Help - Witness report receipt Thameslink

[Vinuthag90]

HI,
My anxiety has been eating me up since today morning receiving an witness report receipt, could someone help me with correct method and response

I was intending to catch the 07:49 LNER train from Peterborough to London and had purchased a valid ticket for that journey. Unfortunately, I missed the train by one minute, even though I had already scanned my ticket at the barrier. If I had wanted to avoid checks, I could have gone through the side as some people do, but I chose to scan my ticket properly.


As I still needed to reach work on time, I boarded the 07:55 Thameslink service to Farringdon. Having run for the train, I was flustered and attempted to buy a ticket on board. I was unable to book my usual anytime single ticket, and in my rush I did not realise this was because I was trying to book it for the same train. Instead, I purchased a Stevenage–Farringdon ticket, as that is where Trainline often applies a legal split save to reduce the cost. In my haste, however, I mistakenly booked it for the wrong date (Saturday). I also sometimes book via Stevenage so that, if the Thameslink is delayed, I can switch to an LNER service from there.


While I was still trying to purchase my usual anytime ticket for the rest of the journey, the inspector approached around five minutes after departure. I showed her both my valid LNER ticket (already used at the barrier) and the Stevenage ticket, to demonstrate that I was not attempting to avoid paying. Only when she pointed it out did I realise the Stevenage ticket was dated incorrectly. I now understand that by showing that ticket, it may have given the impression that I was attempting to short-fare, but that was never my intention. If my true intention had been to short-fare, I would never have voluntarily shown her the Stevenage ticket. I was simply trying to find the best value option, as I spend hundreds of pounds each week on train travel. I have never had any previous offences and regret this situation deeply.

 

[MarlowDonkey]

I was intending to catch the 07:49 LNER train from Peterborough to London and had purchased a valid ticket for that journey. Unfortunately, I missed the train by one minute, even though I had already scanned my ticket at the barrier. If I had wanted to avoid checks, I could have gone through the side as some people do, but I chose to scan my ticket properly.

Was the ticket you had already purchased restricted in some way? In other words an Advance or one only valid on LNER. If no, it would be valid on any later train. Perhaps it was a split, only valid when a train stopped at the splitting station.

 

[Vinuthag90]

Lner was advance ticket.

 

[furlong]

How much did you pay for the LNER ticket and does it say "route" on it and if so what does it say there e.g. 'LNER ONLY" or "LNER & CONNECTNS"?

Secondly, had you already purchased a ticket to return the same day and if so:
Exactly what ticket was that? How much had you paid for it? Did you buy it as part of the same transaction as the outward ticket?

Where did you buy the ticket(s) from? E.g. Trainline app?

 

[WesternLancer]

Lner was advance ticket.

so sadly worthless once you missed the specified train and not valid at all on another train - irrelevant that it had been scanned at the barrier really - never buy an 'Advance' ticket unless you can be sure of catching the train specified or don't care about throwing it away / losing the money if you can't catch the train. If there is only small financial discount over a more flexible ticket valid on different trains then it's even more pointless buying one IMHO - even if Trainline etc 'push' people towards buying such tickets. For future ref I would make a note of the ticket prices for flexible tickets you can use like Anytime and Off Peak singles and returns / day returns so you can make that choice quickly in your head before you commit to purchasing an Advance ticket.

An offence is committed once you board the train without a valid ticket (not when you go on to the platform AFAIK). So by not sorting out a new valid ticket for the 07.55 Thameslink train they could have reported you anyway - their ticket scanners are set to flag tickets bought after train departed so even if you had not made an error and then booked on the wrong day in your haste you would likely still have been reported, or issued with a penalty fare

All you can do now is to wait until they write to you (this might take some weeks) and then you will need to head back here for advice on how to respond to this to avoid prosecution - so it's vital you get their letter (usually hard copy post so assume you gave them an accurate name and address)

In the meantime have a look at some other thread involving GTR Thameslink to see examples of the sorts of letter they send, and advice on how best to respond to the letter so you can be prepared for what to do in due course

You will get the advice you need here so feel free to ask any questions that occur to you.

