First time short-fare. First ever offense and anxious.

[kd_jaki]

Hi All,

I've written a version of this already but was more panicked, now ive calmed a bit i want to write with a bit more clarity and detail.

Today (serious lack of luck) I was caught short-faring for the first time (it's literally also the first time I've done it!).

For my job, we film in different locations - i dont usually go but this time, i decided to be more involved and present. On monday I made the same journey - paid the full fares on underground (as i always do) and overground (i have the email with my ticket).

Literally only today, I was running late - and saw a train I thought I would miss at the station. The station i was at doesnt have a tap in + tap out for national rail, you go straight from underground to national rail (but they have oyster readers). I sometimes get confused fused on what rules apply when and where.

today i ran for that train and got on, because i had heard that you can buy a ticket once onboard if you do it immediately (i now know and am very aware this isn't true!!). This was Thameslink. I tried for so long to connect to the internet/ by a ticket - but each time we approached a next station it said "journey unavailable". I finally managed to buy a ticket - just before a station that ticket inspectors got on. Then I was caught out and a statement with my details taken. I was initially hesitant to give my details because I didn't understand - then I did.

This is literally my first ever offense (of anything - ever) and I said to the officer what should I do now? What can I do - he immediately went for taking a statement.

I tried to explain to explain my situation to the officer but he was actually a little hostile after i mentioned to him what i thought.

I dont actually think i understand the zone rules (apparently it's outside london, but I learned today that many colleagues just tap with their card like inside london).

I hated how ominous the inspector was about "we'll let them know and they'll decide what to do with you". I know no one here can guarantee my outcome, but any likely advice about what i can expect, given my context/ anyone experienced similar?

I literally havent done this before + this was my second time making this journey (ive told work i prefer to work from home from now on to avoid this kind of thing again).

 

[tatitiliti]

Hi All,

I've written a version of this already but was more panicked, now ive calmed a bit i want to write with a bit more clarity and detail.

Today (serious lack of luck) I was caught short-faring for the first time (it's literally also the first time I've done it!).

For my job, we film in different locations - i dont usually go but this time, i decided to be more involved and present. On monday I made the same journey - paid the full fares on underground (as i always do) and overground (i have the email with my ticket).

Literally only today, I was running late - and saw a train I thought I would miss at the station. The station i was at doesnt have a tap in + tap out for national rail, you go straight from underground to national rail (but they have oyster readers). I sometimes get confused fused on what rules apply when and where.

today i ran for that train and got on, because i had heard that you can buy a ticket once onboard if you do it immediately (i now know and am very aware this isn't true!!). This was Thameslink. I tried for so long to connect to the internet/ by a ticket - but each time we approached a next station it said "journey unavailable". I finally managed to buy a ticket - just before a station that ticket inspectors got on. Then I was caught out and a statement with my details taken. I was initially hesitant to give my details because I didn't understand - then I did.

This is literally my first ever offense (of anything - ever) and I said to the officer what should I do now? What can I do - he immediately went for taking a statement.

I tried to explain to explain my situation to the officer but he was actually a little hostile after i mentioned to him what i thought.

I dont actually think i understand the zone rules (apparently it's outside london, but I learned today that many colleagues just tap with their card like inside london).

I hated how ominous the inspector was about "we'll let them know and they'll decide what to do with you". I know no one here can guarantee my outcome, but any likely advice about what i can expect, given my context/ anyone experienced similar?

I literally havent done this before + this was my second time making this journey (ive told work i prefer to work from home from now on to avoid this kind of thing again).

Don’t worry, you won’t be going to prison for this, and are very unlikely to be prosecuted in court provided you are honest and cooperative from this point. You’ll get a letter within the next six months (must be less than this to bring a *feasible* criminal prosecution) entitled ‘Notice of Intended Prosecution’ where they will outline that you were stopped and ask for your version of events.

