GTR Witness Notice

[qpqq]

I was travelling to central london yesterday when I was stopped by a RPO. I bought a ticket from closer to the station (short faring which I now deeply regret) and the RPO eventually issued a witness notice to me. When should I expect a letter to arrive? How likely will they check the cctv to confirm which station i actually got in? And will I be convicted? Thanks.

 

[30907]

I was travelling to central london yesterday when I was stopped by a RPO. I bought a ticket from closer to the station (short faring which I now deeply regret) and the RPO eventually issued a witness notice to me. When should I expect a letter to arrive? How likely will they check the cctv to confirm which station i actually got in? And will I be convicted? This is my first (and last) being caught. Thanks.

The letter may take some weeks - you are not the only one to try cheating
It is unlikely that they will check CCTV (I presume there was some reason that your journey was flagged up?) but they will almost certainly check your purchase history to see how many times you have short-fared, and that may affect the amount they offer by way of a settlement.
That said, provided you engage with them, GTR seem to settle 99.9% of the time, so you are extremely unlikely to end up in court.
Please come back for more advice when the letter arrives.

 

[qpqq]

Thanks for your reply. Just wondering if GTR would connect with Trainline/Trainpal/ other platforms to retrieve purchase history?

 

[WesternLancer]

Welcome to the forum

I was travelling to central london yesterday when I was stopped by a RPO. I bought a ticket from closer to the station (short faring which I now deeply regret) and the RPO eventually issued a witness notice to me.

When should I expect a letter to arrive?

See this case for an idea of a timeline https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/prosecution-from-govia-thameslink.282995/
here is an example from last year that I noted:

- the person (OP) was stopped on or around 1 Nov 2024
- The OP got the letter from GTR / Thameslink on 21 Jan 2025 (so a lot longer than after 14 days!)
- The OP replied to that letter around 24 Jan 2025
- The OP was offered an Out of Court settlement and paid it on 12 March

Whole process took just over 4 months which included the Christmas holiday period.

How likely will they check the cctv to confirm which station i actually got in?

Probably not - they will look at other evidence - eg your address, or ask you to tell them honestly and if they don't believe you then the chances of prosecution are higher than if you are honest and co-operate with them

And will I be convicted?

If the prosecute you yes, you would be convicted, as it is strict liability offence. Your objective should be to seek to resolve it out of court by co-operating with them (see other threads on how to do this)

This is my first (and last) being caught. Thanks.

But is it the first time you have evaded the fare is this way? they will trawl your online purchasing record to look for anything they regard as suspicious and may ask you about it. they may make paying for new tickets a condition of any settlement out of court if you manage to persuade them to offer one.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Sep 2025 ==

Thanks for your reply. Just wondering if GTR would connect with Trainline/Trainpal/ other platforms to retrieve purchase history?

Yes, potentially any and all of them - this is routine process for them from what we see on here - if you have been doing this for a while it increases the prospects of them doing this and charging you for completely new tickets at the punitive Anytime Single fare price.

If your digital fingerprints are there they can find them if they opt to look.

 

[AlterEgo]

Thanks for your reply. Just wondering if GTR would connect with Trainline/Trainpal/ other platforms to retrieve purchase history?

They have done so before. They don't seem to do so every time.

 

[qpqq]

thanks all for your reply. Just for more context, I bought a ticket from my home station (station A) to my final destination (station B) on trainline with a cheaper railcard tier (stupid mistake). As I arrive at station B, I saw some RPOs were inspecting tickets so I quickly bought a short fare ticket from the closest station (station c) to station B to hopefully get out of the station. I was stopped by a RPO and he suspected I was short faring since the ticket was bought after I arrived at station B. He asked where I was travelling from and I lied station C (I panicked and now I know it was a stupid mistake and deeply regret). He issued me a GTR witness notice and said there will be a letter to ask for my side of story.

When the letter arrives, should I focus on my willingness to accept any fare/charges and hope for out-of-court settlement? Or should i also include the detail story?

I am really ashamed of what I did and I am willing to do/pay whatever needed to get a settlement offer.