 

[Vinuthag90]

Thanks for your reply,

I just noticed they spelt my surname wrong on the receipt but address is correct , is there a way i can inform them, i didn't purposefully do it , I actually can't remember if i typed it or told her the spelling. But my address is correct

 

[WesternLancer]

Thanks for your reply,

I just noticed they spelt my surname wrong on the receipt but address is correct , is there a way i can inform them, i didn't purposefully do it , I actually can't remember if i typed it or told her the spelling. But my address is correct

I would not bother to do that now - you can correct it when they write to you in your reply - but if you are keen to do it you can e-mail them but if you do so do not do anything else in the e-mail then ask them to correct your name. You would need the e-mail for the revenue enfrocment team (not customer services etc)

But I probably would not bother to do that yet unless you think it will mean your post won't get delivered to you.

 

[furlong]

You can correct the name later if they write to you. The first thing is to establish if there was any residual validity from your purchase(s) and whether there were any options your ticket supplier should have offered e.g. if you were planning to, or prepared now to, return the same day after 19:01. This depends on knowing your precise ticket(s).

 

[Fawkes Cat]

You can correct the name later if they write to you. The first thing is to establish if there was any residual validity from your purchase(s) and whether there were any options your ticket supplier should have offered e.g. if you were planning to, or prepared now to, return the same day after 19:01. This depends on knowing your precise ticket(s).

You may have overlooked OP's post at #3 which seems to resolve this point:

Lner was advance ticket.

 

[Vinuthag90]

Sorry Furlong,

Do not understand your query , I purchased an LNER advance ticket so I don't think there is and residual validity. I was in process of trying to buy anytime single or return ticket but I did not have the time to after i boarded the train and caught my breath.

 

[WesternLancer]

Sorry Furlong,

Do not understand your query , I purchased an LNER advance ticket so I don't think there is and residual validity. I was in process of trying to buy anytime single or return ticket but I did not have the time to after i boarded the train and caught my breath.

if you are easily able to do it an uploaded copy of your ticket (so long as it's not got your name on it) will resolve any queries that people here might be asking of you - otherwise see the specific questions about the ticket in post #4 - tho an upload will save you typing up answers to the questions as @furlong will know at a glance what the ticket then means validity wise (I suspect the intention of the question is to check the ticket inspector was actually correct to do what they did - staff mistakes are not unknown!)

 

[furlong]

Indeed there are a number of things to check involving some ambiguities, grey areas and problems in the rules.

The key question in my mind is to understand why, in the circumstances as described, you weren't sold a new (or upgraded) ticket on board and then to understand what options GTR now has available to it, and whether it might be a case that, depending what happens next, ought potentially to end up with Transport Focus.

 

[Vinuthag90]

Unfortunately didn't buy a return as depending the time i finish work I buy tickets as a return ticket is very expensive comparison to advance ticket via LNER. As Western mentioned i have attached my email.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Sep 2025 ==

Sorry another query , the officer mentioned 14 days for the letter to arrive but I see on the posts it has been much longer for many people/

 

[WesternLancer]

Sorry another query , the officer mentioned 14 days for the letter to arrive but I see on the posts it has been much longer for many people/

yes forget about the 14 days - the Inspector probably just said that to 'manage expectations'

here's an example from an old case I worked out the timeline - will depend on how busy they are


- 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.

 

[furlong]

OK, so that rules out leveraging an already-purchased single for the evening to help you.

However it is an "&CONNECTNS" ticket so it might be possible to argue there is no operator restriction preventing its use on GTR's services and therefore you were entitled to pay the new walk-up fare on board.

E.g. In the Advance Tickets FAQ if you can interpret "correct Train Company" broadly to mean one not barred by any operator restriction on the ticket:

Q: If customers are found to be travelling not on their booked train (but on the correct date and correct Train Company), what fare will they be required to buy on
board the train?
A: The fare that would have applied had they purchased it at the station for travel on that train immediately before the start of the journey. If required a return fare can be
sold. Railcard discounts are allowed if the original Advance fare was Railcard discounted and the Railcard is held at the time of travel.

Wait to see what GTR says when it writes.

 

[Haywain]

However it is an "&CONNECTNS" ticket so it might be possible to argue there is no operator restriction preventing its use on GTR's services and therefore you were entitled to pay the new walk-up fare on board.

After the departure of the booked train? I don't think so - there's no right to 'pay the difference' even on the right operator's services.

 

[furlong]

After the departure of the booked train? I don't think so - there's no right to 'pay the difference' even on the right operator's services.

