GTR Draft Assistance

[Oioisaveloy]

Good evening,

A friend of mine (not "a friend who is me!") has asked me to help with their response letter to GTR. Unfortunately, although I stressed it would be helpful they haven't allowed me to post a copy of their letter however it seems almost identical in structure and content to the letter in this thread. I have read some very helpful advice from various threads and have constructed a response for them based on what I've seen written here before that I would like your assistance in checking before I give it to them to print, sign and post with page 3 of the letter (by 48hr tracked post while retaining a copy for their records).

Additional information:

• The stations* where you actually started & finished your journey
  • St Albans to Blackfriars, direct
• If you presented a ticket(s), the information* stated under "Ticket type", "From", "To", "Route", and any other relevant details;
  • I believe they only had a ticket from Farringdon to Blackfriars, purchased while on the train
• What happened in any encounter with railway staff;
  • They were interviewed at the station and told they would be contacted further. They cooperated with the enquiries and did not give any false information. The incident was in late January, they received the Notice of Intention to Prosecute letter from GTR two days ago, stating that on the date in question they were in an area not designated as a compulsory ticket area, entered a train to travel and did not have a valid ticket.
• It sounds like it is likely not the first time they have shorted a fare from our conversation, however it had only happened a few times before they were caught.

Regarding an outcome, they have been worried sick since the incident and had been dreading the letter; they just want to pay what they owe and put the whole thing behind them. And they will of course be paying every fare in full in the future! I understand GTR rarely prosecute and are happy to settle if you cooperate with them, if you would be able to help me to reassure them that that is the case I know they would appreciate it.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Draft response:
Reference: GTRXXXXXXXXXX

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing in response to the letter I received on the XXth of April 2026. I am accepting full responsibility for my actions; I made an error in judgement by not having a valid ticket for my journey, which I deeply regret.

I have learned my lesson about the importance of adhering to rail regulations. I can assure you that this will never happen again. I am both disappointed in myself and deeply upset by the experience. I accept full responsibility and I am genuinely sorry.

I would be incredibly grateful if you would consider allowing me to resolve this matter without the need for court action.

I fully accept what I did was incorrect and I am prepared to co-operate and pay for the outstanding travel cost and any administrative costs the company has incurred.

Thank you for your time and consideration


Yours faithfully,
XXXX

*signature*

 

[SECR 65]

Welcome to the forum,

Please reassure your friend that cases like this are incredibly common and GTR will almost always settle out of court. Obviously there is no complete guarantee that they won't take you to court, but I can't see any realistic reason why they would choose to in this case. The primary purpose of this proceedure is to prevent people from fare evading again. They don't need to take people to court for just one offence because at this stage they can believe that you have learn't your lesson. If your friend were to be caught fare evading again, then that would be where court action becomes more likely, but still likely to be avoidable.

The letter drafted above looks good. Write something like 'please see attatched' on the original letter sent by GTR in the response space. Make sure your friend also includes their address on this seperate sheet, in case it becomes seperated from the other documentation.

 

[Oioisaveloy]

Thanks SECR 65, appreciate the advice. Printed, they've signed, taken photos and posted. Will let you know the outcome.

 

[Oioisaveloy]

Welcome to the forum,

Please reassure your friend that cases like this are incredibly common and GTR will almost always settle out of court. Obviously there is no complete guarantee that they won't take you to court, but I can't see any realistic reason why they would choose to in this case. The primary purpose of this proceedure is to prevent people from fare evading again. They don't need to take people to court for just one offence because at this stage they can believe that you have learn't your lesson. If your friend were to be caught fare evading again, then that would be where court action becomes more likely, but still likely to be avoidable.

The letter drafted above looks good. Write something like 'please see attatched' on the original letter sent by GTR in the response space. Make sure your friend also includes their address on this seperate sheet, in case it becomes seperated from the other documentation.

£71 fine, settled out of court. Delivered 4 days after the post would have arrived to them. Cheers for the help, they're feeling a lot better and have definitely learned a lesson!

 

[SECR 65]

£71 fine, settled out of court. Delivered 4 days after the post would have arrived to them. Cheers for the help, they're feeling a lot better and have definitely learned a lesson!

That's great to hear; thanks for coming back to update us on how it went!