Explaining no ticket to ticket guard

[essexjn]

Dear all

Would appreciate your advice on behalf of a friend. 8 weeks ago he travelled from Claygate but realised at Vauxhall he had no ticket - he went up to the ticket inspector, explained and was issued a penalty fare. 4 weeks ago he did the same - no excuses but again rather than being stopped approached staff at Vauxhall. I’m assuming he could simply have tapped out at Vauxhall or downloaded a ticket but he thought honesty was best policy. Now he’s received a notice of intent to prosecute. He’s very concerned about this . His history will show no short faring behaviour as he’s only ever done this twice. I’m assuming he should point out in his response that he approached the revenue team- he’s hoping this was recorded. He has of course since bought monthly pass with auto renewal. Grateful for advice please.

 

[methecooldude]

He received a penalty fare previously which is for basic mistakes and is the lowest possible sanction (other than just words of advice). Then he decided to do it again. You don't get a second chance and to the railway it would look like the lesson had not been learnt. You will have to wait for South Western Railway to send him a letter

 

[Mcr Warrior]

@essexjn. Welcome to the forum. Are you saying that your 'friend' was, on the first occasion, issued with any Penalty Fare for having travelled without a ticket, and then, quite soon thereafter, made a similar journey again, also without having purchased any ticket beforehand? How many chances does your 'friend" expect to receive? Should still be possible to sort the matter out without going to Court, but likely this will cost them more £££ than the PF issued the first time did.

 

[essexjn]

Thanks yes he’s now received the letter of notice to prosecute

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Nov 2025 ==

Thanks yes he’s now received the letter of notice to prosecute

 

[methecooldude]

Thanks yes he’s now received the letter of notice to prosecute

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Nov 2025 ==

Thanks yes he’s now received the letter of notice to prosecute

Please upload a suitably redacted copy of the letter received so the experts here can help you

 

[essexjn]

It’s the standard failed to produce a valid ticket when requested- 21 days to respond. My question is has anyone on this forum dealt with a case where the traveller wasn’t stopped but actually made a point of approaching the revenue officer. Thanks

 

[SuspectUsual]

It’s the standard failed to produce a valid ticket when requested- 21 days to respond. My question is has anyone on this forum dealt with a case where the traveller wasn’t stopped but actually made a point of approaching the revenue officer. Thanks

I don’t think that makes any difference legally as the offence has been committed prior to this point

 

[WesternLancer]

It’s the standard failed to produce a valid ticket when requested- 21 days to respond. My question is has anyone on this forum dealt with a case where the traveller wasn’t stopped but actually made a point of approaching the revenue officer. Thanks

well you do see cases on here from time to time along the lines of

'I didn't have a ticket so I went to the staff at my destination to buy one as I always intended to do that and got issued with a Penalty Fare / Reported for Investigation / now I've got a letter threatening to take me to court etc' - so yes it happens.

Doesn't really make much difference to the outcome I don't think, tho no harm in stating it in the mitigation letter.

The key things to do are to make it clear
- a lesson has been learned
- fully understand the need to buy a valid ticket before getting on the train to start with
- it won't happen again (and really will not!)
- and offer to pay any fare due plus admin costs as would like to resolve the matter without the need for court action

 

[essexjn]

well you do see cases on here from time to time along the lines of

'I didn't have a ticket so I went to the staff at my destination to buy one as I always intended to do that and got issued with a Penalty Fare / Reported for Investigation / now I've got a letter threatening to take me to court etc' - so yes it happens.

Doesn't really make much difference to the outcome I don't think, tho no harm in stating it in the mitigation letter.

The key things to do are to make it clear
- a lesson has been learned
- fully understand the need to buy a valid ticket before getting on the train to start with
- it won't happen again (and really will not!)
- and offer to pay any fare due plus admin costs as would like to resolve the matter without the need for court action

Thanks.

 

[z444z]

Revenue protection staff are not there to help you, the clue is in the name. If anyone ever finds themself at a gateline that accepts contactless, having forgotten, or “forgotten”, to buy a ticket, it’s probably best to just tap out and get charged a maximum fare - far better than a penalty fare or settlement or prosecution. Though if you do this regularly intending to avoid full fares they will catch you.

 

[AlterEgo]

It’s the standard failed to produce a valid ticket when requested- 21 days to respond. My question is has anyone on this forum dealt with a case where the traveller wasn’t stopped but actually made a point of approaching the revenue officer. Thanks

It doesn't make any difference. The offence was committed when they boarded the train. Extremely silly to be penalty fared for not buying a ticket and then do it again.

People approach staff when they realise they can't exit a station without a ticket. You don't get credit for approaching them. That's what everyone has to do if they don't have a ticket.