Fare evasions - Invalid railcard

[lillychester]

Dear All,

On the 7th of November, I was stopped during a spot check at King’s Cross. I was interviewed under caution. My journey was from St Albans to King’s Cross using an invalid railcard. I didn’t have a railcard however claimed the discount.
I provided all the correct information.
However I have still not received a letter.
Can anyone help!?

I saw there was someone recently on the threads who was immediately referred for court proceedings.

Thank you in advance

 

[AlterEgo]

Which company stopped you? Which railcard discount did you claim? Have you ever owned that railcard?

 

[lillychester]

I was on a Thames link train.
I was travelling on a 25-30 railcard.
I have owner this railcard previously however I no longer qualify for this.
I’m not sure which company, it was at the barriers at King’s Cross. The uniform was black/grey if this helps?

 

[z444z]

Were you given anything after the interview?

 

[lillychester]

Yes I was provided with a witness statement with a reference number.
At the time of interview, they didn’t ask for an email address, only proof of address which I provided using a utility bill.

At the time of interview the officer asked me if I did have a valid railcard and I said yes, panicked. He said ok, well there’s a reference number here, if you follow the instructions and upload it here this will all disappear.

Of course that didn’t happen because I didn’t have a railcard.

The officer was actually very nice. This is all
My own wrong doing.

Does anyone know why some people receive a letter and some email?

 

[z444z]

Do you still have the witness statement? What does the reference number start with?

 

[lillychester]

I do have it some where however I seem to have misplaced it. I think it was GTMRG .. I’ve been using it as reassurance that I provided the correct information for them to contact me and now I can’t find it.

 

[Haywain]

it was at the barriers at King’s Cross. The uniform was black/grey if this helps?

You were travelling from St Albans? So this would have been at the barriers at St Pancras, not King’s Cross, and you will have been stopped by Thameslink staff.

 

[lillychester]

Yes that’s right. It was King’s Cross St pancreas.

 

[mikeg]

Yes that’s right. It was King’s Cross St pancreas.

I think there’s a little confusion here. There are two distinct railway stations, Kings Cross and St Pancras. They are very nearby. So nearby that there’s a tube station to serve both of them called Kings Cross St Pancras. So unless you were spoken to on the tube you were spoken to at St Pancras.

 

[lillychester]

Yes St Pancreas

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Feb 2026 ==

Can anyone advise? Do you think I should wait for a letter or contact the team?

 

[mikeg]

Waiting for the letter is usually advisable. You've little to gain by contacting them early.

On the contrary, you could end up incriminating yourself further. They have 6 months to lay papers before the court. There's also the (very slim) chance they run out of time to prosecute if unprompted. Why remind them of your case?

 

[lillychester]

What happens if you do not receive a letter by 6 months?

 

[Puffing Devil]

What happens if you do not receive a letter by 6 months?

Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answer.

Hopefully, Thameslink will have lost your file or run out of time to prosecute, and then you cannot be taken to the Criminal (Magistrates) Court. They could try to reclaim their losses at the Civil (County) Court.

There is also the chance that they have the wrong address for you on file, and you get prosecuted and convicted in your absence, without your knowledge. The first you'll probably know is when the bailiffs come knocking, or money starts to be taken from your salary to pay for a fine you didn't know about. Come back here for advice if this happens.

I would suggest that your chances are this: Thameslink is just slow and there's and 80% chance you'll get a letter before time runs out, 15% that it runs out of time and 5% that you're prosecuted without your knowledge.

All you can do is sit tight, wait, and try not to worry.

 

[lillychester]

I provided the correct details so hopefully the letter does arrive and I can try and reach a resolution to the matter. Thank you for the advice, really appreciated. I had to provide a utility bill as proof of address for the report.
Also prior to losing the slip, I checked it most evenings in moments of doubt to ensure it was all correct.
I just go on holiday next month for 2 weeks so I’m hoping it doesn’t arrive during that period.

 

[z444z]

I just go on holiday next month for 2 weeks so I’m hoping it doesn’t arrive during that period.

GTR generally give 14 days to respond so just check your post right before you leave and it should be fine. Unless you’ve rounded like 18 days down to 2 weeks.

 

[mn31]

Hi, if it helps the same happened to me beginning of October. I received my letter 19th January and have just settled out of court.

 

[lillychester]

Thank you so much! I appreciate that can I ask you what the turnaround time was?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Feb 2026 ==

GTR generally give 14 days to respond so just check your post right before you leave and it should be fine. Unless you’ve rounded like 18 days down to 2 weeks.

