GWR Fare Evasion

[MrJeeves]

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.

OP was interviewed in July 2025, so much of this isn't of use to them anymore.

 

[Neilandrewhall]

OP was interviewed in July 2025, so much of this isn't of use to them anymore.

Ah sorry. Didn't see the original date

 

[matt1402]

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.

Hi, I was wondering if you could answer this question for me or provide me with some guidance. Yesterday I was caught shortfaring (stupid of me I was in a rush and thought I was being clever). I originally tried to blag my way out but gave in and cooperated fully. Gave all my details and had to leave as I was late for work. I asked the inspector about what would happen and he only said about an £80 admin fee and full singe fare price. Do I have anything else to worry about like a criminal record or larger fine? As you can imagine I am quite worried. I emailed the prosecutions department and they said that once I paid the fine it would be a closed matter, but the incident hadn’t yet been reported to them by the inspector so they couldn’t quote me a timescale or price. Since I am cooperating fully and have confessed are they more likely to opt for an out of court settlement?
Thanks

 

[WesternLancer]

Deleted. Posted in wrong thread.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Jan 2026 ==

Hi, I was wondering if you could answer this question for me or provide me with some guidance. Yesterday I was caught shortfaring (stupid of me I was in a rush and thought I was being clever). I originally tried to blag my way out but gave in and cooperated fully. Gave all my details and had to leave as I was late for work. I asked the inspector about what would happen and he only said about an £80 admin fee and full singe fare price. Do I have anything else to worry about like a criminal record or larger fine? As you can imagine I am quite worried. I emailed the prosecutions department and they said that once I paid the fine it would be a closed matter, but the incident hadn’t yet been reported to them by the inspector so they couldn’t quote me a timescale or price. Since I am cooperating fully and have confessed are they more likely to opt for an out of court settlement?
Thanks

Hi. Best you start your own thread for this. In the meantime best not to contact GWR any further about this yet. Wait for them to contact you.

 

[jumble]

They have, believe me.

Can you assist as to how much the quantum of their claims was.
I have my doubts that GWR are going to civil court for small amounts

 

[father_jack]

Can you assist as to how much the quantum of their claims was.
I have my doubts that GWR are going to civil court for small amounts

I can't assist further. The FOI request made further up the thread is indeed the way forward though.

 

[mtbirdie123]

To update, it has now been bit above 2 weeks since the specific 6-month date, and have not as of yet received any court summons or further correspondence from GWR. Am naturally still paying close attention in case anything changes, and am extremely grateful for the advice given by everyone here. Will update again in the (reasonably likely) case that they follow up on a civil basis

 

[WesternLancer]

To update, it has now been bit above 2 weeks since the specific 6-month date, and have not as of yet received any court summons or further correspondence from GWR. Am naturally still paying close attention in case anything changes, and am extremely grateful for the advice given by everyone here. Will update again in the (reasonably likely) case that they follow up on a civil basis

If GWR then a follow up for civil action is a genuine possibility. It could be ages before you hear tho so if you move address you may want to ensure you have a postal redirect in place.

 

[Mattplans]

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

Have you received a response?