Greater Anglia - Fare Evasion

[tangkush]

I got an email from greater anglia earlier this week about fare evasion/short faring my journeys. I have asked help from a solicitor seen from this forum to liaise for me hoping to achieve the least bad outcome (i.e. out of court settlement). I've sent all the trip details and the price I've paid. I've paid more trips honestly then short-fared. I don't know what I was thinking at that time but I, of course, deeply regret and am very fearful of the consequences. I was not aware of these consequences when these acts were done.

I am clinging on to the hope that there are people in this forum who have been successful in getting an out-of-court settlement.

Idk what's my real goal of posting here. I don't have anyone to talk to about it as I am very anxious about it, fearful for my job and the future.

Someone talk to me please? Can you tell me how long it took from notice letter being received to an outcome to be reached?

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

Evading rail fares is a serious matter but the good news is that Greater Anglia are one of the more pragmatic train companies to deal with and they will normally offer an out of court settlement if you co-operate with them. As you've asked for help from a solicitor you really should follow their advice but I would expect them to assist you in responding to Greater Anglia's email.

An out of court settlement is likely to cost a bit of money - expect to have to pay the cost of the fares that you have evaded at the full Anytime rate with no credit given for the invalid tickets you did purchase, so if money is tight I would start saving as soon as possible or think about how how else you can obtain it. Payment in installments isn't normally allowed.

If Greater Anglia do decide to prosecute you then a conviction for a railway ticketing matter isn't something that would normally impact future career prospects as long as you are honest about it when asked. Although I don't know any details about your case based on experience of cases I've seen on here I'd say prosecution is unlikely as long as you co-operate with them.

The whole process normally takes a few months from start to finish, it depends on their workload (they deal with hundreds of cases at a time) and we're in peak holiday season at the moment. One advantage of using a solicitor is they can sometimes get cases resolved faster than doing it yourself.

 

[tangkush]

I'd like to give an update. Good news, they agreed to settle out of court. I used a solicitor who expedited the process to about 2 days. It cost a lot of money, but I am very pleased of the outcome. I have learned my lesson and looking back, very embarrassed of my self. Some lessons have to be learned the hard way, but I still consider myself very lucky.

 

[tangkush]

Welcome to the forum!

Evading rail fares is a serious matter but the good news is that Greater Anglia are one of the more pragmatic train companies to deal with and they will normally offer an out of court settlement if you co-operate with them. As you've asked for help from a solicitor you really should follow their advice but I would expect them to assist you in responding to Greater Anglia's email.

An out of court settlement is likely to cost a bit of money - expect to have to pay the cost of the fares that you have evaded at the full Anytime rate with no credit given for the invalid tickets you did purchase, so if money is tight I would start saving as soon as possible or think about how how else you can obtain it. Payment in installments isn't normally allowed.

If Greater Anglia do decide to prosecute you then a conviction for a railway ticketing matter isn't something that would normally impact future career prospects as long as you are honest about it when asked. Although I don't know any details about your case based on experience of cases I've seen on here I'd say prosecution is unlikely as long as you co-operate with them.

The whole process normally takes a few months from start to finish, it depends on their workload (they deal with hundreds of cases at a time) and we're in peak holiday season at the moment. One advantage of using a solicitor is they can sometimes get cases resolved faster than doing it yourself.

Thank you for all your replies in all the threads I see. You kept my sanity intact through the replies.

 

[notmyrealname]

That must be a huge relief for you, well done. And thank you for letting us know.

Are you able to give us an idea of how much GA asked for to settle this please?

 

[tangkush]

That must be a huge relief for you, well done. And thank you for letting us know.

Are you able to give us an idea of how much GA asked for to settle this please?

GA seems to have gone with my calculation (or maybe I did my calculation correctly) of underpaid trips.
They did consider the payment I have have given for the trips I made.
Computation was the price of 1 anytime day ticket for each leg (return was calculated as 2 singles) x the trips I have made. Then subtracted the payments I have previously paid.
GA asked for an admin fee.

I paid the solicitor more than the fine in total. And there seems to be a good number of people who get a good outcome without involving a solicitor.
But considering my circumstances, I wanted to have the best chance of an out-of-court settlement.
The solicitor sorted it out within a day.

 

[thr0waway]

Can I ask how long from being cautioned at a train station, to receiving the letter/email?

 

[Haywain]

Can I ask how long from being cautioned at a train station, to receiving the letter/email?

As mentioned on the other thread you posted on, if you have a problem of your own please start a new thread and we can then give advice.

 

[tangkush]

Can I ask how long from being cautioned at a train station, to receiving the letter/email?

Thank you. If this question is about me, I was not cautioned at a train station. I was emailed regarding my trainline purchasing history. It only said "we have been investigating industry data and have been led to believe you are potentially not paying full fares". It sounded very generic (in fact I have seen a same letter in a different thread) but equally they would have all access to everything I have done.

I received the email Day 1 morning. I spoke to solicitor Day 1 evening. Solicitor called me Day 2 for more info. Day 3 I was offered out of court settlement. It felt much longer while afraid and anxious of the future. I am relieved it is over and I have learned my lesson.

 

[WesternLancer]

Can I ask how long from being cautioned at a train station, to receiving the letter/email?

Given the response in post #9 I suspect your case it totally different scenario (being stopped at a station without the correct ticket i am guessing is what has happened in your case) - this is why you will get best advice starting a thread on your scenario as it would be handled very differently from @thr0waway

This thread is about a case where someone has been identified with irregularities from a digital data trawl.