Hi all, I hope this is the correct place to post this query.
I have unknowingly been travelling for almost two months with an expired railcard via Trainline. I got stopped today (21/01/25) by an officer wearing a body cam. I was completely compliant and showed my ticket and railcard, just seemed like a standard inspection. The officer pointed out my railcard had expired on 02/12/24. I was shocked by this - it was a genuine mistake. The app normally emails me to remind me to renew, but it had not reminded me to update it for some reason this time - however I take full responsibility for not checking the date. The officer took my name, address, email address and asked me if I had taken any other trips in the past two months. I said yes, he then recorded the history of my past trips in my trainline app via a photograph. My records show I have made approx. 14 journeys between 02/12/24 and 21/01/25 mostly between Oxford and Paddington, 2 from Kings Cross to Stanstead, and 2 from Kings X to Sheffield. The officer told me this was being recorded. He was clear that my compliance for an on the spot “interview” was voluntary, but I obeyed because the expired railcard was truly an honest mistake. I have never intended to defraud the railway. He then said he wanted to interview me, and he would read me my rights. I said that’s fine, and we did a recorded interview. During the interview I confirmed where I was travelling from and to, and he asked is it the case that I’m on this train knowingly with an expired railcard. I said no. I did not realise it was expired.
I told him I genuinely had no idea why I had a ticket bought with a Network Railcard, and even said was there some reason the app would have upgraded without me knowing. But halfway through the interview I realised the reason I was travelling on a Network Railcard (not the expired 26-30) was because my partner’s train was cancelled on 06/01/25, so I booked her a new ticket from my phone and sent her the barcode - she does not have a 26-30 railcard, so I removed that from my phone when booking. She does have a valid Network Railcard, which I applied to my phone to book her ticket. Her ticket can be verified as used from London Kings X to Doncaster, Doncaster to Sheffield. I have a record of the Unique Ticket Numbers and can prove this in any further correspondence with GWR. I forgot to take the Network Railcard off my phone and have been using it unknowingly ever since. I told him this. I think he could see I was telling the truth. When the formal interview was over, I was clearly looking distraught. He said, “its’ not the end of the world, but when you receive the letter make sure you respond.” I was completely honest and told him all the information I had. Afterwards I immediately bought a new 26-30 Railcard.
I had to read his transcription and sign but because I was in a rush to get to work, I wasn’t able to read it as thoroughly as I would have liked, and of course I’m worried he didn’t include everything. I just wanted it to be over and was worried about being late for work. The officer said that they would perform an investigation. I recognise I have to pay any amounts owed due to the discounts I have incorrectly received, but I am super worried about any criminal prosecution or hefty fines. I have searched this helpful forum and understand best practice at this stage to be to wait for the letter. I gave them the address and check my post regularly. I am worried they will come down hard on me because it has been two months of using an expired, or incorrect Railcard.
I would greatly appreciate any advice about what I can do - please no retrospective advice – I’ve learned my lesson. I have written down my version of the events today. I am in the process of compiling a detailed list of all the journeys I took with the mistaken discount. I will also add up the cost of these journeys without the discount applied. As I understand from this forum if I comply, I am unlikely to go to court or be criminally prosecuted. I also know that if they ask me for a letter I will respond with facts and take @Hadders helpful advice about cooperation, saying sorry for what has happened, what I have learned from the incident, that I immediately renewed my railcard, that I am keen to settle the matter without the need for court action, and that I will pay the outstanding fare and the train company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter.
Further Questions:
1) Should I ask for the Bodycam footage? I saw some posts saying I should, but not sure how or why that would be helpful?
2) Will I definitely get the chance to reply in a letter? Or does the on the spot "bodycam under caution interview" count as my only chance to make my case?
3) Will I most likely have to pay for every journey taken in-full at an advanced single or return price? I’m worried about getting a huge fine – but obviously more worried about prospect of a criminal record.
4) If I do get the chance to respond by letter, in my response, can I include the list of every journey I have taken in error with my expired 26-30 Railcard, or the wrongly applied Network Railcard - and say that from this calculation I believe the sums I did not pay in error were £XXX – this is the difference between the tickets mistakenly bought thinking I had a valid Railcard, and that I am happy to pay this sum back, as I have never had any intention of travelling without a valid ticket.
5) re the Network Railcard, I'm aware that if I get a chance to reply in writing I shouldn't stray from facts, but can I explain the whole storm, Sheffield, partner situation in very brief unemotional terms just stating the facts (as this is why I ended up with the Network Railcard on my phone – plus I want to explain I shouldn’t have to pay a penalty for that specific train, as it was used by my partner with her valid Rail card which I can attach to any letter).
6) Should I contact them before they contact me? I saw on GRW’s ‘revenue protections and prosecutions policy’ .pdf on their website, that they encourage you to make contact.
7) I’ve seen in my 2023 emails from the Trainline that I got a notification of expiry. I did not receive one in 2024. Should I mention this to them in any capacity?
