Govia ThamesLink - notice of intention to prosecute

[humbugg]

Hello everyone,

I have just received a notice of intention to prosecute from Govia Thameslink Railway.

Back at the end of last year I very foolishly short fared my usual trip to work. The journey was from Burgess Hill to City Thameslink. Usually I buy a split, return ticket via the Trainline app on the morning of travel but on this occasion I only purchased a ticket from Burgess Hill to Haywards Heath (one stop down the line) and then a second ticket from London Bridge to City Thameslink (2 stops). This meant that for the majority of the journey (the portion between Haywards Heath and London Bridge) I did not hold a valid ticket.

I got stopped at City Thameslink and taken aside by a Fraud Investigator Officer. Intially I claimed I got on at London Bridge but very quickly changed my story when I realised that I had made a huge error in judgement. I did set things straight and told her my normal journey. This is genuinely the first and only time I have ever attempted to short fare or evade any sort of train ticket and I feel like an absolute idiot for even trying to do it.
I'd love to be able to settle this out of court and avoid a criminal record if possible. I'd really appreciate it if some of the experts on here could help me draft a letter that will help me out here.

 

[notmyrealname]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

It would help the experts if you could post the notice you've received and other paperwork, if there is any. Make sure you redact your personal details and their reference number.

 

[30907]

Just to encourage you: GTR almost invariably offer a settlement to people who respond to their letter.

 

[humbugg]

Thank you for the welcome! I received a Witness Statement Receipt at the time of the offence (back in Nov) with a GTREMG number. Here is the letter I received just yesterday.

 

[WesternLancer]

I'd love to be able to settle this out of court and avoid a criminal record if possible. I'd really appreciate it if some of the experts on here could help me draft a letter that will help me out here.

This general advice I have copied below (obv you are part way through the process already) should give you an idea of things including what you can draft up for your response (I've put that bit in bold) - hopefully this will help you work up a draft - you can post your draft here for checking if you think that would help - also lots of other thread on the forum involving GTR so you will no doubt find some letters to give you the idea.

Remember that I think your reply needs to go by post hard copy - so you will probably want to type that up - ensure your ref number is on the printed page you attach to your original documents, along with your name and address

- On their form write 'Please see attached statement' - so if pages things get separated their end they can match it up

- Keep a copy of every page you send to them in response

- send it tracked postage from a post office so that you can check and prove it got to them should you need to do so at any point down the process.




------------------

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 rate 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.

 

[z444z]

Good advice above, though I'd say definitely post your draft here for us to review, we're doing it for free after all

 

[humbugg]

Thank you all for your input, it's very much appreciated.

I'd be grateful for any feedback on the reply that I have drafted below:

---
Dear Sir/Madam,


Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to respond to your letter dated 09 March 2026 (reference number GTREMGXXXXX).


On the morning of XXXXX, I was stopped by a Revenue Inspection Officer at City Thameslink Station and was unable to produce a valid ticket for my full journey.


I accept that on that occasion I did not hold the correct ticket for the journey I had made. I recognise that this was wrong and take full responsibility for my actions.


This was a short sighted and foolish decision on my part. I fully appreciate that fare evasion is unfair to the railway, its staff, and the many passengers who pay the correct fare for their journeys.


I rely on the railway for my commute to work twice a week where I am required to be in the office, and travelling into London is important for me as I build my career. Reflecting on this incident has made me realise how irresponsible my behaviour was, and I am genuinely ashamed that I allowed myself to make such a poor decision on this instance. Since this incident I have ensured that I always purchase the correct tickets for my travel.


I would be extremely grateful if you would consider allowing me to resolve this matter without the need for court proceedings. I am more than willing to pay the correct fare for my journey as well as any administrative costs incurred as a result of my actions.


Please accept my sincere apologies for the inconvenience and trouble I have caused. I can assure you that this is not something I will ever repeat.


Yours faithfully, XXXX

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you all for your input, it's very much appreciated.

I'd be grateful for any feedback on the reply that I have drafted below:

---
Dear Sir/Madam,


Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to respond to your letter dated 09 March 2026 (reference number GTREMGXXXXX).


On the morning of XXXXX, I was stopped by a Revenue Inspection Officer at City Thameslink Station and was unable to produce a valid ticket for my full journey.


I accept that on that occasion I did not hold the correct ticket for the journey I had made. I recognise that this was wrong and take full responsibility for my actions.


This was a short sighted and foolish decision on my part. I fully appreciate that fare evasion is unfair to the railway, its staff, and the many passengers who pay the correct fare for their journeys.


I rely on the railway for my commute to work twice a week where I am required to be in the office, and travelling into London is important for me as I build my career. Reflecting on this incident has made me realise how irresponsible my behaviour was, and I am genuinely ashamed that I allowed myself to make such a poor decision on this instance. Since this incident I have ensured that I always purchase the correct tickets for my travel.


I would be extremely grateful if you would consider allowing me to resolve this matter without the need for court proceedings. I am more than willing to pay the correct fare for my journey as well as any administrative costs incurred as a result of my actions.


Please accept my sincere apologies for the inconvenience and trouble I have caused. I can assure you that this is not something I will ever repeat.


Yours faithfully, XXXX

Typo at the end - 'ever' should be never (!)

First line - just make it really simple for them to see the case ref

eg

Dear Sir/Madam,

Ref: GTREMGXXXXX

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to respond to your letter dated 09 March 2026.

etc etc

Your objective is for the person who reads this to deal with it as quickly and easily as possible (think seconds or just a small number of minutes) - and then decide to put it in the 'let them settle this out of court' pile.

Otherwise generally looks good - if the deadline allows it wait for other feedback - you can post it tracked postage Saturday morning if you get to a post office by about 10am - or this afternoon if more urgent to send it

 

[AlterEgo]

Typo at the end - 'ever' should be never (!)

The sentence is fine, it says "not...ever".

 

[WesternLancer]

The sentence is fine, it says "not...ever".

shows what happens when you read these things quickly (as the person at the railway company will probably do)

 

[humbugg]

Thanks all for your wise words and feedback.

I'm going to print my reply and get it sent via special delivery before close of play today.