GTR Intention to Prosecute - response help

[FF90]

Hi all
Like many others I have received a Notice of Intention to Prosecute from GTR. I was caught short faring a few months ago and the letter arrived yesterday. I am sorry to say this is not the first time I have done it but they have only referred to one incident in their letter and therefore I am only planning to respond to that specific incident in my response, I would appreciate advice on whether that is the right approach as if they look at my ticket history they will find this 30+ times. I do understand this was completely wrong and have genuinely bought full price tickets every time I have travelled since the incident 3+ months ago.

I have attached images of the letter I received and here is my suggested response. Any suggestions or advice gratefully received.

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing in response to the Notice of Intention to Prosecute dated 10th July, Reference (redacted) Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to respond.

On 31st March 2025, I travelled from Haywards Heath to City Thameslink but had purchased a ticket from Blackfriars to City Thameslink and was therefore unable to produce a valid ticket. There is no excuse for this, and I deeply regret doing so. The experience has been very distressing and I am genuinely sorry for not having purchased a valid ticket.

I take full responsibility for my actions and realise this was foolish and unacceptable. I know that not paying the full fare is both disrespectful to everyone who does pay the correct amount and also harms the rail industry. I was shocked to learn the amount that rail evasion costs the industry and understand the significant knock-on effect this must have.

I regret my actions and will not repeat them. Since the incident on the 31st March, I have purchased the correct ticket for every journey without fail and will absolutely continue to do this from now on whenever I travel by train.

I kindly ask for the chance to resolve this issue without the need for court action. I would welcome the opportunity to pay the outstanding fare and any administrative costs from this incident.

Thank you for your consideration on this matter.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi all
Like many others I have received a Notice of Intention to Prosecute from GTR. I was caught short faring a few months ago and the letter arrived yesterday. I am sorry to say this is not the first time I have done it but they have only referred to one incident in their letter and therefore I am only planning to respond to that specific incident in my response, I would appreciate advice on whether that is the right approach as if they look at my ticket history they will find this 30+ times. I do understand this was completely wrong and have genuinely bought full price tickets every time I have travelled since the incident 3+ months ago.

I have attached images of the letter I received and here is my suggested response. Any suggestions or advice gratefully received.

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing in response to the Notice of Intention to Prosecute dated 10th July, Reference (redacted) Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to respond.

On 31st March 2025, I travelled from Haywards Heath to City Thameslink but had purchased a ticket from Blackfriars to City Thameslink and was therefore unable to produce a valid ticket. There is no excuse for this, and I deeply regret doing so. The experience has been very distressing and I am genuinely sorry for not having purchased a valid ticket.

I take full responsibility for my actions and realise this was foolish and unacceptable. I know that not paying the full fare is both disrespectful to everyone who does pay the correct amount and also harms the rail industry. I was shocked to learn the amount that rail evasion costs the industry and understand the significant knock-on effect this must have.

I regret my actions and will not repeat them. Since the incident on the 31st March, I have purchased the correct ticket for every journey without fail and will absolutely continue to do this from now on whenever I travel by train.

I kindly ask for the chance to resolve this issue without the need for court action. I would welcome the opportunity to pay the outstanding fare and any administrative costs from this incident.

Thank you for your consideration on this matter.

Welcome

General format of your reply looks ok. You may want to wait a bit before posting this eg on Monday for others to check.

Post it tracked so you can prove they received it if you need to be able to.

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

You aren't required to incriminate yourself in your reply but GTR will likely search your online purchase history and look to factor the other instances of short faring into the settlement offer.

 

[FF90]

Welcome to the forum!

You aren't required to incriminate yourself in your reply but GTR will likely search your online purchase history and look to factor the other instances of short faring into the settlement offer.

Thank you. And do you think the letter looks ok?

 

[Hadders]

Thank you. And do you think the letter looks ok?

Looks ok to me.

 

[FF90]

Hi everyone. I have now received an email from the GTR Fraud department. I have copied the letter I received below. I have seen a few different ways of responding to this on the forum - some that identify the number of times I think I have avoided fares, and some asking for them to provide the information for me to verify. Is there generally a better way of doing this? I have drafted the below as a response but would appreciate advice on whether I should be providing more details / the number of journey's where I have short-fared or whether I can wait for them to send me their information. Thank you for your help in advance.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

To The Fraud Investigation Department. Govia Thameslink Railway

I am writing to apologise and take accountability for not travelling with a correct ticket on 31st March and for the other fares I have avoided.

I deeply regret doing this and fully recognise the severity of my actions. I recognise the significant impact it has on railway companies and how unfair it is to other passengers who are paying the correct fare. I have absolutely learnt my lesson and will not be repeating my this behaviour again. Since the 31st March I have always bought the correct ticket for my journeys, as I of course always should have been, and will continue to do so from now on.