Not "the difference" but the new walk-up fare. The question here is what factors point towards or away from: (i) selling a new ticket on board; (ii) adding on an admin fee when the letter comes; (iii) legitimately (incl. public interest test, contractual entitlements, documented process) threatening to prosecute.

 

[Haywain]

what factors point towards or away from: (i) selling a new ticket on board;

Thameslink/Great Northern do not sell tickets on board. They either issue a Penalty Fare or report for prosecution.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Sep 2025 ==

(iii) legitimately (incl. public interest test, contractual entitlements, documented process) threatening to prosecute.

The OP knowingly boarded the train without a valid ticket, and then bought one from a station further up the line. A suggestion of prosecution looks legitimate to me.

 

[30907]

Returning to the OP's concerns:

GTR will almost always agree to settle without involving the courts, and if the OP hasn't come to their attention before, the likely outcome is payment of the Anytime Single fare for the journey plus an admin charge which seems to be at least £60.

 

[Vinuthag90]

I think I might have done something silly after reading other people’s posts about the RR01 error.
I was booking tickets for this week on Trainline and bought an Anytime Return. A pop-up appeared about cashback using an app I already have, so I tried to refund my tickets but then got the RR01 error.
I called Trainline and explained the RR01 error. I also gave details about what happened on 9 September, when I first saw the error. On that day, I tried to cancel my Kings Lynn to London return ticket, as I was no longer travelling due to train strikes. Just before that, I had accidentally cancelled a different Peterborough to London return ticket. When I immediately tried to cancel the Kings Lynn ticket, I got the RR01 error. At the time, I didn’t think much of it and called Trainline to explain. I assumed they would cancel my earlier refund, but when I checked today, I saw that both refunds had gone through.
I called Trainline again and explained that I had accidentally cancelled one ticket that I had used, which might be why the RR01 error appeared. The agent said they would email the team. (I later saw posts online saying not to contact Trainline, which made me worry my case might be worse.)Over the last six months, I’ve refunded quite a few tickets because I’ve been travelling back and forth between Kings Lynn and Peterborough while my house in Peterborough is being renovated. I was staying temporarily with my sister, and sometimes I didn’t use tickets because I got lifts with her or couldn’t get a taxi in Kings Lynn (there’s no Uber there).If I did travel from Peterborough, I still have proof of those journeys in the form of tickets. Looking at my Trainline history, apart from the ticket I accidentally refunded I believe have only refunded one ticket intentionally, the rest have been cancelling tickets that I booked off peak return accidentally or tried to catch the slow train from Farringdon but not fast enough to station to make it etc. I really hope I haven’t gotten myself into unnecessary trouble. I was only trying to do the right thing by bringing it to Trainline’s attention as soon as I realised the mistake. I admit I may of used flexi ticket that haven't been scanned maybe 2-3 maximum ( in last year and half) but not numerous times as I usually never on time to catch the slow train that is from Farringdon, so I always take the LNER from Kings cross which I have tickets on my trainline or LNER app.

 

[30907]

I think I might have done something silly after reading other people’s posts about the RR01 error.

I am not sure how this relates to your original problem, which was that you travelled without a valid ticket and then attempted to short-fare.

RR1 I believe flags up suspicious refunds - nothing more. You don't say that you have had a warning mail from Trainline which seems to be the next step.

Looking at my Trainline history, apart from the ticket I accidentally refunded I believe have only refunded one ticket intentionally,

Do you mean after you had used it, ie fraudulently?

I admit I may of used flexi ticket that haven't been scanned maybe 2-3 maximum ( in last year and half) but not numerous times as I usually never on time to catch the slow train that is from Farringdon, so I always take the LNER from Kings cross which I have tickets on my trainline or LNER app.

So you are admitting to repeated fraudulent behaviour.

All you can do is wait for the letter to arrive, then come back for advice - but be aware that GTR may investigate your previous travel history.

 

[Vinuthag90]

Hi everyone , I just received my better notice of intention to prosecute today. The letter offence just states : did you enter the train for the purpose of travelling on the railway, and upon inspection at Huntingdon( HUN) :did not produce a valid ticket entitling.

I would appreciate it if I could get advice on the below,

Should I omit the section about accidentally buying Stevenage ticket, also can I type and print the below or should it be handwritten :

Dear Prosecutions Department,

I am writing in response to your correspondence regarding the incident that occurred on 19 September on the Thameslink service from Peterborough to Horsham, where I was spoken to just after leaving Peterborough.