 

[Trainman40083]

thanks all for your reply. Just for more context, I bought a ticket from my home station (station A) to my final destination (station B) on trainline with a cheaper railcard tier (stupid mistake). As I arrive at station B, I saw some RPOs were inspecting tickets so I quickly bought a short fare ticket from the closest station (station c) to station B to hopefully get out of the station. I was stopped by a RPO and he suspected I was short faring since the ticket was bought after I arrived at station B. He asked where I was travelling from and I lied station C (I panicked and now I know it was a stupid mistake and deeply regret). He issued me a GTR witness notice and said there will be a letter to ask for my side of story.

When the letter arrives, should I focus on my willingness to accept any fare/charges and hope for out-of-court settlement? Or should i also include the detail story?

I am really ashamed of what I did and I am willing to do/pay whatever needed to get a settlement offer.

Just remember, a trawl of your online ticket purchase data always seem to show what happened.

 

[WesternLancer]

thanks all for your reply. Just for more context, I bought a ticket from my home station (station A) to my final destination (station B) on trainline with a cheaper railcard tier (stupid mistake). As I arrive at station B, I saw some RPOs were inspecting tickets so I quickly bought a short fare ticket from the closest station (station c) to station B to hopefully get out of the station. I was stopped by a RPO and he suspected I was short faring since the ticket was bought after I arrived at station B. He asked where I was travelling from and I lied station C (I panicked and now I know it was a stupid mistake and deeply regret). He issued me a GTR witness notice and said there will be a letter to ask for my side of story.

When the letter arrives, should I focus on my willingness to accept any fare/charges and hope for out-of-court settlement? Or should i also include the detail story?

I am really ashamed of what I did and I am willing to do/pay whatever needed to get a settlement offer.

Study some other threads whilst you wait for their letter.

You must not lie in your reply but you don’t need to actively confess to things they don’t ask you about.

 

[qpqq]

thanks for your replies. I am still waiting for the letter (appreciate the back log and timeline from other posts). Just thinking if there will be a chance of lost letter? And how can I defend myself for not receiving the letter? I double checked the address of my witness notice is correct. Thanks

 

[WesternLancer]

thanks for your replies. I am still waiting for the letter (appreciate the back log and timeline from other posts). Just thinking if there will be a chance of lost letter? And how can I defend myself for not receiving the letter? I double checked the address of my witness notice is correct. Thanks

I wouldn’t be concerned about this until at least 4 to 6 weeks since you were stopped. Check e mail and spam too

If you want to see if your post is generally reliable buy a second class stamp and post yourself a letter and see if it turns up and how long it takes. Ideally post it from a different town to where you live.

 

[MotCO]

thanks for your replies. I am still waiting for the letter (appreciate the back log and timeline from other posts). Just thinking if there will be a chance of lost letter? And how can I defend myself for not receiving the letter? I double checked the address of my witness notice is correct. Thanks

There's not much you can do. Contacting them without knowing the case reference number (which would be given in the letter, so you won't have one) would only complicate things - they won't find it easy to match your letter with your case without the case reference.

There is always the chance that they will forget about you, or they may be too late to take you to Court (6 months for most cases).

If their first letter goes astray, there will probably be a second letter. You will have the chance to say that you did not receive the first letter, particularly if you fully engage with them. Please come back here with any letters you receive before you respond - you will get good advice here on how you should reply.

 

[Camsus]

There's not much you can do. Contacting them without knowing the case reference number (which would be given in the letter, so you won't have one) would only complicate things - they won't find it easy to match your letter with your case without the case reference.

The reference number begins with 'GTREMG' and is stated on the witness statement receipt that the OP should have been given when they were questioned

 

[qpqq]

Thanks all for the reply above. It has been almost three months and I am still waiting for the letter. I read other posts and seems it takes around 4-4.5 months for the letter to arrive? Advice from other posts is to wait for the letter, thinking if I engage GTR earlier by providing the ref no. on my witness statement and politely ask for an update, will I get any merit?

 

[30907]

Thanks all for the reply above. It has been almost three months and I am still waiting for the letter. I read other posts and seems it takes around 4-4.5 months for the letter to arrive? Advice from other posts is to wait for the letter, thinking if I engage GTR earlier by providing the ref no. on my witness statement and politely ask for an update, will I get any merit?

