Govia thameslink- no railcard

[gyokered33]

Afternoon all,
I was recently met by a revenue protections officer at the city thameslink.
He asked me to produce a railcard for my ticket from Redhill upon which i got flustered and stated i has left it at home’ something which was untrue because i did not have an active railcard at the time. After a back and forth.. he asked for personal details of which i provided fake ones and then let me through. This was an orange slip saying i had 21 days to upload a valid railcard. the address and name etc can easily be linked through my trainline app and therefore i feel it’s probably easier to own up to it now instead of waiting for the letter. Does anyone have any advice of who i need to contact to 1) own up about the false details 2) ensure this matter is settled out of court as this would absolutely destroy my career.
Please advise

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Sep 2025 ==

Afternoon all,
I was recently met by a revenue protections officer at the city thameslink.
He asked me to produce a railcard for my ticket from Redhill upon which i got flustered and stated i has left it at home’ something which was untrue because i did not have an active railcard at the time. After a back and forth.. he asked for personal details of which i provided fake ones and then let me through. This was an orange slip saying i had 21 days to upload a valid railcard. the address and name etc can easily be linked through my trainline app and therefore i feel it’s probably easier to own up to it now instead of waiting for the letter. Does anyone have any advice of who i need to contact to 1) own up about the false details 2) ensure this matter is settled out of court as this would absolutely destroy my career.
Please advise

I was interviewed under caution for the details and didn’t realise what a stupid error i was making at the time. Right now my priority is to ensure its all settled out of court when it does eventually come through

 

[MotCO]

Failing to give your address is an offence it its own right. Giving a false address probably falls under the same category. They probably took details of your ticket so probably can link it back to you.

I would be tempted to write back, apologising for your error, and asking if the matter can be settled out of Court. Remember to quote any reference numbers given to you.

The best outcome would be a settlement of around £175 for admin costs plus the full cost of the ticket for the journey you took.

Please feel free to post a draft copy of your response before sending it.

 

[Camsus]

Afternoon all,
I was recently met by a revenue protections officer at the city thameslink.
He asked me to produce a railcard for my ticket from Redhill upon which i got flustered and stated i has left it at home’ something which was untrue because i did not have an active railcard at the time. After a back and forth.. he asked for personal details of which i provided fake ones and then let me through. This was an orange slip saying i had 21 days to upload a valid railcard. the address and name etc can easily be linked through my trainline app and therefore i feel it’s probably easier to own up to it now instead of waiting for the letter. Does anyone have any advice of who i need to contact to 1) own up about the false details 2) ensure this matter is settled out of court as this would absolutely destroy my career.
Please advise

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Sep 2025 ==


I was interviewed under caution for the details and didn’t realise what a stupid error i was making at the time. Right now my priority is to ensure its all settled out of court when it does eventually come through

You could email

Afternoon all,
I was recently met by a revenue protections officer at the city thameslink.
He asked me to produce a railcard for my ticket from Redhill upon which i got flustered and stated i has left it at home’ something which was untrue because i did not have an active railcard at the time. After a back and forth.. he asked for personal details of which i provided fake ones and then let me through. This was an orange slip saying i had 21 days to upload a valid railcard. the address and name etc can easily be linked through my trainline app and therefore i feel it’s probably easier to own up to it now instead of waiting for the letter. Does anyone have any advice of who i need to contact to 1) own up about the false details 2) ensure this matter is settled out of court as this would absolutely destroy my career.
Please advise

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Sep 2025 ==


I was interviewed under caution for the details and didn’t realise what a stupid error i was making at the time. Right now my priority is to ensure its all settled out of court when it does eventually come through

It's up to you, but I would be inclined to contact GTR's prosecutions via email, quoting the ref number on the orange slip you were given. I think it would definitely go in your favour to tell them your correct details and apologise for not being honest in the first instance.

gtr.prosecutions@gtrailway.com

 

[John R]

If you do email that address, which I agree is sensible, stick purely to correcting your details and apologising for giving the wrong ones. Don’t get into any more detail ie apologising for not having a railcard, asking for a settlement etc, as that email address is not to be used for that type of correspondence.