Thank you for confirming. I always thought it was 7 days to respond so that gives me enough time to respond I guess.
I’ll keep the thread posted on any other information.

 

[mn31]

Thank you so much! I appreciate that can I ask you what the turnaround time was?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Feb 2026 ==


Thank you for confirming. I always thought it was 7 days to respond so that gives me enough time to respond I guess.
I’ll keep the thread posted on any other information.

I responded on the 21st of January, their letter dated 19th January. I haven’t yet received the letter however I assume it will be with me in the next few days, as I have frequently been putting my reference number in and yesterday it came up with to settle £74. It was a one off offence. I wasn’t worried as haven’t looked at this thread it seems people were being responded to quicker after sending their letter. I had contacted GTR and they did say they were busy. I have been worrying A LOT the last month so do try not to.

 

[lillychester]

Dear All,

The letter has arrived. I would greatly appreciate any help.

Please see the attached.

Kindest Regards

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Dear All,

The letter has arrived. I would greatly appreciate any help.

Please see the attached.

Kindest Regards

If you can convince the railway that you're sorry for your mistake and you won't do it again, and if you will pay them the cost of the fare that you should have paid plus the cost of their investigation (so overall think maybe £200, but it may well be less) then there's a good chance that the railway will let you settle this case like that, and you won't have to go to court.

So write a short letter covering the points above. Our suggestion is that you should then have a look at what you're planning to say, and we'll be able to suggest any changes you need to make it even more effective.

So please get back to us once you've got a first draft for us to look at!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

@lillychester. Will inspection of your ticket purchasing history show any other instances of inappropriately discounted tickets being purchased (and used) since whenever it was that the old 26-30 railcard expired? This *may* end up increasing what you have to pay. A single, one-way, Anytime Day Single from St. Albans to London Thameslink will be £15.90. In addition there'll be an admin fee added on top.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

@lillychester. Will inspection of your ticket purchasing history show any other instances of inappropriately discounted tickets being purchased (and used) since whenever it was that the old 26-30 railcard expired? This *may* end up increasing what you have to pay. A single, one-way, Anytime Day Single from St. Albans to London Thameslink will be £15.90. In addition there'll be an admin fee added on top.

At this point, the railway aren't asking about other occasions - so our general advice at this point would be to not mention other occasions.

 

[lillychester]

Dear All,

Thank you. I have drafted the following response, please let me know your thoughts:

Dear Sir/Madam,



I am writing in response to your recent letter regarding my travel without a valid ticket.



I would like to sincerely apologise for travelling without a valid ticket and for incorrectly applying a Railcard discount when I did not hold a valid Railcard. I fully accept that this was my responsibility and that I should have ensured I had the correct ticket before boarding the train.



At the time of the inspection, I did offer to pay the full fare immediately. I now understand that this does not undo the offence, and I accept that my actions were wrong. There is no excuse for failing to purchase the correct ticket before travelling.



I am deeply remorseful for my behaviour. I had recently returned to work from maternity leave and was under financial pressure, and I made a very poor decision in trying to reduce my travel costs. I now fully appreciate that this was unacceptable and short-sighted. The potential consequences far outweigh any perceived saving, and I am extremely sorry for my actions.



This has been a significant wake-up call for me. I can assure you that this is not something I will ever repeat. I have learned a serious lesson from this experience.



I respectfully ask that you consider allowing me to resolve this matter without court proceedings. I am more than willing to pay the full outstanding fare, any administrative costs, and any reasonable settlement amount you consider appropriate.



Thank you for taking the time to consider my response. I hope you will allow me the opportunity to settle this matter directly.

 

[lillychester]

If you can convince the railway that you're sorry for your mistake and you won't do it again, and if you will pay them the cost of the fare that you should have paid plus the cost of their investigation (so overall think maybe £200, but it may well be less) then there's a good chance that the railway will let you settle this case like that, and you won't have to go to court.

So write a short letter covering the points above. Our suggestion is that you should then have a look at what you're planning to say, and we'll be able to suggest any changes you need to make it even more effective.

So please get back to us once you've got a first draft for us to look at!

Dear All,

Thank you, I have drafted the following response:

Dear Sir/Madam,


I am writing in response to your recent letter regarding my travel without a valid ticket.

I would like to sincerely apologise for travelling without a valid ticket and for incorrectly applying a Railcard discount when I did not hold a valid Railcard. I fully accept that this was my responsibility and that I should have ensured I had the correct ticket before boarding the train.

