Fare Evasion - Southeastern

[jointhedots]

Hi there,

I was caught using the incorrect ticket at St Pancras, I had bought a ticket from Stratford when on the train when actually coming from Canterbury (peak hours). I've done this a couple of times a week for six months. I'm not proud of it, obviously, but I'm pretty broken financially at the minute, over my head, but everyone has a sob story.

When I ws caught at the station, the guy asked if Southeastern checked my account would they find I had done this before, I said yes, maybe once or twice a month. I kind of felt they could find out one way or another anyway so my lizard brain reckoned a half lie would be the way to go?

I've recieved the letter asking me to confirm my details. See attached. In terms of mitigating factors, I'm not inclined to put too much, I figure they have heard it all. Just that I confirm the details they have are correct, I apologise and I would like to settle the matter out of court including costs to Southeastern. Worth saying I have found alternative means of making the journey now?

I don't have an account with Southeastern or trainline, I just bought the tickets on the website as a guest with Apple Pay, but I'm guessing they can track this anyway with my address/credit card? Giving my alternative email address won't make any difference, I'm guessing? (not a fake address, just one that I use for signing up to mailing lists, etc)

Any point engaging with a solicitor?
When it comes to paying back Southeastern, would anyone know if this can be done via a payment plan?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

I'm sorry to hear of your financial difficulties. Based on what you've told us, you've committed a criminal offence and Southeastern are entitled to prosecute you in the Magistrates Court if they want to. The good news is they will normally offer an out of court settlement to people who co-operate with their investigation, and who haven't come to their attention before.

I suggest sending a short, concise letter that mentions:

- 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 TfL's administrative costs in dealing with the matter

If you are offered a settlement expect to have to pay the cost of the fare avoided at the full Anytime rate with no credit given for the invalid tickets you did purchase. In addition they will charge an admin fee, typically £150. Southeastern are likely to search your ticket purchase history (gues purchase doesn't anonymise this) and they will likely want to factor the cost of any other journeys where you short fared into the settlement cost.

Settlements normally have to be paid in full within a few days of them being offered, payment in installments isn't normally allowed.

If you post a draft reply in this thread forum members will proof read it for you.

 

[jointhedots]

Thank you for taaking the time to reply. Draft reply below:

"To whom it may concern,

I can confirm the events as outlined in the letter dated xx July. I understand that I have committed a criminal offence and offer my sincerest apologies.

I understand the cost that my actions cause to Southeastern, and fellow rail users, nd why Southeastern need to pursue this case.

If possible, I would like to settle the matter outside of the courts, and I wish to offer to pay the outstanding fare, along with Southeastern's administrative costs in dealing with the issue.

Regards,
xyz"

 

[Hadders]

I think this is too bried and comes across as a bit insincere.

You should menion where you traveled from, and that you'd only purchased a ticket from Stratford International to St Pancras. You'll see lots of different examples in this section of the forum you can base your reply on.

 

[jointhedots]

Apols for typos in the above , very sticky keyboard!

Thanks for the advice, I know where you're coming from! I'm worried about coming across like I'm mkaing excuses for myself, or over-doing it on the apologies after the fact, when i knew what I was doing was wrong, I was just desperate.

I will have a dig around for some other examples and repost something

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Do not start a formal letter "To whom it may concern" Write "Dear Sir" or whoever has signed the letter.

If you are offered an out of court settlement; given that you've evaded the fare at least 50 times (twice a week for 6 months as you say), that's around £4,000 worth of fares you've avoided by my reckoning (single fare circa £50). Add to that administrative costs etc. so you will need to find this sort of money quickly

BTW Canterbury West has ticket barriers - how have you been able to enter the platform without a ticket?