Expired Railcard Prosecution

[letterquestion]

On the 20 October 2025, I travelled from West Hampstead to Gatwick Airport and bought a ticket with the 16-17 railcard. When I got to Gatwick there were people checking tickets at the barriers and I was asked to show my railcard. I found out that my railcard had expired and so the officer took a photo of my ticket and told me I would get a letter. I had no idea that my railcard had to be renewed. I just received a Notice of Intention to Prosecute which has given me the opportunity to tell them what happened. This is a draft of what I was thinking of writing, is there anything I need to change/add? Any help would be massively appreciated!

Dear Fare Evasion Manager,
I would like to sincerely apologise for travelling with a discounted ticket and unknowingly using an expired 16-17 Railcard. I had no intention whatsoever to avoid paying the correct fare as I purchased a ticket, mistakenly believing that my 16-17 Railcard was valid. I fully understand that it is my responsibility to ensure that any Railcard used to purchase a discounted ticket is valid at the time of travel, and I accept that I failed to do so. I would be very grateful for an opportunity to settle this out of court.

 

[CarrotPie]

GTR seem to generally be happy to settle out of court if you don't have a history of other fare evasion.

In order to help you with your reponse, other members will probably want to know:

• when your railcard expired
• if you made any other journeys with it while it was expired
• whether you have bought a new 16-17 railcard (or a different railcard if you are now too old) after the incident

 

[letterquestion]

GTR seem to generally be happy to settle out of court if you don't have a history of other fare evasion.

Other members will probably want to know:

• when your railcard expired
• if you made any other journeys with it while it was expired
• whether you have bought a new 16-17 railcard (or a different railcard if you are now too old) after the incident

It expired in January 2025 which is probably why they escalated it however I only used it twice in 2025 apart from that incident (I purchased a ticket at the station for travelling to St Albans on two occasions).
I haven't bought a new railcard because I haven't made any train journeys since October as I only use London Underground or buses.

 

[CarrotPie]

Nevermind.

 

[John R]

Right, then it's safe to assume that GTR will find out about those other two uses as well, if they haven't already.

Unlikely, if they were purchased "at the station" (which I assume to mean at either a ticket office or a ticket machine).

 

[Haywain]

It expired in January 2025 which is probably why they escalated it however I only used it twice in 2025 apart from that incident

When did you turn 18 - was it before or after this incident?

 

[AlterEgo]

Right, then it's safe to assume that GTR will find out about those other two uses as well, if they haven't already.

On the contrary, GTR often don't bother to search customer histories.

 

[letterquestion]

When did you turn 18 - was it before or after this incident?

two days before as it was a birthday trip! I was in a rush to get the train so I didn't think to check the railcard. My oyster card is still the 16+ and it expires this September which is probably why I confused the two and assumed the railcard was still valid.

 

[Haywain]

two days before as it was a birthday trip! I was in a rush to get the train so I didn't think to check the railcard. My oyster card is still the 16+ and it expires this September which is probably why I confused the two and assumed the railcard was still valid.

So, the problem here isn’t simply an out of date railcard but the wrong railcard. Whilst you will still be able to agree a settlement, in all likelihood, this does make the matter more serious, and your age doesn’t give a get out clause as it might if you were under 18.

 

[letterquestion]

So, the problem here isn’t simply an out of date railcard but the wrong railcard. Whilst you will still be able to agree a settlement, in all likelihood, this does make the matter more serious, and your age doesn’t give a get out clause as it might if you were under 18.

Is there anything I should add to the letter that would help the situation?

 

[Haywain]

Is there anything I should add to the letter that would help the situation?

No, it’s probably best to leave it as it is. They will be looking to have you pay the full adult fare anyway, so I don’t see it making a difference.

 

[z444z]

Add the reference number at the top.

Your letter will do the job, but as you’re specifically asking for suggestions for improvements/additions:

Change “I had no intention whatsoever” to “It was not my intention”

Change “I accept that I failed to do so” to “I am sorry that I failed to do so, and will ensure this does not happen again” or something along those lines.