GTR are normally one of the pragmatic companies to deal with and will almost always offer to settle out of court provided you haven’t come to their attention before. As long as you have no other irregularities in your journey history (they will usually check), expect to pay the full anytime single fare between the station you got on and the station you got off and an administration fee (I think this is approximately £150 for GTR).

After they write to you (and not sooner!), reply with a letter that is concise without any sob stories, but honest, apologetic, explains what you’ve learned and that you won’t repeat it, and politely request to pay the cost of the journey and administration fees out of court. To help with this, check templates and advice on other threads - @Hadders has some of the best of these.

 

[kd_jaki]

Don’t worry, you won’t be going to prison for this, and are very unlikely to be prosecuted in court provided you are honest and cooperative from this point. You’ll get a letter within the next six months (must be less than this to bring a *feasible* criminal prosecution) entitled ‘Notice of Intended Prosecution’ where they will outline that you were stopped and ask for your version of events.

GTR are normally one of the pragmatic companies to deal with and will almost always offer to settle out of court provided you haven’t come to their attention before. As long as you have no other irregularities in your journey history (they will usually check), expect to pay the full anytime single fare between the station you got on and the station you got off and an administration fee (I think this is approximately £150 for GTR).

After they write to you (and not sooner!), reply with a letter that is concise without any sob stories, but honest, apologetic, explains what you’ve learned and that you won’t repeat it, and politely request to pay the cost of the journey and administration fees out of court. To help with this, check templates and advice on other threads - @Hadders has some of the best of these.

Thank you very much for your response! So just for clarity, it will immediately be a notice of intended prosecution, rather than any alternative/ a fine letter?

And noted - i may also try and provide screenshots (if allowed to respond online) of internet searches of me trying to buy a ticket onboard! I used to get the Thameslink regularly from King's Cross to Elstree and Borehamwood with 0 issue as it was si.ply in London! However, Hatfield is another story....

He did scan my debit card a few times and confirmed the first part of my story so hopefully that helped to illustrate truth but just hoping this all goes smoothly...

Thank you so much for your help once again.

X

 

[tatitiliti]

Thank you very much for your response! So just for clarity, it will immediately be a notice of intended prosecution, rather than any alternative/ a fine letter?

And noted - i may also try and provide screenshots (if allowed to respond online) of internet searches of me trying to buy a ticket onboard! I used to get the Thameslink regularly from King's Cross to Elstree and Borehamwood with 0 issue as it was si.ply in London! However, Hatfield is another story....

He did scan my debit card a few times and confirmed the first part of my story so hopefully that helped to illustrate truth but just hoping this all goes smoothly...

Thank you so much for your help once again.

X

It won’t be a ‘fine’ - only a court can issue this, but it will notify you that they intend to bring court proceedings against you (almost certainly under RoRA/bylaws). However, the response letter you write should politely request to ‘settle’ the matter out of court by essentially compensating them for their revenue and administrative losses.

Don’t make things more complicated for yourself with screenshots etc. and just write the letter. The fact that you intentionally boarded a train without a valid ticket where there were opportunities to purchase one is a criminal offence in itself. Whether guilty or not guilty - don’t mention any other journeys in your letter, only the one in question. Don’t unnecessarily incriminate or cause further investigations against yourself!

And, no problem, we’re all here to help. Once they’ve sent you the NIP, feel free to post your response letter on here for us to check it!

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you very much for your response! So just for clarity, it will immediately be a notice of intended prosecution, rather than any alternative/ a fine letter?

And noted - i may also try and provide screenshots (if allowed to respond online) of internet searches of me trying to buy a ticket onboard! I used to get the Thameslink regularly from King's Cross to Elstree and Borehamwood with 0 issue as it was si.ply in London! However, Hatfield is another story....

He did scan my debit card a few times and confirmed the first part of my story so hopefully that helped to illustrate truth but just hoping this all goes smoothly...

Thank you so much for your help once again.

X

The best thing you can do while you wait for them to write to you in the post, so watch out for it, is to look at other threads involving Thameslink to get a clear idea of how this will work out from this point forward.

