SWR Repeated short fares -

[anon12345]

Hi, on 11th December I was caught with a short fare from Vauxhall to Waterloo. I had travelled from shepperton to Waterloo.

I’m ashamed to say this wasn’t the first time I had done this. Having looked back at my Uber account, I think I have short fared (not always from Vauxhall, but sometimes from stations closer to shepperton) around 100 times since March 2023. I commute 2 days a week, most weeks.

I gave all my correct details to the revenue officer and admitted I had travelled from Shepperton.

I have read lots of the threads on this forum and am hopeful I will be offered an out of court settlement - I realise this is likely to be a significant sum of money, but I have well and truly learnt my lesson so deserve to pay it.

My question is - to get the best chance of an out of court settlement, is it better to continue using my Uber account to buy the correct fares so they can see I have learnt my lesson? Or better to stop using the Uber account and buy the correct fare using contactless or paper tickets from now on, until the matter is settled?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[z444z]

I don’t think it matters a huge amount. SWR are generally happy to settle, but I think paying the correct fare using the same account would best demonstrate that you’ve changed your ways and give you the best chances.

As you’ve said this is likely to be quite expensive. When you say 100 times, is this 100 return journeys?

 

[anon12345]

Yes 100 return journeys. I know the current price is £22.20 so I’m expecting to have to pay in the region of £2,500 including admin costs, based on other forum posts - if they agree to settle out of court.

Thanks for you reply

 

[z444z]

Yes 100 return journeys. I know the current price is £22.20 so I’m expecting to have to pay in the region of £2,500 including admin costs, based on other forum posts - if they agree to settle out of court.

Yes that’s about right.

 

[anon12345]

Yes that’s about right.

I’ve just received this letter from SWR. How is best to respond?

Thanks for your help

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jan 2026 ==

I think the revenue officer thought I bought the Vauxhall to Waterloo ticket at the barrier but I’d bought it whilst on the train so it wasn’t intent not to pay for a ticket but it was intent to short fare.

 

[z444z]

wasn’t intent not to pay for a ticket but it was intent to short fare.

Same thing.

Could you look through other threads, and based on the general advice given and other people’s final drafts, write your own draft to SWR, then send it here for us to review?

 

[greatkingrat]

While you shouldn't lie to them, there is no need to mention that you have being doing this regularly unless they bring it up in a future letter. Just respond based on the incident they are writing to you about. Although they will probably check your records, you might get lucky and get offered a settlement based on just the one incident.

 

[anon12345]

Thanks for your replies. This is my draft response. Any feedback or advice would be greatly appreciated.


Dear X,

I am writing in response to your letter regarding my incorrect fare on 11 December 2025.

I am truly incredibly sorry for travelling without a correct valid ticket. I sincerely regret my decision and take full responsibility for my actions.

Since the incident, I have reflected very seriously on my behaviour. This has been a difficult but important lesson, and I can assure you I will always buy the correct ticket before travelling in future (and have done so since the incident) and will ensure this never happens again.

At the time of the incident, I politely cooperated with the revenue protection officer at Waterloo station and provided all details honestly.

I would be very grateful for the opportunity to resolve this matter out of court. I am willing to pay the outstanding fare along with any reasonable administrative costs incurred, and I am prepared to do so promptly. I sincerely hope that, given my full cooperation and genuine remorse, this matter can be resolved without further action.

Yours faithfully,

 

[z444z]

Looks good overall, some suggestions:

add the reference number to the top

change “my incorrect fare” to “the incident”

change “truly incredibly sorry” to just “truly sorry”

move the second last paragraph (starting “at the time of”) to be just after the paragraph ending “regret my decision and take full responsibility for my actions”

remove the word “reasonable” from the final paragraph

change “without further action” to “without court involvement” or something similar

 

[anon12345]

Thank you. I really appreciate your help!

 

[007whatsgood1]

what happened in the end? im in the same situation!

 

[z444z]

what happened in the end? im in the same situation!

Please start your own thread for tailored advice as no two cases are ever the same and it gets confusing having multiple in one thread

 

[noname1234]

I have a similar situation here, do you have any update about it yet? I just received an email and a letter saying it’s under investigation

 

[WesternLancer]

I have a similar situation here, do you have any update about it yet? I just received an email and a letter saying it’s under investigation

They haven’t been back in the forum for 6 weeks so might never answer you. Best start another thread where you’ll get focused advice.

But as a rule of thumb they will have got an out of court settlement if they followed the usual advice given here.

Vauxhall to Waterloo tickets are entry level evasion that would set off an alarm with a ticket inspector even if they were asleep, and digital fingerprints on them can be seen without a magnifying glass I’m afraid.

You will get clear advice on how to minimise consequences of whatever you’ve done if you have a thread here, which will help you navigate things.