It won't reduce the amount they offer - and it might remind them of your existence. I would keep schtumm.

 

[Elecman]

Thanks all for the reply above. It has been almost three months and I am still waiting for the letter. I read other posts and seems it takes around 4-4.5 months for the letter to arrive? Advice from other posts is to wait for the letter, thinking if I engage GTR earlier by providing the ref no. on my witness statement and politely ask for an update, will I get any merit?

That’s action is not in your best interest

 

[qpqq]

thanks. While I am waiting for the letter, I am thinking of drafting my responses so I am have it handy when the letter arrives.

For full transparency, I travelled on 16-17 saver, but I only have a valid 25-20 railcard. This happened around 10 times and since the incident in Sep, I have always purchased the right ticket on 25-30 type.

I will wait till the letter comes but just want to draft the letter first.

 

[Elecman]

Don’t mention anything they don’t specifically ask about in thier letter

 

[WesternLancer]

When I draft the letter, should I mention the fact that I travelled from Bexley and I hold a valid 25-30 railcard (instead of 16-17 saver)?

Potentially yes. It may demonstrate you are being honest with them which generally helps your case.

Do I need to attach my railcard copy to the letter? Thanks a lot

That nay be a good idea to do, tho you probably need to address the issue of using the 16-17 one instead eg you ‘apologise for such an error of judgement in not using the correct Railcard’ as I assume this was deliberate.

I will wait till the letter comes but just want to draft the letter first.

Worth getting something ready I suspect.

 

[abondonedseagu]

I was travelling to central london yesterday when I was stopped by a RPO. I bought a ticket from closer to the station (short faring which I now deeply regret) and the RPO eventually issued a witness notice to me. When should I expect a letter to arrive? How likely will they check the cctv to confirm which station i actually got in? And will I be convicted? Thanks.

Have you received your letter yet? I got caught short faring 1st September by GTR and haven’t received a letter yet, checked my witness statement and address and everything is right.

 

[z444z]

Have you received your letter yet? I got caught short faring 1st September by GTR and haven’t received a letter yet, checked my witness statement and address and everything is right.

That isn’t surprising, it can take months, sometimes nearly 6 months. Do nothing in the meantime, just wait. If you have any further questions please don’t reply here, start your own thread, as it gets confusing advising multiple people in the same thread.

 

[qpqq]

No I haven’t received mine as well, but I want to just draft my response and have to handy once I receive it.

So to summarise, I made two mistakes 1) bought 16-17saver despite I hold valid 26-30 railcard 2) lied I boarded the train from London Bridge but in fact it was a further station with Southeastern (second leg with GTR).

Please see my response below and grateful if you can let me know if any thoughts on it.

Also I might need to be out of town in Jan for a week, should I include my email and ask if I can be contacted via email going forward? And should I print out my railcard (QR code from the app) and attach in case they look at my trainline and see I bought 26-30 tickets after the incident (which is valid)

—
Dear Sir/Madam,



I am writing in response to your correspondence regarding the incident on (DATE xxx) at City Thameslink Station (Ref: xxx).



I would like to begin by offering my sincere and unreserved apologies. I take full responsibility for travelling without a valid ticket. On the date in question, I was travelling from xxx to City Thameslink, changed at London Bridge. I was unable to produce a valid ticket upon request by a Revenue Protection Officer at City Thameslink. Although I hold a valid 26–30 Railcard (please see attached), I irresponsibly purchased a 16–17 Saver ticket. Immediately prior to being approached by the Revenue Protection Officer, I purchased a full-price ticket from London Bridge to City Thameslink. I fully acknowledge that my actions were unacceptable, improper, and completely my own fault.

I recognise the seriousness of fare evasion, including its financial impact on the rail industry and the unfairness it causes to other passengers who pay the correct fare. I deeply regret my conduct and the distress it has caused. Since then, I have taken considerable care to ensure that all tickets I purchase are valid for my journey, and I remain committed to upholding this standard at all times going forward.

I wish to assure you of my full cooperation and would be sincerely grateful to be given the opportunity to resolve this matter by way of an out-of-court settlement. I am willing to pay the outstanding fare and any administrative costs you deemed appropriate.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours faithfully,
—-

 

[MotCO]

No I haven’t received mine as well, but I want to just draft my response and have to handy once I receive it.