I would like to begin by offering my sincere and unreserved apologies. I fully accept responsibility for travelling without a valid ticket and understand that I should not have boarded the train without holding the correct authority to travel.

On the date in question, I was travelling from Peterborough to London for work. I had already purchased a valid Advance ticket for the 07:49 LNER service from Peterborough to London (copy attached), demonstrating my clear intention to pay the full and correct fare for my journey. Unfortunately, I missed this train by approximately one minute. As I still needed to reach work on time, I boarded the 07:55 Thameslink service to Farringdon.

Having rushed for the train, I was flustered and attempted to purchase a ticket on board via the Trainline app. I was unable to purchase my usual Anytime Split Save Single ticket and, in my haste, did not realise this was because I was attempting to buy a ticket for the same service I was already travelling on. I then purchased a Stevenage–Farringdon advance ticket, as split fare at Stevenage usually saves a few pounds. Regrettably, I also mistakenly booked this advance ticket for the wrong date , which I only became aware of when the Revenue Protection Officer pointed it out(it was for next day/ Saturday- which I would anyway not use as I don't travel to London usually on weekends).

I wish to make it absolutely clear that I had no intention to short fare, avoid payment, or gain any illegal financial advantage. My sole intention throughout was to pay the appropriate fare for my journey, I have never previously travelled without a valid ticket. This was an isolated lapse caused by haste and poor judgement after missing my original train, not a deliberate attempt to evade payment.

I fully acknowledge that I should not have boarded the train without a valid ticket and accept that my actions were a breach of the conditions of travel. I deeply regret this mistake. I recognise the seriousness of fare evasion and the impact it has on the rail industry and on passengers who pay the correct fare. Since this incident, I have taken additional care to ensure that I always hold a valid and correct ticket before boarding any train.

I would like to assure you of my full cooperation and respectfully ask whether you would consider resolving this matter by way of an out-of-court settlement. I am willing to pay the outstanding fare in full, together with any reasonable administrative costs you deem appropriate.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I would be extremely grateful for the opportunity to resolve this matter without the need for further proceedings.

Your Sincerely

P.S it seems as my surname was misspelled/mistyped - it is XXXX instead of XXXX

 

[Haywain]

Your reply is a bit wordy and repetitive. Try and shorten it and not go into a lengthy explanation of how it happened. That you were flustered and in a hurry and bought the wrong ticket doesn't matter. You were caught; apologise and ask to get the matter sorted, that's what's important.

 

[z444z]

can I type and print the below or should it be handwritten

Too long. And yes you can type and print it.

I’ve cut it down a bit and changed some wording, please wait before sending it to give others a chance to weigh in:

REFERENCE: [INSERT REFERENCE]

Dear Prosecutions Department,

I am writing in response to your letter dated [INSERT DATE] regarding my travel on 19 September 2025.

I would like to clarify that my correct surname is [INSERT].

I fully accept responsibility for travelling without a valid ticket and understand that I should not have boarded the train without one. For this, I sincerely and unreservedly apologise.

I was travelling from Peterborough to London for work. I held an Advance ticket for the 07:49 LNER service from Peterborough to London (evidence attached). Unfortunately, I missed this train by approximately one minute, and so I boarded the 07:55 Thameslink service without having purchased a ticket valid for that service.

Since this incident, I have taken additional care to ensure that I always hold a valid ticket before boarding any train. I can assure you that this will not happen again.

I would be very grateful if you would consider resolving this matter by way of an out-of-court settlement. I am willing to pay the outstanding fare in full, as well as your administrative costs.

Your Sincerely

 

[Vinuthag90]

Thanks

z444z and Haywain for you reply, it was really helpful, I have slightly edited the above please find below: ( do you believe there is no benefit in trying to show I genuinely was trying to buy a ticket after boarding and had no intent to evade fare) :​

Dear Prosecutions Department,

I am writing in response to your letter dated 30 December 2025 regarding my travel on 19 September 2025. I would also like to confirm that my correct surname is [INSERT].

I fully accept responsibility for travelling without a valid ticket and sincerely apologise. I understand that I should not have boarded the train without holding the correct ticket.

