to you, they will usually agree to settle out of court.

We can not give advice on immigration and related matters.

Hi jfollows, thanks so much for your response I have read the link thank you. When they agree to settle out of court, does that give me any record of some sort? Or is it more likely to be a massive fine with admin fees?

 

[Fawkes Cat]

When they agree to settle out of court, does that give me any record of some sort? Or is it more likely to be a massive fine with admin fees?

If the railway agree to settle out of court (and they normally do, but they can choose to take you to court instead) you will have to pay the train fare that you dodged, plus an admin fee of maybe £150. If you've done this more than once, and the railway find out, they will probably want you to pay for those journeys as well - and note that when they ask you to pay for the journey, they will expect the anytime single fare for each trip - so no discounts for buying a return, or for travelling off peak or having a railcard or anything.

This won't be cheap (assume £200 or so) but
- it will be cheaper than going to court, which would charge you a fine as well as compensation (the train fare) and costs: and
- settling out of court is a private agreement between you and the railway. If you have to fill in a form which asks something like 'have you any criminal convictions' then you don't have to tell them about the out of court settlement.

So we normally say that if you are offered an out of court settlement you should accept it and pay it as the best way out of your problem.

 

[z444z]

Hi jfollows, thanks so much for your response I have read the link thank you. When they agree to settle out of court, does that give me any record of some sort? Or is it more likely to be a massive fine with admin fees?

They are likely to offer you an out-of-court settlement, which is just a voluntary payment that you’re making to them as an alternative to them prosecuting you, it doesn’t come with any kind of record.

You can expect it to be £150 admin fee plus the cost of the journey at the Anytime fare (£10.90 Vauxhall - Staines). They are very likely to check your Trainline account and charge you for similar journeys which they suspect may be short fares. Don’t delete your account - this just means you can’t access it, the train companies will still be able to.

 

[Haywain]

i said i didnt realise that staines was out of the oyster zone, which was genuine!

If this was true you wouldn’t have bought a ticket from Ashford to Staines. You need to be honest in your future dealings with SWR.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi jfollows, thanks so much for your response I have read the link thank you. When they agree to settle out of court, does that give me any record of some sort? Or is it more likely to be a massive fine with admin fees?

It isn't a fine (though it will feel like one) - such a settlement seeks to get you to pay the fares they believe you have evaded and should have paid in the first place, in such a way that you stop doing what you have been doing and pay the correct fare in future.

This general advice might add to the helpful information people have already posted about what will likely happen - in case you have not already seen it:

Firstly, you committed a criminal offence by travelling with an invalid ticket and railway companies are entitled to prosecute you in the Magistrates Court if they want to. The good news is they will normally offer an out of court settlement to people who co-operate with them and who haven't come to their attention before.

Next, what happens is the railway company will write to you. The letter will go to the address that you gave them / on any of your ID they checked so you need to be able to access hard copy post at that address as they often send things that way (but also check e-mail and spam). It is extremely important that you reply, and you'll only have a limited time to do so (often 14 days from the date on their communication).

When you receive the letter post a redacted copy of it in this thread, along with your draft reply and forum members will proof read it for you. You'll find lots of example letters you can use in this section of the forum but the reply basically needs to mention:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident and will not do this again
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the railway company’s administrative costs in dealing with the matter

The railway will probably offer you an out of court settlement. Expect to have to pay the cost of the fare for the journey you made at the full Anytime fare price with no credit given for the invalid ticket you purchased. In addition they will charge an admin fee, typically £150. They will also audit your online ticket purchase history and if this shows you've purchased other tickets that were not valid (eg railcard discounted tickets when you did not have a valid railcard, or tickets for only part of the journey, or tickets bought after boarding the train you travelled on ) they will probably factor the cost of these journeys into the settlement offer. Depending on how many journeys you've made over the period concerned this could end up being expensive.

Settlements usually have to be paid in full within a few days of them being offered so if money is tight you might want to think about how you will raise the sum required at short notice.

 

[illfly2la]

Thank you so much all for your responses - at least i think i know i am not going to jail for this? i guess all i can do is wait it out and see what the letter would state. I have drafted my letter response, and i really am sorry, im just really tight for money atm, and was waiting to pass probation (buying time) to be able to apply for the company loan for season ticket - thank you so much for your advices

 

[Fawkes Cat]

at least i think i know i am not going to jail for this?

