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GTR - Fare Evasion

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MyMateMorris

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16 Feb 2022
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Guildford
Hi All,

I hope you've all has a nice Christmas. I received a Notice Of Intent To Prosecute on the 24th December. I have now written my response and am keen for your input.

Embarrassingly this is now the second time I have had this letter. The last was in Early 2022 and when question this time around I initially engaged then walked away from the officer then came back. Really stupid I know. So clutching at strawers for this one.

I really have learnt my lesson this time as I was still a minor the last time, but have now come to realise the seriousness of this as I would like to immigrate in the coming years - I'm guessing probably should mention that?

Any help is much appreciated.
Cheers
-------------------

Dear Fare Evasion Manager,

I am writing in response to your letter dated 22.12.2025, Reference xxxxxx. This is regarding the incident that took place at Gatwick Airport on the 9th September around 9:50am.

Firstly, I would like to start by apologising to you and Govia Thameslink Railway for traveling without a valid ticket and for the time and resources that have been spent on dealing with this matter.

On the day in question, I was travelling from Horsham to Gatwick, and my details were taken by a Revenue Protection Officer when I was unable to present a valid ticket for the full journey. I had purchased two separate tickets—one from Horsham to Littlehaven and another from Three Bridges to Gatwick—in an attempt to avoid paying the full fare. I acknowledge that when first questioned by your officer I did not fully cooperate but I soon recognised the seriousness of fare evasion and the importance of compliance, and promptly provided my details.

I fully accept, with no excuses whatsoever, that my actions were dishonest and unacceptable, and is solely my responsibility. Since this incident, I have taken good care to always buy a valid ticket for the complete journey, and I can firmly assure you that this incident will never be repeated.

I am truly sorry for my actions and for the revenue loss they caused to Govia Thameslink Railway and the wider rail network. I now appreciate how seriously fare evasion is treated and the harm it does to services relied upon by many passengers. I now also fully understand the long-term consequences of such actions on my future opportunities.

I therefore ask kindly if you would please consider resolving this matter without the need for court action. I am committed to covering any costs that Govia have incurred, in addition to paying any outstanding fares and fees.

I deeply regret my actions and appreciate your time in reviewing my request.

Thank you for your consideration.

Yours sincerely
xxxx

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Sorry should have proof read that message to you guys first. Should be - I'm guessing I probably shouldn't mention that?
 

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RailUK Forums

z444z

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What happened in 2022 - what was the incident and what was the outcome?
 

ChilliSauce

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Would it be right to assume you reached an "out of court" settlement last time in 2022?

I think the first question that needs to be understood is if GTR associate you this time with the last time you was caught fare evaiding and IF this time they decide to prosecute you in court can they make reference to the earlier incident?
 
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John R

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6,094
Another thing which might influence their decision whether to prosecute is whether they find other examples of potential short faring on your account. And if so how far back it extends towards the previous instance you refer to.
 

MrJeeves

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Senior Fares Advisor
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On the day in question, I was travelling from Horsham to Gatwick, and my details were taken by a Revenue Protection Officer when I was unable to present a valid ticket for the full journey. I had purchased two separate tickets—one from Horsham to Littlehaven and another from Three Bridges to Gatwick—in an attempt to avoid paying the full fare. I acknowledge that when first questioned by your officer I did not fully cooperate but I soon recognised the seriousness of fare evasion and the importance of compliance, and promptly provided my details.
All of this hassle to save a whole £1.60 (or less if you have a Railcard)? I think it would be safe to say you didn't learn your lesson from your last offence in 2022.

Anyway, I think that your draft is sensible, and I agree that you shouldn't mention your previous encounter in your reply, but you also shouldn't lie and pretend that it was the first time this has happened.

Since this incident, I have taken good care to always buy a valid ticket for the complete journey, and I can firmly assure you that this incident will never be repeated.
Hopefully you didn't say this in your last reply to GTR!
 

30907

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I think you could cut the paragraph (#3) which Mr Jeeves has quoted on the basis that GTR know already :). But the letter is fine otherwise.
 

MyMateMorris

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Location
Guildford
I think you could cut the paragraph (#3) which Mr Jeeves has quoted on the basis that GTR know already :). But the letter is fine otherwise.
Thanks for the reply, are you saying to remove the whole of paragraph three as they already have that info?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

All of this hassle to save a whole £1.60 (or less if you have a Railcard)? I think it would be safe to say you didn't learn your lesson from your last offence in 2022.

Anyway, I think that your draft is sensible, and I agree that you shouldn't mention your previous encounter in your reply, but you also shouldn't lie and pretend that it was the first time this has happened.


Hopefully you didn't say this in your last reply to GTR!
i know it's embarrassing really. I have really learnt my lesson now though, it's just not worth it.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

What happened in 2022 - what was the incident and what was the outcome?
Pretty much the same thing, got given an out of court settlement.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Anyway, I think that your draft is sensible, and I agree that you shouldn't mention your previous encounter in your reply, but you also shouldn't lie and pretend that it was the first time this has happened.
How do you suggest I go about this as I haven't lied and said this was my first time?
 
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MrJeeves

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How do you suggest I go about this as I haven't lied and said this was my first time?
I think you should just send it as-is.

If they haven't seen your past offence, they won't change anything.

If they have, your comment that it won't happen again will be meaningless anyway.
 

ChilliSauce

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How do you suggest I go about this as I haven't lied and said this was my first time?
Your fare evasion back in 2022 which I assume was short fareing using tickets bought on an App with an account.

This time around ...circa 3 years later and caught again short fareing would that be with the same App and the same account ? Because if it was GTR will almostly find your history of earlier Out of Court Settlement ...

All this, potentially now getting a Criminal Record for the sake of circa £1.60
 

John R

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1 Jul 2013
Messages
6,094
Any update on your fare evasion?
The OP is still engaging with us regarding their query. If you have a problem of your own then please start a new thread and we will endeavour to assist you. (Please provide all the information requested in the pinned thread in the Disputes board.)
 

MyMateMorris

New Member
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16 Feb 2022
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4
Location
Guildford
I think you should just send it as-is.

If they haven't seen your past offence, they won't change anything.

If they have, your comment that it won't happen again will be meaningless anyway.

Hi MrJeeves,

Do you think I should keep this part?
I had purchased two separate tickets—one from Horsham to Littlehaven and another from Three Bridges to Gatwick—in an attempt to avoid paying the full fare
or shall I leave it out?
 
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