 

[gyokered33]

I’ve written to them last week and they haven’t responded with anything nor a letter through the correspondence address i’ve provided to them.. is it worth giving them a call?

 

[WesternLancer]

I’ve written to them last week and they haven’t responded with anything nor a letter through the correspondence address i’ve provided to them.. is it worth giving them a call?

No because it’s not very likely you can even get through on the phone. It may be some time before they reply to you.

 

[gyokered33]

Good evening,
Today i received this letter in the post, this is the first time i have been provided such a letter therefore what would be the best response to this?
I plan for a career in finance and therefore a criminal prosecution would ruin my career before i have the chance to start it. i have been seeing a few members of different forums get served a SJP and i really don’t want it to get to this. I need to at at all costs avoid this route and therefore am asking for advice to what to respond to this letter.
Thank you for all help in advance

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Dec 2025 ==

letter received is attached below.
Again thank you for all help

 

[WesternLancer]

Good evening,
Today i received this letter in the post, this is the first time i have been provided such a letter therefore what would be the best response to this?
I plan for a career in finance and therefore a criminal prosecution would ruin my career before i have the chance to start it. i have been seeing a few members of different forums get served a SJP and i really don’t want it to get to this. I need to at at all costs avoid this route and therefore am asking for advice to what to respond to this letter.
Thank you for all help in advance

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Dec 2025 ==

letter received is attached below.
Again thank you for all help

If it’s at all costs then have you considered using a solicitor with expertise in this area to help you? Might cost in the region of £500+ in legal fees plus whatever the railway want paying. We can give names of a few solicitors who specialise in this area and get mentioned on this forum positively by people who have used them.

Or do you want to try to resolve it yourself? If so lots of examples in other threads of how to reply to this sort of letter.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Or do you want to try to resolve it yourself? If so lots of examples in other threads of how to reply to this sort of letter.

To amplify this a little: this letter doesn't mean that GTR have decided to prosecute you - it just means that they might (although from their point of view it's useful to alarm you a bit). Generally, we find that a courteous, short(ish) letter admitting that you were in the wrong and promising not to do it again will get GTR to let you settle out of court for the train fare plus their admin costs - which keeps you out of court so no criminal prosecution (although as a health warning, we've seen a couple of cases in the last few days where they may be taking a tougher line: we haven't yet seen enough to know if GTR have got firmer or are just trying to beat a deadline).

As @WesternLancer says, have a look around the forum for the sort of thing we mean: if you would like us to look at what you are going to send, we'll try to make suggestions if it needs improving.

 

[anonymousdxb]

If this were my position, I would respond as the letter and forum request (an honest and apologetic explanation). Then, depending on the TOC's response, consider private legal advice.

The reason I say this is that legal advice may not be required since the TOC might read your apology and give you an out-of-court settlement. My opinion, based on this letter and their behaviour in the past, is that they wouldn't send this letter if they had already decided to prosecute: they are asking for your side of the story. This means that you can still compel them not to prosecute by sending a good apology and saying that you are keen to settle out of court (cha-ching for the TOC!). This route is much cheaper than looping lawyers in at this stage as it might be premature/unnecessary, but will certainly be costly (e.g. £500 pounds of legal costs to secure a £200 out-of-court settlement, which the TOC might have offered you anyway).

Also, it seems like they don't think/know you have a history of fare evading, so it might be even more straightforward to secure a settlement.

 

[gyokered33]

Good Morning all,
I am going to write my response to them today? What should be included within the letter? and also my
plan of action is to respond to the letter, wait it out and see what response i get. If the response is a SJP then i will enquire and most likely end up getting a lawyer.
Thank you all in advance for the help

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Good Morning all,
I am going to write my response to them today? What should be included within the letter? and also my
plan of action is to respond to the letter, wait it out and see what response i get. If the response is a SJP then i will enquire and most likely end up getting a lawyer.
Thank you all in advance for the help

Have a look at the section in italics in this post: https://www.railforums.co.uk/posts/7557395/

That's some excellent general advice that @Hadders came up with a while back.

