SWR - Expired Railcard - TIR issued

[unfunnytrop]

Hi all,

I was recently stopped by an SWR revenue protection officer and issued a TIR.

Background:

• I buy all my tickets through the Trainline app.
• I was travelling on a ticket with a 16–25 Railcard discount.
• I couldn't produce a valid Railcard; mine had expired around 2 years ago.
• I cooperated fully and haven't yet heard from SWR.
• My Trainline history contains a substantial number of journeys using the expired Railcard.
• There may also be a significant number of short-fared journeys.

Since being stopped:

• I immediately bought a new 16–25 Railcard, as I'm eligible.
• I have completely stopped short-faring.
• All future journeys will be correctly ticketed.
• I intend to cooperate fully with SWR.

Potential amount owed:

• I've created a spreadsheet covering every affected journey leg I can identify.
• I've calculated the full undiscounted Anytime fare for each journey.
• Amount is around £2k (worst-case scenario where they do find short-faring)
• I'm willing and able to pay SWR in full if an out-of-court settlement is offered.

My position:

• I fully accept that what I did was wrong.
• It will not happen again.
• The situation is causing me significant anxiety.
• My main concern is avoiding a criminal conviction.

I'd appreciate advice on:

• How realistic is an out-of-court settlement if SWR only deals with the expired Railcard?
• How likely are SWR to investigate my Trainline history, and how far back do they typically go?
• If they uncover any short-faring, how realistic would an out-of-court settlement still be?
• Should I simply wait for SWR to contact me?
• Given the history, should I consider involving a specialist solicitor?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Swedenorer]

Probably quite realistic but expensive
We've seen as far back is 2022 recently
See 1 above
Wait - as long as they have the correct details for you
Not at this stage wait until they have contacted you.
Find any proof you can that you held a railcard up to 2 years ago.

Search SWR threads here - note that when calculating often no allowance is given for any fares already paid.

 

[unfunnytrop]

Probably quite realistic but expensive
We've seen as far back is 2022 recently
See 1 above
Wait - as long as they have the correct details for you
Not at this stage wait until they have contacted you.
Find any proof you can that you held a railcard up to 2 years ago.

Search SWR threads here - note that when calculating often no allowance is given for any fares already paid.

Thanks for the quick response!

- Glad to hear its realistic.

- Well the 2-year period is the only period during which I used an expired railcard discount, and I held the (valid) railcard for 4 years prior to that 2-year period, nevertheless I should continue to expect to owe the maximum sum.

- Again glad to hear.

- They do have the correct details yes.

- I will wait anxiously for the next stage.

- I have a official record of the expired railcard on my railcard account and also a photo of the physical copy, and emails etc. so I assume this should be fine?

- Again, I will continue to expect to owe the maximum sum. Expensive but necessary.

 

[SECR 65]

Firstly welcome to the forum, and thank you for such a clear opening post - makes our life a lot easier.

• How realistic is an out-of-court settlement if SWR only deals with the expired Railcard?

If you cooperate, you are very likely to be offered a settlement.

• How likely are SWR to investigate my Trainline history, and how far back do they typically go?

They are very likely to investigate, and in your case will likely look back the full two years.

• If they uncover any short-faring, how realistic would an out-of-court settlement still be?

As above, still likely to get a settlement if you cooperate.

• Should I simply wait for SWR to contact me?

Yes - we have no reason to believe there is a benefit in being proactive. If you haven't heard anything in 4-5 months come back and let us know.

• Given the history, should I consider involving a specialist solicitor?

I don't think it will be neccecary in this case, being with SWR.

 

[flitwickbeds]

Does your £2k calculation use the full undiscounted Anytime fare for the full journey, multiplied by two for a return, without any discount for the fares you have already paid?

 

[unfunnytrop]

Firstly welcome to the forum, and thank you for such a clear opening post - makes our life a lot easier.

If you cooperate, you are very likely to be offered a settlement.

They are very likely to investigate, and in your case will likely look back the full two years.

As above, still likely to get a settlement if you cooperate.

Yes - we have no reason to believe there is a benefit in being proactive. If you haven't heard anything in 4-5 months come back and let us know.

I don't think it will be neccecary in this case, being with SWR.

- Brilliant, thanks for the responses, super helpful and reasonably reassuring! You guys are life-savers!

Does your £2k calculation use the full undiscounted Anytime fare for the full journey, multiplied by two for a return, without any discount for the fares you have already paid?

- Yes, this is how I came to that calculation. Thanks for checking though!

 

[MarlowDonkey]

I have a official record of the expired railcard on my railcard account and also a photo of the physical copy, and emails etc. so I assume this should be fine?

It should be, but be warned that ticket retailers may not retain railcard details even when they sold them. They may demand evidence of valid railcards, sometimes going back several years.

 

[unfunnytrop]

It should be, but be warned that ticket retailers may not retain railcard details even when they sold them. They may demand evidence of valid railcards, sometimes going back several years.

Okay great, thanks! Will compile evidence for my old expired Railcard and new one for when they contact me.