Just to confirm this: although some of the legislation used against fare dodging includes prison as a punishment, it doesn't actually happen. Magistrates and judges have to follow sentencing 'guidelines' which effectively rules prison out. So as long as you didn't greatly aggravate things (and that would mean things like having physically attacked railway staff) you won't be going to prison.

 

[illfly2la]

Just to confirm this: although some of the legislation used against fare dodging includes prison as a punishment, it doesn't actually happen. Magistrates and judges have to follow sentencing 'guidelines' which effectively rules prison out. So as long as you didn't greatly aggravate things (and that would mean things like having physically attacked railway staff) you won't be going to prison.Thanks

Just to confirm this: although some of the legislation used against fare dodging includes prison as a punishment, it doesn't actually happen. Magistrates and judges have to follow sentencing 'guidelines' which effectively rules prison out. So as long as you didn't greatly aggravate things (and that would mean things like having physically attacked railway staff) you won't be going to prison.

Thanks for this @Fawkes Cat

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Dec 2025 ==

After 21 days I got the letter I have attached it on here.

To the kind team on here, this is my draft and I would be very grateful if you could guide me with any updates or suggestions. Thanks so much


Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing further to the letter I received regarding the incident on 2 December and would like to offer my sincerest apologies.


I fully accept that purchasing tickets to cover only part of my journey was wrong and that I was not in possession of a valid ticket for the full distance travelled. I understand the seriousness of this and take full responsibility for my actions. Having reflected on the incident, I recognise that it was a poor decision and I have learned a clear lesson from it. I can assure you that this will not happen again.

At the time, new to the country I had recently started a new job and had not yet been paid. With the holiday period approaching and the need to send financial support overseas to my aging parents, I was under financial pressure. However, I fully understand that this does not excuse my actions, and I regret the choice I made.

Since the incident, I have ensured that I purchase valid tickets covering the full length of every journey, and I am taking steps to arrange a longer-term ticket option through my employer once eligible and I pass my probation.

I am very keen to resolve this matter without the need for court proceedings. I would be grateful if you could advise me of the outstanding fare for the full journey, along with any reasonable administrative costs incurred, and I am willing to settle these promptly.

Once again, I am genuinely sorry for my actions and for any inconvenience caused. Thank you for taking the time to consider my response.

Yours faithfully,

 

[John R]

I would delete the third paragraph. Saying you are new to the country and thought it was ok to fare dodge is not a good look.

 

[taylorswift13]

Hi, I have been stopped by a revenue officer, and i am sick to my stomach about what the outcome might be - any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am really stressed! But i deserved to be stopped and have fully learned my lesson
I have been reading some threads on here, and like most, i panicked and gave the incorrect information to the officer multiple times upon getting asked as i was late for work. I am new to the area and got a new job so i am struggling financially at this point until i get paid. I started from Vauxhall with an oyster card and got a trainline ticket from ashford to staines (which is the destination). The officer got all my details and said i will get contacted by someone, and gave me a receipt of some sort to sign, saying that i have been reported for prosecution. I think the revenue officer saw i was scared to death and said that i will only need to pay the rest of my journey when they contact me. But upon reading on here, is it going to be more than that? He also asked me why i didnt buy a full ticket, and i said i didnt realise that staines was out of the oyster zone, which was genuine! I had a zone 1-2 oyster card and i thought that it would just charge me the maximum and i bought the ashford to staines ticket via trainline
It seems like it takes a month until i receive letters from them. I am really scared with this as i am an immigrant - could this affect my stay here? I really hope i dont get any records. Any advise would be truly appreciated while i wait.
I will also prepare my response letter for them based on the other similar threads

Hello, Did they ask for your information?

 

[illfly2la]

Hello, Did they ask for your information?

Hello just my name address where I’m from and what station I was from

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Dec 2025 ==

I would delete the third paragraph. Saying you are new to the country and thought it was ok to fare dodge is not a good look.

Thanks so much john, I have amended below. Do I just email this to them with the reference number?

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing further to the letter I received regarding the incident on 2 December and would like to offer my sincerest apologies.


