Hi all,
I'll start this thread by holding my hands up and saying that I deliberately short-fared a journey whereby I purchased an open return ticket between Bedford and Flitwick instead of Bedford and Farringdon.
I was travelling back to Bedford when a Ticket Inspector came aboard to check for tickets. Since the train was travelling between Harlington and Flitwick at the time, I showed them my ticket but panicked and lied by saying that I had just missed my stop at Flitwick and just alighted to go return the other way. As you would expect, the inspector kept asking if I had travelled from London but I maintained my lie, remaining calm and polite throughout.
The inspector asked if I could pay there and then but the one truth is that, unfortunately, I did not have my wallet on me that day so could not do so and told that to them. As a result, the inspector issued me with a Witness Statement Receipt and said that my account would be investigated.
The context is that I have been issued a penalty fare for the same action (Bedford to Flitwick) a year previously. I had not done this again since, until recently where I gave into another lapse in judgment for a couple of recent journeys, and evidently was caught.
I know to expect a NIP letter in the post but am extremely worried about the outcome of this (sleepless nights etc) due to my previous offence.
Would GTR still be likely to offer an out of court settlement, will they be likely to investigate my travel history, and how should I respond when I receive the NIP letter? I have absolutely learned my lesson and know to obviously never do this again - I am deeply regretful of my actions and know there is no excuse and that I should not have done this.
In advance, I was planning on saying the following but understand that my response will depend on what the letter says - your suggestions are greatly appreciated:
"Dear Prosecutions Manager,
I value the opportunity you have given me to respond to the letter dated ********** with reference ************.
On Wednesday 30th April, I was stopped by a Revenue Inspection Officer between Harlington and Flitwick and was unable to produce a valid ticket for the entire duration of my journey.
I offer no excuse for the above. I entered the service at Farringdon towards Bedford. I made a short-sighted decision when not purchasing a ticket for the entire journey. When arriving at Flitwick, I panicked and told the Revenue Inspection Officer that I was only travelling between Bedford and Flitwick and had just missed my stop. In hindsight, I should have told the correct journey to the Officer and purchased the correct ticket in the first place.
I have taken time to reflect on this decision following the investigation and I won’t undertake any action like this again. I regularly use the railway for work purposes and wish to continue to contribute to the upkeep and maintenance. I understand the impact of my actions on the railway network, and the impact that fair evasion has across the industry.
I apologise wholeheartedly for my actions and for the time it has taken you to investigate and contact me. This incident has given me a wake-up call and made me realise the gravity of the mistake I made. I will ensure I always purchase the full correct ticket for any future journeys I take using the rail network.
I would be grateful for the opportunity to pay the full and correct fare for this journey and any administrative costs that I have created so that I may settle this matter without the need for court action.
Yours faithfully,"
I will post the redacted letter when it arrives.
Thanks in advance to everyone.
I'll start this thread by holding my hands up and saying that I deliberately short-fared a journey whereby I purchased an open return ticket between Bedford and Flitwick instead of Bedford and Farringdon.
I was travelling back to Bedford when a Ticket Inspector came aboard to check for tickets. Since the train was travelling between Harlington and Flitwick at the time, I showed them my ticket but panicked and lied by saying that I had just missed my stop at Flitwick and just alighted to go return the other way. As you would expect, the inspector kept asking if I had travelled from London but I maintained my lie, remaining calm and polite throughout.
The inspector asked if I could pay there and then but the one truth is that, unfortunately, I did not have my wallet on me that day so could not do so and told that to them. As a result, the inspector issued me with a Witness Statement Receipt and said that my account would be investigated.
The context is that I have been issued a penalty fare for the same action (Bedford to Flitwick) a year previously. I had not done this again since, until recently where I gave into another lapse in judgment for a couple of recent journeys, and evidently was caught.
I know to expect a NIP letter in the post but am extremely worried about the outcome of this (sleepless nights etc) due to my previous offence.
Would GTR still be likely to offer an out of court settlement, will they be likely to investigate my travel history, and how should I respond when I receive the NIP letter? I have absolutely learned my lesson and know to obviously never do this again - I am deeply regretful of my actions and know there is no excuse and that I should not have done this.
In advance, I was planning on saying the following but understand that my response will depend on what the letter says - your suggestions are greatly appreciated:
"Dear Prosecutions Manager,
I value the opportunity you have given me to respond to the letter dated ********** with reference ************.
On Wednesday 30th April, I was stopped by a Revenue Inspection Officer between Harlington and Flitwick and was unable to produce a valid ticket for the entire duration of my journey.
I offer no excuse for the above. I entered the service at Farringdon towards Bedford. I made a short-sighted decision when not purchasing a ticket for the entire journey. When arriving at Flitwick, I panicked and told the Revenue Inspection Officer that I was only travelling between Bedford and Flitwick and had just missed my stop. In hindsight, I should have told the correct journey to the Officer and purchased the correct ticket in the first place.
I have taken time to reflect on this decision following the investigation and I won’t undertake any action like this again. I regularly use the railway for work purposes and wish to continue to contribute to the upkeep and maintenance. I understand the impact of my actions on the railway network, and the impact that fair evasion has across the industry.
I apologise wholeheartedly for my actions and for the time it has taken you to investigate and contact me. This incident has given me a wake-up call and made me realise the gravity of the mistake I made. I will ensure I always purchase the full correct ticket for any future journeys I take using the rail network.
I would be grateful for the opportunity to pay the full and correct fare for this journey and any administrative costs that I have created so that I may settle this matter without the need for court action.
Yours faithfully,"
I will post the redacted letter when it arrives.
Thanks in advance to everyone.
