Fare evading process, please help!

[bluehair]

Hey,

I made a stupid decision of not getting a ticket as I was running late to catch my train. I bought the ticket on trainline later, approx 3 stops away from the final stop (I live cca 15 stops from the final destination). I won’t try to pain a sob story here, but I have not been paid for last month so I was genuinely living on the remaining few pounds, hence my decision, I’m an idiot for even trying. I know.The officer obviously figured it out and printed the long orange ticket. She did say some other things but I genuinely spiraled into anxiety and did not catch a word.

Reading stuff online, it makes me feel worse. Am I going to court over this and get a criminal record? I don’t have any previous fines or records, nor have I ever short ticketed before. This was a one-off instance, as I don’t take the train more than once a month.

Could someone advise me of a realistic situation please? What should I do?

 

[MikeWh]

PLease take a look at the pinned thread https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/please-read-before-posting-in-disputes-prosecutions.77759/ and provide more details so we can assist meaningfully.

 

[Pushpit]

Could someone advise me of a realistic situation please? What should I do?

Yes you will need to give us more to work with to get specific and useful advice. And a copy of the orange slip with your personal information and reference numbers redacted would be most useful.

However from the sounds of it you were not intercepted by Transport for London, and the other rail companies will give you an opportunity to settle out of court, so long as you correctly and honestly engage with them, and so long as you haven't had another incident with them recently. Try not to worry too much, yes you will need to get this fixed and it certainly will be expensive relative to the original fare, but it will be sorted out in due course. Part of this process can be slow, that's just how it goes, but it's another reason not to let this consume you.

 

[bluehair]

Here’s the ticket attached. I originally entered at Greenwich station, exited at London Bridge to get on a train to Luton. While there is a direct train between Greenwich and Luton, I stepped off at LB to meet my friend and get on the next one. On the ticket it says LB to Luton as the lady asked me where did I board this train, but now looking back I should’ve said Greenwich as I changed trains.
I bought the ticket as she was approaching me because I panicked, I know now I should’ve not done that (I bought a ticket from St Albans as we just passed it, heading to Luton). She immediately said this is a fraud attempt and began listing me my miranda rights, and I stayed quiet at that and began panicking. She said I may face a criminal charge and a fine of £1k. She printed this orange ticket but I honestly don’t recall anything she said as I freaked out.

Also, in the last year, I’ve been on approx 20 train journeys, all of which are different lengths in different parts of the UK (I don’t take public transport often at all). I don’t short ticket or take this journey at all.

I’m not sure if there’s any information I’m missing out - thanks everyone for your help, I’ve been reading the forum and stressing mad since last night.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 May 2025 ==

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[WesternLancer]

Here’s the ticket attached. I originally entered at Greenwich station, exited at London Bridge to get on a train to Luton. While there is a direct train between Greenwich and Luton, I stepped off at LB to meet my friend and get on the next one. On the ticket it says LB to Luton as the lady asked me where did I board this train, but now looking back I should’ve said Greenwich as I changed trains.
I bought the ticket as she was approaching me because I panicked, I know now I should’ve not done that (I bought a ticket from St Albans as we just passed it, heading to Luton). She immediately said this is a fraud attempt and began listing me my miranda rights, and I stayed quiet at that and began panicking. She said I may face a criminal charge and a fine of £1k. She printed this orange ticket but I honestly don’t recall anything she said as I freaked out.

Also, in the last year, I’ve been on approx 20 train journeys, all of which are different lengths in different parts of the UK (I don’t take public transport often at all). I don’t short ticket or take this journey at all.

I’m not sure if there’s any information I’m missing out - thanks everyone for your help, I’ve been reading the forum and stressing mad since last night.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 May 2025 ==

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Did you give them a correct postal address where you can be reached over coming weeks and months? It's vital you receive the letter they will send you and respond to it. You will get advice here on how to respond and what to say.

have a look at other threads involving Thameslink to get an idea of how this will play out and how you can act to prevent it going to court.

Different circumstances but this is a thread that will give you an idea if you look over it

GTR Notice of Intention to Prosecute

I’ve just received a Notice of Intention to Prosecute from GTR, and I’m really stressed about it. I was caught traveling with a discounted ticket that needed a 26-30 Railcard, which I don’t have. This happened because I’d recently bought a ticket for my sister on my Trainline account, and her...

www.railforums.co.uk

Even if it went to court the punishment is a court fine of 'up to £1000' but it would be very unlikely the fine would reach that sum.