I fully accept that purchasing tickets to cover only part of my journey was wrong and that I was not in possession of a valid ticket for the full distance travelled. I understand the seriousness of this and take full responsibility for my actions. Having reflected on the incident, I recognise that it was a poor decision and I have learned a clear lesson from it. I can assure you that this will not happen again. I was under financial pressure. However, I fully understand that this does not excuse my actions, and I regret the choice I made.

Since the incident, I have ensured that I purchase valid tickets covering the full length of every journey, and I am taking steps to arrange a longer-term ticket option through my employer once eligible and I pass my probation.

I am very keen to resolve this matter without the need for court proceedings. I would be grateful if you could advise me of the outstanding fare for the full journey, along with any reasonable administrative costs incurred, and I am willing to settle these promptly.

Once again, I am genuinely sorry for my actions and for any inconvenience caused. Thank you for taking the time to consider my response.

 

[30907]

If they have given you an email address to reply to, use it.
If there is a postal address, use that and send it Tracked 48 or similar.
No harm in doing both, but mention that in your replies.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hello just my name address where I’m from and what station I was from

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Dec 2025 ==


Thanks so much john, I have amended below. Do I just email this to them with the reference number?

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing further to the letter I received regarding the incident on 2 December and would like to offer my sincerest apologies.


I fully accept that purchasing tickets to cover only part of my journey was wrong and that I was not in possession of a valid ticket for the full distance travelled. I understand the seriousness of this and take full responsibility for my actions. Having reflected on the incident, I recognise that it was a poor decision and I have learned a clear lesson from it. I can assure you that this will not happen again. I was under financial pressure. However, I fully understand that this does not excuse my actions, and I regret the choice I made.

Since the incident, I have ensured that I purchase valid tickets covering the full length of every journey, and I am taking steps to arrange a longer-term ticket option through my employer once eligible and I pass my probation.

I am very keen to resolve this matter without the need for court proceedings. I would be grateful if you could advise me of the outstanding fare for the full journey, along with any reasonable administrative costs incurred, and I am willing to settle these promptly.

Once again, I am genuinely sorry for my actions and for any inconvenience caused. Thank you for taking the time to consider my response.

Put you ref number in the letter as per convention. Eg

Dear sir / madam

Your ref:

I am writing further to your letter dated xx

 

[z444z]

I was under financial pressure. However, I fully understand that this does not excuse my actions, and I regret the choice I made.

I would remove this, your letter does the job without it. There’s very little risk keeping it in but equally there’s basically no reward, so I’d just get rid of it.

 

[illfly2la]

Thank you so much all!!

This is my final one I will send via email with all your inputs - thank you again

Ref:- SWRxxxx

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing further to the letter I received regarding the incident on 2 December and would like to offer my sincerest apologies.


I fully accept that purchasing tickets to cover only part of my journey was wrong and that I was not in possession of a valid ticket for the full distance travelled. I understand the seriousness of this and take full responsibility for my actions. Having reflected on the incident, I recognise that it was a poor decision and I have learned a clear lesson from it. I can assure you that this will not happen again.

Since the incident, I have ensured that I purchase valid tickets covering the full length of every journey, and I am taking steps to arrange a longer-term ticket option through my employer once eligible and I pass my probation.

I am very keen to resolve this matter without the need for court proceedings. I would be grateful if you could advise me of the outstanding fare for the full journey, along with any reasonable administrative costs incurred, and I am willing to settle these promptly.

Once again, I am genuinely sorry for my actions and for any inconvenience caused. Thank you for taking the time to consider my response.

Yours sincerely,

 

[z444z]

This looks good overall! Make sure you send it with tracked postage.

One little thing I’d change:

I would be very grateful for the opportunity resolve this matter without the need for court proceedings. I am prepared to promptly pay the outstanding fare for the full journey, along with any administrative costs incurred.

 

[jfollows]

I personally agree with @z444z , I do not think you are in a position to ask for “reasonable” costs, they will offer you something and you can take it or leave it.

 

[WesternLancer]

This looks good overall! Make sure you send it with tracked postage.

One little thing I’d change:

I think it’s possible swr accept responses by e mail but op should check what it says to use on their letter and if posted indeed use tracked postage.

 

[z444z]

I think it’s possible swr accept responses nice mail but op should check what it says to use on their letter and if posted indeed use tracked postage.

The letter does say they can email, good spot, thanks