GTR Intent to Prosecute Letter Received

[oluchifavour]

Hello all,

I am new on this platform but have been following up on some posts related to my issue since December, 2024.

I traveled with invalid tickets on the 25th of November, 2024. I had a ticket from Polegate to Cooksbridge but proceeded to travel to Haywards heath and from there boarded the Thameslink train from Haywards heath to London St Pancras where I had my e-ticket inspected and because I only had a Farringdon to London St Pancras ticket. This act of mine was truly embarrassing and shameful because it is the very first time I did it.

I know that I am inexcusable for such an act but I was going through financial crisis at the time, I just finished paying my Student debt and was out of a full time job alongside other bills and family responsibilities. I normally buy my valid tickets before any journey either at the station or on the train pal app but on this occasion I was trying to cut cost because I did not have the full amount on me.

I sincerely regret my actions and would never try it again.

I have drafted a response to them and would be grateful if someone can help me have a look at it.

 

[notmyrealname]

Hi.

Could you show us their letter and your reply please? Make sure you cover up your name, address and their reference number.

 

[Gloster]

The experts will need to see all the correspondance that you have received in order to help. Please post it in this thread: obscure your name, address and any other identifying details, such as reference numbers.

 

[oluchifavour]

Dear...,
I am writing in response to your letter received on the 27th of February, 2025 regarding an incident that occured on the 25th of November, 2024 where I traveled with an invalid ticket.
I traveled on the said date without a valid ticket covering the full length of my journey from Cooksbridge to Haywards and Haywards heath to London St. Pancras. I sincerely apologize for this act and now understand the consequence and impact of my actions, on the train company, other paying customers and myself as well, as I have suffered a series of mental breakdown following this incident as it was my very first time trying such a shameful act. I have no excuse, I was going through financial crisis, student debts, family responsibilities, bills and being out of a full time job at the said time which led to me finding a way to cut costs which I should not have indulged in at all.

I deeply regret my actions, I feel ashamed for being involved in an act of fare evasion and have taken it upon myself to inform and educate my family, friends and anyone that cares to listen on the demerits of fare evasion and importance of having a valid ticket for any travel.

I am keen to resolve this issue with the need for court proceedings and would appreciate the opportunity for an out of court settlement. I am ready to pay any outstanding fares and any other administrative costs incurred by in handling this case.

Your kind consideration and support in resolving this matter amicably would be truly appreciated. I deeply regret my actions and apologize for any inconvenience this must have caused you. I would never do it again and request your support to put this behind me and positively move forward. Thank you.

Yours sincerely
.......

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Here are the documents received

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I would appreciate any input I can get at this time please

 

[notmyrealname]

You've left your full name showing on their letter, it would be a good idea to cover that up.

In your letter you say you haven't done this before but if they look back over your ticket buying history are they likely to find other occurrences of the same thing?

 

[oluchifavour]

Hello all, I have just posted the letters received, your input would be really helpful

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

You've left your full name showing on their letter, it would be a good idea to cover that up.

In your letter you say you haven't done this before but if they look back over your ticket buying history are they likely to find other occurrences of the same thing?

They would not find anything because this is the first time and the last time

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

Hello all, please any input on the draft?

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

The experts will need to see all the correspondance that you have received in order to help. Please post it in this thread: obscure your name, address and any other identifying details, such as reference numbers.

I've posted them

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

Hi.

Could you show us their letter and your reply please? Make sure you cover up your name, address and their reference number.

I've posted them

 

[30907]

Looks good, but I would leave out the bit about your mental health as it will read like a sob-story which is unavailable.

GTR will almost certainly agree to offer a settlement anyway

 

[oluchifavour]

Looks good, but I would leave out the bit about your mental health as it will read like a sob-story which is unavailable.

GTR will almost certainly agree to offer a settlement anyway

Okay, thank you so much

I would print this out today and post.

Do I have to write it out with a pen as well? Would it be wise to also send an email?

 

[Haywain]

as I have suffered a series of mental breakdown following this incident as it was my very first time trying such a shameful act. I have no excuse, I was going through financial crisis, student debts, family responsibilities, bills and being out of a full time job at the said time which led to me finding a way to cut costs which I should not have indulged in at all.

That's a lot of excuse for someone that doesn't have an excuse.

 

[oluchifavour]

That's a lot of excuse for someone that doesn't have an excuse.

Noted, I'd take the emboldened statement out. Thanks for highlighting

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

Dear....

I am writing in response to your letter received on 27th February 2025 regarding my travel on 25th November 2024 with an invalid ticket from Cooksbridge to London St. Pancras.

I sincerely apologize for my actions and the inconvenience caused. This was my first time engaging in fare evasion, and I deeply regret my decision. Although I there is no valid excuse for fare evasion, I was not in full-time work and was struggling with financial difficulties, including student debts, family responsibilities, and bills at the time which made me try cutting costs which I regret indulging in. However, I fully understand that no circumstance justifies fare evasion, and I take full responsibility for my actions.

Since the incident, I have reflected on my mistake and taken it upon myself to educate my family, friends, and others about the importance of paying the correct fare and the consequences of fare evasion. This experience has been a humbling lesson, and I am committed to ensuring it never happens again.

I am keen to resolve this matter without court proceedings and would be extremely grateful for the opportunity of an out-of-court settlement. I am ready to pay any outstanding fares and administrative costs incurred.
Your understanding and kind consideration would mean a great deal to me as I seek to move forward positively.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Yours sincerely,

 

[WesternLancer]

Okay, thank you so much

I would print this out today and post.

Do I have to write it out with a pen as well? Would it be wise to also send an email?

They won't accept an e-mail (you will get an auto reply telling you that)

You can print it out, attach it to the letter and send that, or if you have good handwriting you can write it on

Whatever you do make sure your full name and address and ref numbers are on every page

Keep copies of everything (eg a photo of everything / page you send)

When you post it send it tracked postage from a post office so you know it has got there (and can prove that if necessary)

Also - when you say nothing like this done by you before that must think back in case of things like never had a penalty fare from the Railway, and they wont ever find a ticket eg from Polegate to Cooksbridge, or to another short distance station like Berwick etc (that you can't give a legit reason for of course, as perfectly fine to buy a ticket to those places if you were actually going there of course) by trawling your on line purchases accounts (form whoever you buy tickets from - they can look at any of theme there is no data protection reason why not) - if that's in any doubt don't say it (no need to answer my question here beyond your earlier answer - I just want you to be sure yourself)

Good luck resolving this. Head back for advice as you need it.