 

[Pushpit]

Just to reiterate, this particular train company won't take you to court so long as you engage with them fully and honestly. Wait untll the letter comes through - this could be a multiple weeks and then send an apologetic reply, assuming it's the standard notice of intended prosecution. You have to attend to the details seriously, so it's not a trivial issue, but equally so long as you do there won't be any serious ramifications, based on what you have said here. Come back here when the letter arrives and we can advise more precisely. By all means look at some of the other Thameslink / GTR threads to get an idea what a suitable letter back to GTR could say, though it is best it comes out in your own words.

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

Just to be clear, you travelled from Greenwich to Luton but purchased a ticket from St Albans to Luton when the inspector appeared. This is a criminal offence and GTR are entitled to send the case to the Magostrates Court if they want to.

The good news is they will normally offer an out of court settlement to people who co-operate with them, and haven't come to their attention before. When their letter arrives post a redacted copy of it in this thread along with your dradft reply to it and we can assist with proof reading.

GTR will be able to access your journey history so will quickly become aware if you have done this sort of thing before. If they do offer you a settlement expect to have to pay the cost of all the journeys at the full Anytime rathe with no credit given for invalid tickets purchased. They will also ask you to pay an admin fee, typically £150.

Settlements have to be paid in full within a few days of them being offered - payment in installments isn't allowed so if money is tight it is worth starting to save now.

 

[bluehair]

Hi, looking for advice, I received this letter today.
I didn’t have a valid ticket when entering the train, I ran into it just in time to catch it to get to the airport. I entered at Maze Hill, but since they don’t have the barriers I was able to get through without tapping my card. I should’ve bought it as soon as I was on it. Once the inspection came, I panicked and bought a ticket going from Maze Hill to Luton airport, but the officer was able to see the time and that I had just bought it, too. She rightfully accused me of evading fare and printed a witness statement ticket. I plan on fully admitting my fault, and I have never tried to evade a fare. In Scotland where I live its common to buy a ticket from the staff on train or on the train, so I did at the time thought it would be OK. I know I should’ve checked this before and that it’s fully my fault . This is what it says on the following page:

Details of offence(s):


On the below date you were spoken to regarding the following alleged offence(s):


• That you on 30 Apr 2025, Did enter a train for the purpose of travelling on the railway, and upon inspection at Harpenden (HPD); did not produce a valid ticket entitling travel.

I would appreciate it if someone could check the following letter I plan on sending to Govia. I would also appreciate if someone has any idea of a possible outcome? I’m very anxious at the thought of paying £1000 or getting a criminal offence over something like this.
****

Dear member of the prosecution team(not sure who I’m addressing),

I am very sorry for my actions on the 30th of April and take the full blame for it. I did not have a valid ticket on me at the time of the inspection, and I understand the gravity of this situation. I made a lapse of judgement which I terribly regret. I have since then purchased a valid railcard to use on all of my journeys. I kindly ask you to consider settling this out of court.

Kind regards,
name lastname
****

I had a quick scroll through this forum; I’m not sure if I should say something more, does it sound sincere enough?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Oh and I also did purchase a railcard, which I have been purchasing for the last few years. Do I need to send proof of that?

 

[John R]

A few inconsistencies that are worth exploring:-

You say you live in Scotland but put London down on your profile?

You say in the post you didn’t realise you can’t buy on board, but in your draft say it was a lapse of judgement, which would normally be taken as meaning you knew what you were doing is wrong. Which is true?

Why are you mentioning anything to do with a railcard, when from your description of the incident, the lack of a railcard was not a contributory factor? It sort of implies you have now bought a railcard to make fares cheaper and save money, which people who have often been caught fare evading say as evidence they will pay for their tickets in future.

 

[bluehair]

A few inconsistencies that are worth exploring:-

You say you live in Scotland but put London down on your profile?

You say in the post you didn’t realise you can’t buy on board, but in your draft say it was a lapse of judgement, which would normally be taken as meaning you knew what you were doing is wrong. Which is true?

Why are you mentioning anything to do with a railcard, when from your description of the incident, the lack of a railcard was not a contributory factor? It sort of implies you have now bought a railcard to make fares cheaper and save money, which people who have often been caught fare evading say as evidence they will pay for their tickets in future.