 

[kd_jaki]

It won’t be a ‘fine’ - only a court can issue this, but it will notify you that they intend to bring court proceedings against you (almost certainly under RoRA/bylaws). However, the response letter you write should politely request to ‘settle’ the matter out of court by essentially compensating them for their revenue and administrative losses.

Don’t make things more complicated for yourself with screenshots etc. and just write the letter. The fact that you intentionally boarded a train without a valid ticket where there were opportunities to purchase one is a criminal offence in itself. Whether guilty or not guilty - don’t mention any other journeys in your letter, only the one in question. Don’t unnecessarily incriminate or cause further investigations against yourself!

And, no problem, we’re all here to help. Once they’ve sent you the NIP, feel free to post your response letter on here for us to check it!

Thank you tatitiliti - I dont think it'd be incriminating myself of anything else wrong (as I said, i paid full/ did everything correctly the first time i went to this work location) but only made this error the second time. And I really haven't done something like this before.

I had thought proving that this was sincerely a one time/ new type of travel mistake might help my case just to illustrate it wasn't intentional (Monday made the journey for the first time - with full ticket - which I have receipts for, Wednesday, hopped on a train I thought I wasn't gonna get and then this circumstance happened). Just double checking you really feel it's not worth mentioning this?

X

 

[30907]

Thank you tatitiliti - I dont think it'd be incriminating myself of anything else wrong (as I said, i paid full/ did everything correctly the first time i went to this work location) but only made this error the second time. And I really haven't done something like this before.

I had thought proving that this was sincerely a one time/ new type of travel mistake might help my case just to illustrate it wasn't intentional (Monday made the journey for the first time - with full ticket - which I have receipts for, Wednesday, hopped on a train I thought I wasn't gonna get and then this circumstance happened). Just double checking you really feel it's not worth mentioning this?

X

If GTR want to research your travel history they can - just concentrate when the time comes on the actual journey.
It's unfortunate that you decided to short-fare instead of buying from your starting point, but I doubt it will make much difference if you engage with them.

 

[kd_jaki]

If GTR want to research your travel history they can - just concentrate when the time comes on the actual journey.
It's unfortunate that you decided to short-fare instead of buying from your starting point, but I doubt it will make much difference if you engage with them.

Ah - understood and thank you for explaining this further. Yes, I do completely realise my error - and I'm very frustrated at my own carelessness, but this has certainly reminded me not to slip from my usual discipline.

I'm very grateful for this response - and thank you for making time to reply to me. X

 

[tatitiliti]

Thank you tatitiliti - I dont think it'd be incriminating myself of anything else wrong (as I said, i paid full/ did everything correctly the first time i went to this work location) but only made this error the second time. And I really haven't done something like this before.

I had thought proving that this was sincerely a one time/ new type of travel mistake might help my case just to illustrate it wasn't intentional (Monday made the journey for the first time - with full ticket - which I have receipts for, Wednesday, hopped on a train I thought I wasn't gonna get and then this circumstance happened). Just double checking you really feel it's not worth mentioning this?

X

The advice from @30907 is good - just wait it out and when it comes, focus on the incident in question!

It’s up to you - sending these screenshots or evidence won’t necessarily harm your case if you’re careful not to confuse them, but you want this to be a quick and painless process as possible and the best way to ensure this is just to write the letter for this one incident that will almost certainly achieve the best possible outcome for you, which is an out-of-court settlement.

 

[kd_jaki]

The advice from @30907 is good - just wait it out and when it comes, focus on the incident in question!

It’s up to you - sending these screenshots or evidence won’t necessarily harm your case if you’re careful not to confuse them, but you want this to be a quick and painless process as possible and the best way to ensure this is just to write the letter for this one incident that will almost certainly achieve the best possible outcome for you, which is an out-of-court settlement.

Noted - thank you!

 

[kd_jaki]

Hi All,

I hope everyone is well today.