At the time of the inspection, I did offer to pay the full fare immediately. I now understand that this does not undo the offence, and I accept that my actions were wrong. There is no excuse for failing to purchase the correct ticket before travelling.

I am deeply remorseful for my behaviour. I had recently returned to work from maternity leave and was under financial pressure, and I made a very poor decision in trying to reduce my travel costs. I now fully appreciate that this was unacceptable and short-sighted. The potential consequences far outweigh any perceived saving, and I am extremely sorry for my actions.

This has been a significant wake-up call for me. I can assure you that this is not something I will ever repeat. I have learned a serious lesson from this experience.

I respectfully ask that you consider allowing me to resolve this matter without court proceedings. I am more than willing to pay the full outstanding fare, any administrative costs, and any reasonable settlement amount you consider appropriate.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my response. I hope you will allow me the opportunity to settle this matter directly.

 

[z444z]

Add the reference number at the very top.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing in response to your recent letter regarding my travel without a valid ticket.

Replace “without a valid ticket” with “on [DATE]”.

I would like to sincerely apologise for travelling without a valid ticket and for incorrectly applying a Railcard discount when I did not hold a valid Railcard.

Remove this.

I fully accept that this was my responsibility and that I should have ensured I had the correct ticket before boarding the train.

Given the paragraph below I’d suggest just removing this whole bit.

At the time of the inspection, I did offer to pay the full fare immediately. I now understand that this does not undo the offence, and I accept that my actions were wrong. There is no excuse for failing to purchase the correct ticket before travelling.

I am deeply remorseful for my behaviour. I had recently returned to work from maternity leave and was under financial pressure, and I made a very poor decision in trying to reduce my travel costs. I now fully appreciate that this was unacceptable and short-sighted. The potential consequences far outweigh any perceived saving, and I am extremely sorry for my actions.

Remove this too.

This has been a significant wake-up call for me. I can assure you that this is not something I will ever repeat. I have learned a serious lesson from this experience.

I respectfully ask that you consider allowing me to resolve this matter without court proceedings. I am more than willing to pay the full outstanding fare and any administrative costs, and any reasonable settlement amount you consider appropriate.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my response. I hope you will allow me the opportunity to settle this matter directly.

And a few more changes.

Do make these changes then post a new draft for us to double check

 

[lillychester]

Add the reference number at the very top.

Replace “without a valid ticket” with “on [DATE]”.

Remove this.

Given the paragraph below I’d suggest just removing this whole bit.

Remove this too.

And a few more changes.

Do make these changes then post a new draft for us to double check

Thank you very much for the suggestions. Please see my edits below.
I was unsure if you wanted me to remove this paragraph ‘ This has been a wake up call’


Dear Sir/Madam,



I am writing in response to your recent letter regarding my travel on the 07/11/2025.



I would like to sincerely apologise for applying a Railcard discount when I did not hold a valid Railcard.



I am deeply remorseful for my behaviour. I had recently returned to work from maternity leave and was under financial pressure, and I made a very poor decision in trying to reduce my travel costs. I now fully appreciate that this was unacceptable and short-sighted. The potential consequences far outweigh any perceived saving, and I am extremely sorry for my actions.



This has been a significant wake-up call for me. I can assure you that this is not something I will ever repeat. I have learned a serious lesson from this experience.



I respectfully ask that you consider allowing me to resolve this matter without court proceedings. I am more than willing to pay the full outstanding fare and any administrative costs you consider appropriate.



Thank you for taking the time to consider my response. I hope you will allow me the opportunity to settle this matter directly.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Mar 2026 ==

Dear All,

I need to send my letter, any further comments?
I would greatly appreciate the help and feedback.

Kindest Regards

 

[z444z]

Sorry missed this!

Latest version looks good with one exception - remove “The potential consequences far outweigh any perceived saving, and”. I think it makes it seem like you’re thinking about yourself more than the railway who will see themselves as the victim in this situation. You could just remove it, or replace it with something about how you now understand the impact fare evasion has on the railway or other passengers or something like that.

 

[lillychester]

You are very right, I’ll update it to reflect this. I really want to express to sincerest apologies to the railway but at the same time show them the lesson learnt.
Thanks so much for this

 

[z444z]

You are very right, I’ll update it to reflect this. I really want to express to sincerest apologies to the railway but at the same time show them the lesson learnt.
Thanks so much for this

No worries! Do post a final draft here in case anyone else has further feedback