Caught with multple fare evasions

[unknown.user]

Hi there, I was wandering if I could get any advice on dealing with multiple fare evasions from thameslink. I got caught earlier today and they know it has been multiple times but I didnt say the exact amount. I have never logged into buy tickets, will they be able to track my purchases still after me giving them my information? Is it worth going back and correcting the interview to say just how much I've done this? And is it worth sending an email to thameslink prosecution offering to pay the full fine. I dont have a reference number as lost the receipt though.

Thank you in advance for any questions answered and help given.

 

[AlterEgo]

We’ll need a lot more detail in order to help. See the guide: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/please-read-before-posting-in-disputes-prosecutions.77759/

And let us know the vital info by reply.

 

[unknown.user]

• The stations where you started & finished your journey;
• The stations where you changed trains (if applicable);
• If you presented a ticket(s), the information stated under "Ticket type", "From", "To", "Route", and any other relevant details;
• What happened in any encounter with railway staff;
• The details of any paperwork with which you were issued.

Starting at aldrington and finishing at london bridge.
Paid for london bridge to blackfriars return.
Full interview where they took a description of my appearance and home adress along with mobile number.
Was given a peice of paper after this interaction which has subsequently been lost.

 

[30907]

It isn't worth contacting the train operator at this stage. They will in due course contact you, and this may be some weeks.

they know it has been multiple times

Did they tell you this, or did you offer this information?
If they already knew this, then they have evidence to prosecute you for (intentional) fare evasion.
If not, they can certainly prosecute you for boarding a train without a valid ticket.

You may be able to reach an out-of-court settlement, but you need to reckon on it costing you the full Anytime Single fare for each single journey, plus an amount for their costs.

You certainly need to start saving, and it would be wise to make a note of what happened when you were questioned and of the journeys you know you made illegally. Also, if you change address or are away for any length of time, make sure you can get any letters.

There is little else you can do at this stage.

 

[unknown.user]

They asked and I told them. I thought they would be able to see transactions under my name anyway even though I did it without an account. Thank you for your advice.

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

We are seeing lots of cases like this at the moment, just last week someone asked for advice having used a Farringdon to City Thameslink ticket to exit at City Thameslink. Here's the advice I normally give to people who ask for our help in similar circumstances to yourself.

I expect you to receive a letter from the train company or an investigation company acting on their behalf. The letter will typically take a couple of months to arrive but can be sooner although it shouldn't take longer than six months. The letter will say that they have received a report, are considering prosecuting you and asking for your version of events before deciding how to proceed. It is important that you engage with and reply to this letter. You might want to include the following in your reply:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the train company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter

Make sure your reply is short and concise, don't give a sob story - they've heard it all before. Most train companies are usually prepared to offer an administrative settlement (commonly known as an out of court settlement) for people who engage with the process and who haven't come to their attention before. There is no guarantee of this and the train company would be well within their rights to prosecute you in the magistrates court.

An aggravating factor in your case is that you have done this before. If you have purchased your tickets online or through an app the train company will be able to search your purchase history (even without an account) and you will need to be careful how you reply to the letter. You should answer the questions they ask for truthfully but you are not required to incriminate yourself either.

If you are offered a settlement the amount varies depending on the train company and circumstances but tend to be a few hundred pounds plus the outstanding fare. An out of court settlement might appear to be a fine, but it isn't and you won't have a criminal record as a result of accepting one. In our ecperience Govia Thameslink Railway are normally more willing to keep matters out of court but their cannot be any guarantees.

Feel free to post a copy of the letter once it arrives (with personal details redacted) along with your draft reply in this thread and forum members will be happy to proof read it. for you.