Many thanks in advance.
I have unknowingly been travelling for almost two months with an expired railcard via Trainline. I got stopped today (21/01/25) by an officer wearing a body cam. I was completely compliant and showed my ticket and railcard, just seemed like a standard inspection. The officer pointed out my railcard had expired on 02/12/24. I was shocked by this - it was a genuine mistake. The app normally emails me to remind me to renew, but it had not reminded me to update it for some reason this time - however I take full responsibility for not checking the date. The officer took my name, address, email address and asked me if I had taken any other trips in the past two months. I said yes, he then recorded the history of my past trips in my trainline app via a photograph. My records show I have made approx. 14 journeys between 02/12/24 and 21/01/25 mostly between Oxford and Paddington, 2 from Kings Cross to Stanstead, and 2 from Kings X to Sheffield. The officer told me this was being recorded. He was clear that my compliance for an on the spot “interview” was voluntary, but I obeyed because the expired railcard was truly an honest mistake. I have never intended to defraud the railway. He then said he wanted to interview me, and he would read me my rights. I said that’s fine, and we did a recorded interview. During the interview I confirmed where I was travelling from and to, and he asked is it the case that I’m on this train knowingly with an expired railcard. I said no. I did not realise it was expired.
I told him I genuinely had no idea why I had a ticket bought with a Network Railcard, and even said was there some reason the app would have upgraded without me knowing. But halfway through the interview I realised the reason I was travelling on a Network Railcard (not the expired 26-30) was because my partner’s train was cancelled on 06/01/25, so I booked her a new ticket from my phone and sent her the barcode - she does not have a 26-30 railcard, so I removed that from my phone when booking. She does have a valid Network Railcard, which I applied to my phone to book her ticket. Her ticket can be verified as used from London Kings X to Doncaster, Doncaster to Sheffield. I have a record of the Unique Ticket Numbers and can prove this in any further correspondence with GWR. I forgot to take the Network Railcard off my phone and have been using it unknowingly ever since. I told him this. I think he could see I was telling the truth. When the formal interview was over, I was clearly looking distraught. He said, “its’ not the end of the world, but when you receive the letter make sure you respond.” I was completely honest and told him all the information I had. Afterwards I immediately bought a new 26-30 Railcard.
I had to read his transcription and sign but because I was in a rush to get to work, I wasn’t able to read it as thoroughly as I would have liked, and of course I’m worried he didn’t include everything. I just wanted it to be over and was worried about being late for work. The officer said that they would perform an investigation. I recognise I have to pay any amounts owed due to the discounts I have incorrectly received, but I am super worried about any criminal prosecution or hefty fines. I have searched this helpful forum and understand best practice at this stage to be to wait for the letter. I gave them the address and check my post regularly. I am worried they will come down hard on me because it has been two months of using an expired, or incorrect Railcard.
I would greatly appreciate any advice about what I can do - please no retrospective advice – I’ve learned my lesson. I have written down my version of the events today. I am in the process of compiling a detailed list of all the journeys I took with the mistaken discount. I will also add up the cost of these journeys without the discount applied. As I understand from this forum if I comply, I am unlikely to go to court or be criminally prosecuted. I also know that if they ask me for a letter I will respond with facts and take @Hadders helpful advice about cooperation, saying sorry for what has happened, what I have learned from the incident, that I immediately renewed my railcard, that I am keen to settle the matter without the need for court action, and that I will pay the outstanding fare and the train company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter.
Further Questions:
1) Should I ask for the Bodycam footage? I saw some posts saying I should, but not sure how or why that would be helpful?
2) Will I definitely get the chance to reply in a letter? Or does the on the spot "bodycam under caution interview" count as my only chance to make my case?
3) Will I most likely have to pay for every journey taken in-full at an advanced single or return price? I’m worried about getting a huge fine – but obviously more worried about prospect of a criminal record.
4) If I do get the chance to respond by letter, in my response, can I include the list of every journey I have taken in error with my expired 26-30 Railcard, or the wrongly applied Network Railcard - and say that from this calculation I believe the sums I did not pay in error were £XXX – this is the difference between the tickets mistakenly bought thinking I had a valid Railcard, and that I am happy to pay this sum back, as I have never had any intention of travelling without a valid ticket.
5) re the Network Railcard, I'm aware that if I get a chance to reply in writing I shouldn't stray from facts, but can I explain the whole storm, Sheffield, partner situation in very brief unemotional terms just stating the facts (as this is why I ended up with the Network Railcard on my phone – plus I want to explain I shouldn’t have to pay a penalty for that specific train, as it was used by my partner with her valid Rail card which I can attach to any letter).
6) Should I contact them before they contact me? I saw on GRW’s ‘revenue protections and prosecutions policy’ .pdf on their website, that they encourage you to make contact.
7) I’ve seen in my 2023 emails from the Trainline that I got a notification of expiry. I did not receive one in 2024. Should I mention this to them in any capacity?
Many thanks in advance.