 

[MotCO]

Draft your response and post on here - a second pair of eyes and the experts on here will let you know if you are hitting the right note. It's best to avoid AI and write it in your own words - it will come across as more sincere.

 

[gyokered33]

I am writing in response to your letter dated 22 December 2025.

I would like to sincerely apologise for the offence committed on 12 September 2025. I fully accept responsibility for my actions and regret the impact they may have had.

At the time of the incident, I purchased a ticket using a railcard while not holding a valid railcard. This occurred during a period of significant personal and financial pressure, as I was preparing for my wedding and had recently started a new job. While this provides context to my actions, I fully understand that it does not excuse them, and I acknowledge that the ticket was therefore invalid.

I also regret that when questioned at the time, I initially provided incorrect personal details. This was a result of poor judgement under stress, and I quickly sought to rectify this by contacting GTR prosecutions with my correct details at the earliest opportunity.

Since the incident, I have taken steps to ensure full compliance with rail travel requirements. I have purchased a valid railcard and will ensure that all future travel is conducted correctly.

I respectfully ask whether you would consider resolving this matter by way of an out-of-court settlement. I am fully prepared to pay any outstanding fares, costs, or administrative fees promptly upon request. A court prosecution would have serious and lasting consequences for my career, which I only recently began in September 2025, as well as my personal and financial circumstances.


I would like to once again express my sincere apology for my actions. I can assure you that this will not be repeated, and I would be extremely grateful for your consideration.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Dec 2025 ==

The above version was refined by AI. The below is my own written version. Please advise which is better and any amendments required.

I am writing this letter in response to your communication sent to me on 22 December 2025.

I would first like to express my sincere apologies for the offence I committed on 12 September 2025. I cannot take my actions back; however, I have had time to reflect on what I have done and the potential effects of my actions on the wider rail community. I can only express how apologetic I am for my actions.

On 12 September 2025, I purchased a train ticket with a railcard without holding a valid railcard. My intention was not to avoid paying for a ticket and arose during a period of financial difficulty at the time. However, regardless of my intentions, I understand that not holding a valid railcard meant that my ticket was not valid, and I apologise unreservedly for this.

When the incident occurred, it was during a month in which I was due to get married and had also just begun a new job, and I was therefore under a significant amount of stress and financial pressure. Whilst none of this absolves me of my offence, it affected my mindset when responding to questions during the interview under caution. I regret that I initially provided incorrect personal details and did not properly consider the consequences of my actions. I contacted GTR prosecutions shortly afterwards to provide my correct details in order to rectify this, and I also purchased a railcard to ensure that all future travel would be valid. Whilst this does not change my actions on the day in question, I hope it demonstrates my commitment to ensuring all future travel is correct and compliant.

I am prepared to pay any outstanding amounts owed to GTR in order to resolve this matter without court proceedings. A court prosecution would have a serious detrimental effect on my career and personal life, particularly as I only recently began my current role in September 2025, and would place me under further financial difficulty. I am willing to pay any outstanding fares, costs, or administrative fees at your earliest request and would be extremely grateful if you would consider an out-of-court settlement.

Finally, I would like to once again apologise for my actions and assure you that this will not be repeated. I can only promise that I will do better going forward.

 

[MotCO]

Edit: Commented on before you released the non-AI version

Your letter seems fine - it doesn't waffle and appears sincere.

A couple of minor details - include your reference number at the top in the subject line, and also add Dear Sir, Yours faithfully.

Send your letter ' Signed For' - this will give you the assurance it arrived safely. https://www.royalmail.com/sending/uk/signed-for-1st-class

Lastly, it is good you have bought a railcard, but please put a reminder on your phone / diary etc just before it expires so that you can renew it in time - no-one else will remind you.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Dec 2025 ==

I personally think that your second letter is better - it may not be quite as polished as the AI version, but it seems more honest and sincere. But wait for others to comment.