So to summarise, I made two mistakes 1) bought 16-17saver despite I hold valid 26-30 railcard 2) lied I boarded the train from London Bridge but in fact it was a further station with Southeastern (second leg with GTR).

Please see my response below and grateful if you can let me know if any thoughts on it.

Also I might need to be out of town in Jan for a week, should I include my email and ask if I can be contacted via email going forward? And should I print out my railcard (QR code from the app) and attach in case they look at my trainline and see I bought 26-30 tickets after the incident (which is valid)

—
Dear Sir/Madam,



I am writing in response to your correspondence regarding the incident on (DATE xxx) at City Thameslink Station (Ref: xxx).



I would like to begin by offering my sincere and unreserved apologies. I take full responsibility for travelling without a valid ticket. On the date in question, I was travelling from xxx to City Thameslink, changed at London Bridge. I was unable to produce a valid ticket upon request by a Revenue Protection Officer at City Thameslink. Although I hold a valid 26–30 Railcard (please see attached), I irresponsibly purchased a 16–17 Saver ticket. Immediately prior to being approached by the Revenue Protection Officer, I purchased a full-price ticket from London Bridge to City Thameslink. I fully acknowledge that my actions were unacceptable, improper, and completely my own fault.

I recognise the seriousness of fare evasion, including its financial impact on the rail industry and the unfairness it causes to other passengers who pay the correct fare. I deeply regret my conduct and the distress it has caused. Since then, I have taken considerable care to ensure that all tickets I purchase are valid for my journey, and I remain committed to upholding this standard at all times going forward.

I wish to assure you of my full cooperation and would be sincerely grateful to be given the opportunity to resolve this matter by way of an out-of-court settlement. I am willing to pay the outstanding fare and any administrative costs you deemed appropriate.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours faithfully,
—-

I think that this reply is fine. At the risk of being over-critical, the only observation I have is that the language used is a bit unusual and may sound a bit false, (e.g.

I remain committed to upholding this standard at all times going forward.

but if that is your normal language, then that's fine.

 

[qpqq]

do you think I can include my email address in the response and ask if future correspondences can be sent there? And should I include my valid rail card to show that i purchased valid tickets after the incident? Thanks

 

[WesternLancer]

do you think I can include my email address in the response and ask if future correspondences can be sent there?

There's no harm in asking but it may not happen so you need to have a system in place to receive hard copy post (do you have a reason for it e.g. you are going to be out of the UK / away from your postal address? - if so explain that. GTR seem to be wedded to doing most of this by hard copy

And should I include my valid rail card to show that i purchased valid tickets after the incident? Thanks

not sure if any benefit in doing this or not.

 

[Trainman40083]

There's no harm in asking but it may not happen so you need to have a system in place to receive hard copy post (do you have a reason for it e.g. you are going to be out of the UK / away from your postal address? - if so explain that. GTR seem to be wedded to doing most of this by hard copy


not sure if any benefit in doing this or not.

Wouldn't hurt to include the reference number. Maybe that they have diaried the expiry date

 

[WesternLancer]

Wouldn't hurt to include the reference number. Maybe that they have diaried the expiry date

Good ideas. That would be the railcard serial number ?

 

[Trainman40083]

Good ideas. That would be the railcard serial number ?

I think so.

 

[qpqq]

hi all, I received the letter and looks like it is standard? Can I add the below to my draft letter posted on 19 Dec? Or is it unusual? I will be out of town in last week of Jan

—-
I understand that statutory notices may be needed by post, however I will be out of town for some time in January and would be grateful if correspondences could also be sent to my email address xxx for timely responses. I am keen to resolve the matter with Govia Thameslink Railway. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

 

[z444z]

I understand that statutory notices may be needed by post, however I will be out of town for some time in January and would be grateful if correspondences could also be sent to my email address xxx for timely responses. I am keen to resolve the matter with Govia Thameslink Railway. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

I’d suggest giving them the dates you will be away, and asking them to either correspond via email, or take into account the time you will be away when setting a deadline for you to respond via post.

 

[qpqq]

thanks, do i need to return the letter GTR sent me? Or only the letter I wrote?