GTR Notice to Prosecute - draft response

[tryinghard]

Hello,

I was on a train from London Bridge to Letchworth a couple of months ago. I was supposed to meet my friend at London Bridge but she changed the plan last minute and said she'd get on the train at Farringdon so I was a bit distracted when buying my ticket on my phone and didn't notice the transaction hadn't gone through. When the ticket inspector came round, much later, I thought I had a valid ticket and then saw that it was still on the payment screen, so I finished the transaction in front of him. I now know this isn't legal - as he told me when it flagged up as invalid - so he gave me a notice to prosecute (because "you have a previous penalty fare" from nearly two years ago when I was very ill trying to get home from the airport and couldn't find my ticket, and then when I found it I realised it was for the wrong time so I had to pay the penalty. I have ADHD and can get very confused with times and things sometimes).

This time, I was really flustered by this as I hadn't realised I was doing anything wrong, and when he asked me where I got on the train I said London Bridge because I had in my head that was where I was travelling from as I'd just been thinking about this as a separate journey, but I actually started my journey at Preston Park (near Brighton) on a paper ticket which I can't produce now because I can't find it annoyingly so I guess I shouldn't mention it. Anyway I have received the following notice to prosecute (attached).

I've drafted this, I'd really appreciate any feedback. Thank you!

DRAFT:

Dear Fare Evasion Manager,

I am writing in response to your Intention to Prosecute letter dated 27th April 2026 on the subject of an incident on 3rd February 2026, reference [ref number here].

On 3rd February 2026, I boarded a train at Preston Park station to get to London Bridge, where I was due to meet a friend and travel together to Letchworth Garden City. I bought a ticket on the TrainPal app, but my internet wasn't very good so the transaction didn't go through, but I didn't notice as I was distracted rushing for the train.

When the ticket inspector came round, I noticed the transaction hadn't gone through, and completed it in front of them. At the time, I did not realise at the time that this meant that I was committing an offence, but I know this now and I am very sorry for not having ensured I had a valid ticket before boarding the train. I know that this meant I was travelling illegally, that not knowing is not an excuse, and I understand the seriousness of this. I have now made sure that I understand what my obligations are when travelling on the rail network and since then made sure that I am following them by purchasing the correct tickets in advance of boarding the train.

I would be very grateful if you would consider settling this matter without the need for court action. I am ready to pay what I owe promptly and in full along with the cost of your investigation.

Yours sincerely,

[Name]

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Apr 2026 ==

sorry the attachments have gone up in the wrong order - but they are labelled in the right order

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Apr 2026 ==

I have edited my draft a bit based on what I've read on the forums - maybe I should leave out all this stuff about the transaction not going through and just say I didn't have a valid ticket? because the end result is the same. I just thought I should speak to the fact that I was so confident buying the ticket in front of them, but maybe that isn't information they have or need to have... and I should just apologise for not having a valid one.

NEW draft:

Dear Fare Evasion Manager,

I am writing in response to your Notice of Intention to Prosecute letter dated 27th April 2026 on the subject of an incident on 3rd February 2026, reference [ref number here].

On 3rd February 2026, I boarded a train at Preston Park station to get to London Bridge, where I planned to meet a friend and travel on together to Letchworth Garden City. I did not have a valid ticket for this journey as I failed to ensure that my online transaction had gone through before boarding the train. I understand that this means I was travelling without a valid ticket and that this is an offence.

I am very sorry about this. I understand the seriousness of what I have done and that it is unfair to the railway and its other users. I will not do this again and will always make sure to purchase the correct tickets in advance of boarding the train.

I would be very grateful if you would consider settling this matter without the need for court action. I am ready to pay what I owe promptly and in full along with the cost of your investigation.

Yours sincerely,

[Name]

 

[SECR 65]

Welcome to the forum,

Your drafts look generally good. I would suggest that you don't overdo the part where you're saying that you didn't have a valid ticket: they know this. It is however important that you tell them that you understand what you did and why it was wrong.

My personal opinion is that it's worth saying that you tried to buy a ticket and that the transaction didn't go through. It might be that they don't believe this, but you might as well include it in my eyes. I wouldn't bother talking about how you were going to meet your friend etc. You could say:

NEW draft:

Dear Fare Evasion Manager,

I am writing in response to your Notice of Intention to Prosecute letter dated 27th April 2026 on the subject of an incident on 3rd February 2026, reference [ref number here].

On 3rd February 2026, I boarded a train at Preston Park station to get to London Bridge, where I planned to meet a friend and travel on together to Letchworth Garden City. I did not have a valid ticket for this journey as I failed to ensure that my online transaction had gone through before boarding the train. I understand that this means I was travelling without a valid ticket and that this is an offence.

I began my journey at Preston Park, where I held a valid paper ticket to London Bridge. Rather than breaking my journey at London Bridge as I had originally intended, I continued on the same train, and attempted to purchase a ticket to Letchworth Garden City on my phone. Unfortunately, due to a poor internet connection, the transaction did not go through. I understand that this means my ticket was not valid and I will ensure in future to double check transactions are complete before boarding a train.

I am very sorry about this. I understand the seriousness of what I have done and that it is unfair to the railway and its other users. I will not do this again and will always make sure to purchase the correct tickets in advance of boarding the train.

I would be very grateful if you would consider settling this matter without the need for court action. I am ready to pay what I owe promptly and in full along with the cost of your investigation.

Yours sincerely,

[Name]

In my opinion you can mention that you started at Preston Park and this should seem trustworthy. I assume they have your address as being near Brighton so this would make sense to the fare evasion people. I suppose they can check CCTV at Preston Park if they really want to, if such CCTV exists. You should also be able to prove you had this ticked from your bank statement.

Other forum members with much more experience may have differing opinions.

Print off your letter on a separate piece of paper, with your name, address, and case reference number on. In the reply section of GTR’s letter, write something along the lines of ‘please see attached’. Keep a copy of everything you send to them in case you need to reference it in the future. It is wise to send your reply by tracked 48 postage so you can be certain that it reaches GTR.

 

[30907]

I agree you should mention the Preston Park ticket for clarity (and to avoid the impression of short-faring/paying when challenged).

If you have a booking reference you could quote that, though I don't think it will make a difference.