 

[z444z]

Imo both are a bit too long. I think the first is better (despite AI being used, I do wonder if we’re forgetting how to use our brains ) but still has some unnecessary bits. The last paragraph can be removed entirely, the letter should end with the request for a settlement. They haven’t yet asked about any previous occurrences so you need to be careful not to imply that there aren’t any, but also don’t bring their attention to them. You should attach proof of your valid railcard. Also no need to refer to it as an offence! I’ve made some edits:

REFERENCE:

I am writing in response to your letter dated 22 December 2025 regarding my travel on 12th September 2025.

I would like to sincerely apologise for travelling without a valid railcard. I also regret that when questioned I did not give my correct personal details. This was a result of poor judgement under stress, and I quickly sought to rectify this by contacting GTR with my correct details at the earliest opportunity.

Since the incident, I have purchased a valid railcard (evidence attached) and have set a reminder to renew it to ensure that it is valid for all of my journeys. I can assure you that this will not happen again.

I would be very grateful if this matter could be resolved by way of an out-of-court settlement, and I am prepared to promptly pay any outstanding fares, costs, or administrative fees.

[FORMAL SIGN OFF]

 

[anonymousdxb]

I agree - non AI version sounds more 'real'.

I would start with 'To whome this may concern', 'dear sirs' is outdated.

I wouldn't say impact it 'may' have had, because, in their opinion, you've robbed the taxpayer so it has had an impact. (same for 'potential effects of my actions on the wider rail community'). Also, your intention was to not pay for a valid ticket in that it wasn't an accident, and you were trying to save a bit of moola, so I wouldn't say that it was not your intention. (Not trying to shame you, I truly don't think this type of offence is the worst thing in the world. I was in a similar position to you, and I have since surveyed a lot of people I know of varying ages and incomes and very few of them could say that they have never ever done anything like this!)

I also am torn about whether to mention the wedding. One could read it as having spent money on items which are not a legal requirement while dodging money that you were legally obligated to pay for. I'm not sure though, the reader might be a 'Matrimonialist'! It's also perhaps not strictly relevant.

I would date and attach these details: 'I quickly sought to rectify this by contacting GTR prosecutions with my correct details at the earliest opportunity on 1 December 2025 (email attached)'.
Also, these: 'I have purchased a valid railcard and will ensure that all future travel is conducted correctly (see attached for newly purchased railcard)'.

IMHO, I agree with @z444z's opinion that it is slightly too long/waffly, but I think their draft is too short. I do think you need to grovel a bit and explain yourself, since you are effectively begging them not to prosecute you when they are in fact within time and entitled to prosecute.

Also, I would not say fares, or costs as it suggests this might have happened before, which might prompt them to pull up your Trainline history or whatever. Also, I wouldn't say that you are prepared to pay literally any sum they offer (though, I understand you're desperate to get this matter resolved without criminal proceedings, so maybe you would be. But basically, I'm thinking maybe to like say the same sentiment but not give them the idea to extort you!).

Maybe something like the following:

[REFERENCE NUMBER and FULL NAME in bold]

To whom this may concern,
I am writing this letter in response to your communication on 22 December 2025 regarding my travel on 12 September 2025.

I would first like to express my sincere apologies for the offence I committed on 12 September 2025 of travelling without a railcard. It was a decision I made in poor judgement without reflection and regard for its implications on the taxpayer, rail companies and wider society. I made a terrible decision in a period of unexpected stress and financial difficulty; I cannot take my actions back so I can only express how apologetic I am for my actions and that it will never happen again.

Secondly, I regret that I initially provided incorrect personal details. Again, this was an extremely poor decision made due to panic and without regard to its consequences. Immediately afterwards, I contacted GTR Prosecutions to provide my correct details (see attached email correspondence). I have also purchased a railcard and will ensure all future travel is paid for correctly (please see railcard attached). Whilst this does not change my actions on the day in question, I hope it demonstrates my commitment to always paying the correct fares going forward.

Finally, I would be very grateful to be able to resolve this matter out of court. I am prepared to pay the outstanding amount owed to GTR promptly. A court prosecution would have a serious detrimental effect on my new career and would place me under further financial difficulty. As such, I am willing to pay the outstanding fare and costs that GTR might have incurred to deal with this matter at your earliest request.

I would like to once again apologise for my actions and assure you that this will not be repeated.

Kind regards,

[FULL NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS]