GWR Fare Evasion

[mtbirdie123]

Good Afternoon all

Yesterday I was caught at the ticket barrier of Paddington coming from Reading for having short fared, interviewed under caution, and informed that it would be sent into the GWR Revenue Office. I had done so since I moved in with a friend temporarily in Reading while commuting to London for a summer internship. I won't justify it, the sheer magnitude of how idiotic I was acting has quickly dawned on me. I've been frankly becoming despondent at this, as I just managed to join uni again for a career change and am planning to join the foreign office, all of which would be ruined if its taken to court and I can't wholly see what to do with life if that happened. The investigation will likely take 2-3 months according to the ticket officer. How should I proceed going forward? I already bought a monthly season ticket to cover my train fare to ensure I stick to the straight and narrow

 

[SuspectUsual]

In the immediate term, (1) don’t panic, (2) buy the proper ticket from now on, (3) work out how much you might be asked for based on the standard single fare for each instance plus maybe £150 for admin, and (4) get saving if necessary

Assuming you gave GWR your correct contact details, wait till they get in touch and then come back here for advice

If you cooperate with them, it’s very likely this can be resolved outside court

 

[mtbirdie123]

In the immediate term, (1) don’t panic, (2) buy the proper ticket from now on, (3) work out how much you might be asked for based on the standard single fare for each instance plus maybe £150 for admin, and (4) get saving if necessary

Assuming you gave GWR your correct contact details, wait till they get in touch and then come back here for advice

If you cooperate with them, it’s very likely this can be resolved outside court

Thank you for the reply. Have started provisionally doing (3) and (4). Am already doing (2). (1) will take some work

I did give the correct contact details, though my driving license still had my old address which I fixed yesterday when the inspector pointed it out. I am sure that he took down my current main address, though in my mind I'm quite worried the investigation will note me being in Reading rather than where I usually live (in Oxfordshire) and think it evidence of further ill-will

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you for the reply. Have started provisionally doing (3) and (4). Am already doing (2). (1) will take some work

I did give the correct contact details, though my driving license still had my old address which I fixed yesterday when the inspector pointed it out. I am sure that he took down my current main address, though in my mind I'm quite worried the investigation will note me being in Reading rather than where I usually live (in Oxfordshire) and think it evidence of further ill-will

read this for useful background

https://www.gwr.com/-/media/gwr-sc-website/files/revenue-protection-policy/GWR-Revenue-Protection-Policy-January-2023.pdf

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

What happens is that GWR will wrote to you saying that they have received a report and are considering prosecuting but asking for you version of events before they decide how to proceed. Legally speaking they are entitled to send the case to the magistrates court if they want to but as long as you co-operate with their investigation then you should be offered an out of court settlement.

Expect to have to pay the cost of the fare avoided at the full Anytime rate, with no credit given for the invalid ticket you did purchase. In addition they will charge an admin fee, typically £150. They will also search your online purchase history and if this indicates other purchases of short tickets they will factor the cost of these into the settlement fee.

Settlements typically have to ben paid in full within a few days of them being offered so if money is tight think about how you can raise the sum required at relatively short notice.

When the letter comes, post a redacted copy of it in this thread along with your draft reply and forum members will proof read it for you.

 

[mtbirdie123]

Good Afternoon all. Been about a month and have not yet received the letter, though I understand it can take 2-3 months as the gentleman who interviewed me under caution said to me

I wanted to ask, is there currently a backlog at GWR that would lead to it potentially taking longer for it to arrive?

 

[Titfield]

Good Afternoon all. Been about a month and have not yet received the letter, though I understand it can take 2-3 months as the gentleman who interviewed me under caution said to me

I wanted to ask, is there currently a backlog at GWR that would lead to it potentially taking longer for it to arrive?

Based on what we see there are backlogs with most operators including GWR.

 

[mtbirdie123]

Good Morning,

6 months ago, I was caught short-faring by GWR between Reading and London, and was told to await the standard letter in the mail https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/gwr-fare-evasion.289231/#post-7414255

Oficially, it has been 6 months since then and no letter has arrived. Having looked through these forums, I understand that changes the dynamic somewhat. WOuld anyone be able to explain further?

 

[AlterEgo]

Good Morning,

6 months ago, I was caught short-faring by GWR between Reading and London, and was told to await the standard letter in the mail https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/gwr-fare-evasion.289231/#post-7414255

Oficially, it has been 6 months since then and no letter has arrived. Having looked through these forums, I understand that changes the dynamic somewhat. WOuld anyone be able to explain further?

Yes, it means they can't prosecute you as a criminal for the offences. What will likely happen instead is they will write at some point in the future threatening civil action to recover the losses in court. If that happens, return here for advice.

 

[Haywain]

Good Morning,

6 months ago, I was caught short-faring by GWR between Reading and London, and was told to await the standard letter in the mail https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/gwr-fare-evasion.289231/#post-7414255

Oficially, it has been 6 months since then and no letter has arrived. Having looked through these forums, I understand that changes the dynamic somewhat. WOuld anyone be able to explain further?

You posted on 11 July 2025 that you were stopped "yesterday", which means that GWR still have a couple of days to lay papers before the court. As it can take a couple of weeks for the documents to be processed and delivered, you are not in the clear just yet.

 

[mtbirdie123]

You posted on 11 July 2025 that you were stopped "yesterday", which means that GWR still have a couple of days to lay papers before the court. As it can take a couple of weeks for the documents to be processed and delivered, you are not in the clear just yet.

Ah, I mixed up the dates then. 3 more. Thank you for reminding me

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Ah, I mixed up the dates then. 3 more. Thank you for reminding me

And bear the comment in mind that

As it can take a couple of weeks for the documents to be processed and delivered, you are not in the clear just yet.

 

[mtbirdie123]

And bear the comment in mind that

Does this mean that if they decided to prosecute, and the letter comes after the 6-month point, I would still be liable?

Has that happened before with GWR?

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Does this mean that if they decided to prosecute, and the letter comes after the 6-month point, I would still be liable?

Has that happened before with GWR?

Yes. The time limit is for the prosecution to be notified to the court - not for the court to notify you.

 

[mtbirdie123]

Yes. The time limit is for the prosecution to be notified to the court - not for the court to notify you.

Well, there goes quite a bit of my anxiety coming back

Thank you for informing me nonetheless

 

[WesternLancer]

Does this mean that if they decided to prosecute, and the letter comes after the 6-month point, I would still be liable?

Has that happened before with GWR?

Yes, it' not uncommon for the railway company to note the delaine is coming up and them to issue court papers to ensure they don't miss the deadline - or to issue court papers at the same time as a letter to you asking for your version of events or an offer to settle.

Keep a close eye on your post / e-mail and spam (tho I don't believe a court would contact you by e-mail with prosecution paperwork - I would expect that to be sent hard copy)

 

[mtbirdie123]

Yes, it' not uncommon for the railway company to note the delaine is coming up and them to issue court papers to ensure they don't miss the deadline - or to issue court papers at the same time as a letter to you asking for your version of events or an offer to settle.

Keep a close eye on your post / e-mail and spam (tho I don't believe a court would contact you by e-mail with prosecution paperwork - I would expect that to be sent hard copy)

I see

Is there a point where I can breath somewhat easier would you say?

 

[z444z]

I see

Is there a point where I can breath somewhat easier would you say?

In around 2 weeks it’ll be very likely that no criminal action is being taken, in around a month it’ll be almost certain.

We have recently seen someone contact a train company, I think it was GTR, after the 6 month limit to confirm that the case had been dropped, and GTR were actually quite happy to confirm. Definitely not advisable for you yet, but if in a month it’s still stressing you out then it might be worth considering, although it does risk prompting them to start thinking about a civil claim if they aren’t already, so honestly it’s probably best if you just try to forget about it until any correspondence does arrive, if it ever does.

 

[fandroid]

GWR is a company that has been known recently to pursue unpaid fares beyond the 6-month prosecution deadline.

 

[z444z]

GWR is a company that has been known recently to pursue unpaid fares beyond the 6-month prosecution deadline.

Sorry, I meant no criminal action is being taken. Edited.

 

[AlterEgo]

GWR is a company that has been known recently to pursue unpaid fares beyond the 6-month prosecution deadline.

Yes, and they're quite lazy about getting anything done in 6 months. Expect a letter at some point this year or even next.

 

[WesternLancer]

In around 2 weeks it’ll be very likely that no action is being taken, in around a month it’ll be almost certain.

We have recently seen someone contact a train company, I think it was GTR, after the 6 month limit to confirm that no action was being taken, and GTR were actually quite happy to confirm. Definitely not advisable for you yet, but if in a month it’s still stressing you out then it might be worth considering, although it does risk prompting them to start thinking about a civil claim if they aren’t already, so honestly it’s probably best if you just try to forget about it until any correspondence does arrive, if it ever does.

This is good advice - but I note this case involves GWR. GWR have been the most prominent of all train companies in doing civil claims for losses later on after they have failed to bring a case to court within the 6 months - so I am afraid the OP needs to think that GWR taking a civil case out against them to claim fares they can detect were short fared is a distinct possibility - and they have 6 years in which to make that claim IIRC.

A civil case against you is less serious than a criminal case, and you are in a stronger position to negotiate with them over the sum involved (there are threads on here involving GWR that you could look over if you want to have a look)

Quite a long thread but it might be helpful to scan over it so you could see what may potentially happen

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/settlement-offer-over-a-year-after-the-incident.293087/

So if the railway do come back to you in future seeking money or threatening any sort of legal action come here for advise before responding to them in any way.

 

[AlterEgo]

Just to note I don't think we have seen GWR actually take anyone to County Court. Just threaten it.

 

[WesternLancer]

Just to note I don't think we have seen GWR actually take anyone to County Court. Just threaten it.

Yes, I think in all the cases that have come to the forum ultimately the passenger has paid GWR some money before it got to court - albeit in some cases with help from here the sum has been negotiated down from the sum originally demanded.

My suspicion is though that they will have taken some such civil action cases to court by now - eg where the passenger concerned has not engaged with letters they have sent out etc / buried head in sand and so on.

 

[father_jack]

Just to note I don't think we have seen GWR actually take anyone to County Court. Just threaten it.

They have, believe me.

 

[mtbirdie123]

They have, believe me.

That’s disconcerting. Would you be able to share the circumstances?

 

[AlterEgo]

They have, believe me.

We'll soon find out how many, as I have made an FOI request for this information.

 

[WesternLancer]

We'll soon find out how many, as I have made an FOI request for this information.

Helpful. Might be one for a dedicated thread in due course as we’ve only had a modest number of civil action cases iirc. GWR and maybe also an IRCAS threat of one but I’m not sure if I have recalled correctly.

 

[AlterEgo]

Helpful. Might be one for a dedicated thread in due course as we’ve only had a modest number of civil action cases iirc. GWR and maybe also an IRCAS threat of one but I’m not sure if I have recalled correctly.

Just to note GWR does not strictly need to comply with an FOI request, though they do comply with some, until such time as GBR takes them over. So we may wait a while!

 

[Neilandrewhall]

Good Afternoon all

Yesterday I was caught at the ticket barrier of Paddington coming from Reading for having short fared, interviewed under caution, and informed that it would be sent into the GWR Revenue Office. I had done so since I moved in with a friend temporarily in Reading while commuting to London for a summer internship. I won't justify it, the sheer magnitude of how idiotic I was acting has quickly dawned on me. I've been frankly becoming despondent at this, as I just managed to join uni again for a career change and am planning to join the foreign office, all of which would be ruined if its taken to court and I can't wholly see what to do with life if that happened. The investigation will likely take 2-3 months according to the ticket officer. How should I proceed going forward? I already bought a monthly season ticket to cover my train fare to ensure I stick to the straight and narrow

I work for GWR in revenue protection, so I’ll answer this as honestly as I can rather than sugar-coating it.
First off take a breath. What you’re feeling right now is extremely common after an interview under caution. People usually walk away convinced their life is about to fall apart, and in most cases it doesn’t. Short-faring is taken seriously, but it’s also something we see every single day. Being reported does not automatically mean you’re going to court. The member of staff you spoke to followed the correct process and sent the report to the GWR Revenue Office from that point it’s out of the hands of frontline staff. The 2–3 month timescale you were given is normal. It doesn’t mean they’re building some huge case against you; it’s simply how long reviews take because of workload and backlog.