I just received my intent to prosecute letter from Govia. It was my first ever time committing this offence (and I ACTUALLY mean in. I don't usually have to travel outside of London for work - this was a new project and this day I was running late at a station where you cross over from underground to overground. Rather than buying my ticket properly before, I saw the train, ran on, then tried to buy my ticket. It was poor time management, rather than intention to bump the system).

This was a journey from Finsbury Park to Hatfield. Had made the journey perfectly two days before - in good time.

Was wondering if I could get some opinions on my letter response below? Thank you.

"To Whom it may concern,

On the 3rd of September this year, I was issued a statement for not having a correct ticket. Because of the nature of my work, in previous years, I have comfortably worked primarily within the London zones, clear on how to travel, simply using my debit card to tap in and out everywhere. However, this year, I've been on a project which has sought to visit locations outside of London - and I have tried my best to be present by commuting to/visiting those places.

Due to bad time management and confusion on my part – which I certainly should've attempted to find clarity for earlier – I travelled from Finsbury Park, intending to go to Hatfield, without the correct ticket - not knowing I could've used my debit card to tap in and out, but rather attempting to buy a ticket on a train that I had already boarded. When I arrived to Finsbury Park from the underground, I was confused about the changeover – as well, I had seen that the train I needed was right there, and I got on. It was no plan or intent to evade paying the right fare, but it was certainly poor time management on my part which caused me to travel without the correct ticket, for which I am extremely, extremely regretful and ashamed.

I take full responsibility for my actions. I deeply regret this and can assure you this will not happen again, and this instance has caused me to refind discipline and take the extra steps needed to be prepared if going outside London.

I would be very grateful if you would allow me to settle the matter out of court by paying the fare due as well as your administrative costs.

Kind Regards
xxx


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Dec 2025 ==

Forgot to say - this is Govia (Thameslink).

 

[30907]

First, you need to start Dear Sir/Madam and include your case reference details in the first paragraph.

second, GTR will not be interested in the details of your explanation - "I was running late and boarded without a ticket, and then decided to short-fare" ( you could phrase that less crudely!) basically is all they need to know.

You should still be able to settle

 

[kd_jaki]

First, you need to start Dear Sir/Madam and include your case reference details in the first paragraph.

second, GTR will not be interested in the details of your explanation - "I was running late and boarded without a ticket, and then decided to short-fare" ( you could phrase that less crudely!) basically is all they need to know.

You should still be able to settle

Hi there - thank you very much for reviewing and advising me!

Due to angst yesterday, i already wrote this letter out on the space provided (was going to attempt to have it sent - optimistic/ silly me forgot about post office early closing xmas eve!)! I did include my reference at the top (its also at the top of the paper). Do you still think this is okay?

X

 

[Blinkbonny]

Any letter for a first time offence that accepts responsibility and shows contrition should be good enough to do the trick.

 

[kd_jaki]

Any letter for a first time offence that accepts responsibility and shows contrition should be good enough to do the trick.

Thank you very much for reading/ your reassurance. I'm grateful for any help (certain not to make a mistake like this again!).

X

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi there - thank you very much for reviewing and advising me!

Due to angst yesterday, i already wrote this letter out on the space provided (was going to attempt to have it sent - optimistic/ silly me forgot about post office early closing xmas eve!)! I did include my reference at the top (its also at the top of the paper). Do you still think this is okay?

X

Did you post it tracked postage so you can be certain they received it? If so monitor the tracking record you would have been given at the post office.

 

[kd_jaki]

Did you post it tracked postage so you can be certain they received it? If so monitor the tracking record you would have been given at the post office.

Didnt manage to make it in time + tomorrow is a bank holiday so post offices not open - will send on Saturday first thing and make sure to do this!! Thank you xx

 

[WesternLancer]

Didnt manage to make it in time + tomorrow is a bank holiday so post offices not open - will send on Saturday first thing and make sure to do this!! Thank you xx

Good plan. Keep a copy of every page you send them.