I would be incredibly grateful if you would allow me to settle this matter with GTR by paying everything that I owe, as well as any of your administrative costs that this investigation has incurred for you.

Again, I am very sorry for my actions and want to assure you of my willingness to cooperate with GTR to pay what I owe.

Thank you for your consideration.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The email attachment:

Dear XXXX

Please DO NOT Ignore This Letter
I am contacting you in relation to the statement you gave to a Revenue Officer on XXX at XX station.

You were found not to be in possession of a valid rail ticket for your journey between XX & XX and were subsequently interviewed under caution. An investigation undertaken by GTR’s Fraud Department has established that you avoided rail fares on multiple dates.

Travel Fraud costs the rail industry over £240 million per year and Govia Thameslink Railway has a zero-tolerance approach to fare evasion on our network. We always ask the courts to impose the maximum penalty for offenders, which can include the following:

- A Criminal Record
- Fine of up to £1000
- Prison Sentence
- Suspended Sentence
- Community Service
- Compensation
- Costs

I would like to discuss the matter further with you and would therefore request that you respond to this letter within 7 days using the email address above. Failure to respond to this letter will result in your case being referred to the Prosecutions Department.

Yours sincerely,

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi everyone. I have now received an email from the GTR Fraud department. I have copied the letter I received below. I have seen a few different ways of responding to this on the forum - some that identify the number of times I think I have avoided fares, and some asking for them to provide the information for me to verify. Is there generally a better way of doing this? I have drafted the below as a response but would appreciate advice on whether I should be providing more details / the number of journey's where I have short-fared or whether I can wait for them to send me their information. Thank you for your help in advance.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

To The Fraud Investigation Department. Govia Thameslink Railway

I am writing to apologise and take accountability for not travelling with a correct ticket on 31st March and for the other fares I have avoided.

I deeply regret doing this and fully recognise the severity of my actions. I recognise the significant impact it has on railway companies and how unfair it is to other passengers who are paying the correct fare. I have absolutely learnt my lesson and will not be repeating my this behaviour again. Since the 31st March I have always bought the correct ticket for my journeys, as I of course always should have been, and will continue to do so from now on.

I would be incredibly grateful if you would allow me to settle this matter with GTR by paying everything that I owe, as well as any of your administrative costs that this investigation has incurred for you.

Again, I am very sorry for my actions and want to assure you of my willingness to cooperate with GTR to pay what I owe.

Thank you for your consideration.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The email attachment:

Dear XXXX

Please DO NOT Ignore This Letter
I am contacting you in relation to the statement you gave to a Revenue Officer on XXX at XX station.

You were found not to be in possession of a valid rail ticket for your journey between XX & XX and were subsequently interviewed under caution. An investigation undertaken by GTR’s Fraud Department has established that you avoided rail fares on multiple dates.

Travel Fraud costs the rail industry over £240 million per year and Govia Thameslink Railway has a zero-tolerance approach to fare evasion on our network. We always ask the courts to impose the maximum penalty for offenders, which can include the following:

- A Criminal Record
- Fine of up to £1000
- Prison Sentence
- Suspended Sentence
- Community Service
- Compensation
- Costs

I would like to discuss the matter further with you and would therefore request that you respond to this letter within 7 days using the email address above. Failure to respond to this letter will result in your case being referred to the Prosecutions Department.

Yours sincerely,

I suppose the question is if they have identified multiple occasions if at this stage there is any benefit in asking them for a breakdown/ list so you can check against your own records. Or person this later depending on what sum they ask you for.

Others may have helpful thoughts on that aspect re the reply to this.

 

[Haywain]

if at this stage there is any benefit in asking them for a breakdown/ list so you can check against your own records.

I think it is too soon for that, better to wait and see how things progress.

 

[WesternLancer]

I think it is too soon for that, better to wait and see how things progress.

Thanks. Good point. Agreed

 

[FF90]

Thanks for your replies, so would you say the above response is ok to go with for now?

 

[Hadders]

GTR's letter says they want to discuss the case with you. This will be to agree how many times you've evaded the fare etc so a settlement value can be calculated.

You might help things, and prevent having to have a conversation with them, if you check your own online ticket purchasing account and say something like:

I've checked my online ticket purchasing account and believe that between xx/xx/xx and yy/yy/yy I failed to ay the correct fare on zz occasions.

 

[MotCO]

The GTR letter implies that they want to meet with you to discuss the case. The general consensus on this forum is to try to avoid meetings since it is too easy to slip up and incriminate yourself, so try to do everything to avoid having to attend a meeting. Responding along the lines Hadders suggests is probably the best approach.

 

[FF90]

Ok thank you for advice, I will amend and include my travel history. Fingers crossed

 

[HappyFace]

HI FF90, please could you share with us any update on the letters

 

[Hadders]

HI FF90, please could you share with us any update on the letters

Please start your own thread if you are in need of assistance and forum members will be happy to assist.