On the date in question, I was travelling from Peterborough to London for work and held a valid Advance ticket for the 07:49 LNER service (evidence attached). Unfortunately, I missed this train by approximately one minute and subsequently boarded the 07:55 Thameslink service. My intention was always to pay the correct fare, and I was in the process of trying to purchase a ticket when I was approached by the Revenue Protection Officer.

Since then, I have taken additional care to ensure that I always hold the correct ticket before boarding.

I would be grateful if you would consider resolving this matter by way of an out-of-court settlement. I am willing to pay the outstanding fare in full, along with any reasonable administrative costs.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

 

[z444z]

We generally advise not to insist that their administration costs are reasonable. They charge what they charge. However, a recent addition to the NRCoT says:

The sum claimed will not exceed the actual costs of such follow up steps taken.

It’s probably not in your interests to argue on these grounds, at least not at this stage, as you don’t know what the administration fee will be yet.

The apology is far shorter and appears less genuine in this final draft which isn’t advisable.

I’d suggest my previous draft over your final one, I think it is more likely to lead to a satisfactory outcome, but other than the points above it looks okay.

 

[Haywain]

This is much better, it says everything necessary and is neither too long nor too short.

do you believe there is no benefit in trying to show I genuinely was trying to buy a ticket after boarding and had no intent to evade fare

You've done that in this new version, there's no gain to be had from making it longer as you did in the original version.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Jan 2026 ==

The apology is far shorter and appears less genuine in this final draft which isn’t advisable.

I think it's fine.

 

[Vinuthag90]

We generally advise not to insist that their administration costs are reasonable. They charge what they charge. However, a recent addition to the NRCoT says:

It’s probably not in your interests to argue on these grounds, at least not at this stage, as you don’t know what the administration fee will be yet.

The apology is far shorter and appears less genuine in this final draft which isn’t advisable.

I’d suggest my previous draft over your final one, I think it is more likely to lead to a satisfactory outcome, but other than the points above it looks okay.

Dear Prosecutions Department,

I am writing in response to your letter dated 30 December 2025 regarding my travel on 19 September 2025. I would also like to confirm that my correct surname is [INSERT].

I fully accept responsibility for travelling without a valid ticket and understand that I should not have boarded the train without one. For this, I sincerely and unreservedly apologise.

On the date in question, I was travelling from Peterborough to London for work and held a valid Advance ticket for the 07:49 LNER service (evidence attached). Unfortunately, I missed this train by approximately one minute and subsequently boarded the 07:55 Thameslink service. My intention was always to pay the correct fare, and I was in the process of trying to purchase a ticket when I was approached by the Revenue Protection Officer.

Since then, I have taken additional care to ensure that I always hold the correct ticket before boarding. I can assure you that this will not happen again.

I would be grateful if you would consider resolving this matter by way of an out-of-court settlement. I am willing to pay the outstanding fare in full, along with any administrative costs.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Is the above better ? I had merged the apology in the same sentence in my draft but I have now copied over your previous draft with addition of intent.

 

[z444z]

I think it's fine.

Fine ≠ optimal though. If there’s a 95% chance it’ll do the job but changing a few words would make it 98% or even 96% I think most posters here would prefer to have those odds as high as possible. Appreciate we may not agree on this though and that’s fine

 

[Vinuthag90]

Sorry I am posting this again, my previous message is still waiting for Moderator approval for some reason ( apologise again if the message gets doubled)
Thank you both for your help/feedback , I have edited the apology in line with your original suggested draft:

Dear Prosecutions Department,

I am writing in response to your letter dated 30 December 2025 regarding my travel on 19 September 2025. I would also like to confirm that my correct surname is [INSERT].

I fully accept responsibility for travelling without a valid ticket and understand that I should not have boarded the train without one. For this, I sincerely and unreservedly apologise.

On the date in question, I was travelling from Peterborough to London for work and held a valid Advance ticket for the 07:49 LNER service (evidence attached). Unfortunately, I missed this train by approximately one minute and subsequently boarded the 07:55 Thameslink service. My intention was always to pay the correct fare, and I was in the process of trying to purchase a ticket when I was approached by the Revenue Protection Officer.

Since then, I have taken additional care to ensure that I always hold the correct ticket before boarding. I can assure you that this will not happen again.

I would be grateful if you would consider resolving this matter by way of an out-of-court settlement. I am willing to pay the outstanding fare in full, along with any administrative costs.

Thank you for your time and consideration.