Hi, thanks for your response. So I am from Scotland but have moved down to London.
And I was going to say ‘a lapse of judgement’ as I doubt they’d care that I didn’t know about the rules? I was reading a few threads on the forum and have the feeling it’s better to say it’s my fault as opposed to say “i didn’t know, it’s not my fault” kind of thing, not sure if it makes sense. I don’t want them to think I’m blame shifting or trying to evade a punishment.
And as for the rail card - my thinking was that it makes me look like I’m willing to buy the right tickets, but maybe I should leave that one out? Since it didn’t matter at all. The inspector did scan my railcard at the time which was valid, but that was not the issue. Thank you!

 

[MotCO]

I have since then purchased a valid railcard to use on all of my journeys.

A bit pedantic, but for some journeys, railcards cannot be used. I don't think mentioning a railcard adds anything to your response.

and I understand the gravity of this situation

Maybe insert 'now' before 'understand', otherwise it could be read that you always knew how grave the situation was, but still did not buy a ticket.

Overall, the letter does feel a bit short, and therefore could come across as insincere. Indeed, I did not see any apology, or expression of sorrow. Maybe start by recapping, briefly, the incident which took place, and that you did not realise you need to have a ticket before boarding since where you previously lived, you could buy on board. Apologise, and ask if they would consider settling this matter out of Court. Don't forget to quote your case reference.

Look at similar posts, and their draft responses.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi, looking for advice, I received this letter today.
I didn’t have a valid ticket when entering the train, I ran into it just in time to catch it to get to the airport. I entered at Maze Hill, but since they don’t have the barriers I was able to get through without tapping my card. I should’ve bought it as soon as I was on it. Once the inspection came, I panicked and bought a ticket going from Maze Hill to Luton airport, but the officer was able to see the time and that I had just bought it, too. She rightfully accused me of evading fare and printed a witness statement ticket. I plan on fully admitting my fault, and I have never tried to evade a fare. In Scotland where I live its common to buy a ticket from the staff on train or on the train, so I did at the time thought it would be OK. I know I should’ve checked this before and that it’s fully my fault . This is what it says on the following page:

Details of offence(s):


On the below date you were spoken to regarding the following alleged offence(s):


• That you on 30 Apr 2025, Did enter a train for the purpose of travelling on the railway, and upon inspection at Harpenden (HPD); did not produce a valid ticket entitling travel.

I would appreciate it if someone could check the following letter I plan on sending to Govia. I would also appreciate if someone has any idea of a possible outcome? I’m very anxious at the thought of paying £1000 or getting a criminal offence over something like this.
****

Dear member of the prosecution team(not sure who I’m addressing),

I am very sorry for my actions on the 30th of April and take the full blame for it. I did not have a valid ticket on me at the time of the inspection, and I understand the gravity of this situation. I made a lapse of judgement which I terribly regret. I have since then purchased a valid railcard to use on all of my journeys. I kindly ask you to consider settling this out of court.

Kind regards,
name lastname
****

I had a quick scroll through this forum; I’m not sure if I should say something more, does it sound sincere enough?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Oh and I also did purchase a railcard, which I have been purchasing for the last few years. Do I need to send proof of that?

Draft needs a bit more work.

At least make a clear offer to pay any fare owed and their administration costs.

Btw even if you had bought ticket directly after boarding that would not help. You need to buy before boarding. Their ticket scanners would have flagged it as bought too late even then so you would still be facing same situation.

Good advice above on how to sort the draft out.

 

[FuzzyDuck]

Not the first time the OP has been caught in similar circumstances, could this go against them when trying to get a settlement offer?

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/fare-evading-process-please-help.285595/

 

[MotCO]

Not the first time the OP has been caught in similar circumstances, could this go against them when trying to get a settlement offer?

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/fare-evading-process-please-help.285595/

Given this earlier case, the 'I didn't realise I could not buy on board' rings a bit hollow.

 

[John R]

Worth noting too that this particular incident occurred on the day before the OP made their first thread. So they were already aware of a second incident.

 

[skyhigh]

Not the first time the OP has been caught in similar circumstances, could this go against them when trying to get a settlement offer?

I'm pretty sure that thread is the same event - the MG11 slip there is also dated 30/04 at 1920hrs and issued near Harpenden.

 

[John R]

I'm pretty sure that thread is the same event - the MG11 slip there is also dated 30/04 at 1920hrs and issued near Harpenden.

The first thread said:-

I originally entered at Greenwich station

Whereas this one says:-

I entered at Maze Hill,

so you can see why there is some confusion!