Incident on train

[travelgal]

Hi,
I purchased a ticket on the train. It costs around £2 and is a short 5 minute journey. The inspector said that because I bought it on the train I have to speak with him.

This was first thing in the morning and I had another train to catch, which I purchase a monthly ticket for. I told him this and he didn’t care, which made me miss my connecting train.

I also asked twice if we could have this conversation on the platform in public, rather on the train as we were the only ones left, and he said no, making me feel uncomfortable and unsafe.

He said that when he scanned my ticket it showed that it was purchased on the train and he said I only did it because I saw him coming. He then said it’s automatically been sent to the database or cloud or something and that I risk paying a fine or prosecution.

He then began to assume things about how often I travel and said that he thinks I fare evade often. His assumptions about my frequency of travel were incorrect, which I told him, and I showed him my monthly travel card which proves I am not a fare evader.

This situation has left me feeling very angry and anxious. I am furious with the way he spoke to me and the fact that he thinks it’s acceptable. He was definitely on some sort of power trip.

My question is, what’s next. How will they know my address if I didn’t give it to him? What should I expect to happen? Can I complain about him not letting me off the train to have the chat in public?

Thanks.

 

[Haywain]

I showed him my monthly travel card which proves I am not a fare evader.

It proves nothing of the sort. Boarding a train without first buying a ticket suggests otherwise and is, in most circumstances, a criminal act. Why do you not have a monthly ticket for your whole journey?

 

[travelgal]

It proves nothing of the sort. Boarding a train without first buying a ticket suggests otherwise and is, in most circumstances, a criminal act. Why do you not have a monthly ticket for your whole journey?

Because I think trains are overpriced and don’t deliver value for money. My monthly ticket for the main portion of my journey is ridiculously expensive for the service I receive. The first portion of my journey, the train which is only 5 minutes, is unreliable and there are no barriers on either side. This is the first time I’ve ever seen an inspector on that train. And I know my answer is technically wrong but I don’t care for multimillion capitalist corporations.

 

[enyoueffsea]

How will they know my address if I didn’t give it to him?

Your online account where you purchased your eTicket.

What should I expect to happen?

A letter to arrive threatening prosecution and asking for your version of events. If you return here when it arrives, people will review your proposed response with the aim of achieving an out of court settlement.

Can I complain about him not letting me off the train to have the chat in public?

Yes. But you unfortunately don’t hold the cards here, as what you did (board a train without a valid ticket) is an offence.

Might be worth highlighting he had no power to stop you from leaving at any time. I’m assuming he didn’t prevent you from doing so, therefore suggesting he didn’t let you off the train is probably not appropriate.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Jul 2025 ==

Because I think trains are overpriced and don’t deliver value for money. My monthly ticket for the main portion of my journey is ridiculously expensive for the service I receive. The first portion of my journey, the train which is only 5 minutes, is unreliable and there are no barriers on either side. This is the first time I’ve ever seen an inspector on that train. And I know my answer is technically wrong but I don’t care for multimillion capitalist corporations.

Not a good attitude to have unless you want this to end in a prosecution.

 

[yorkie]

Because I think trains are overpriced and don’t deliver value for money. My monthly ticket for the main portion of my journey is ridiculously expensive for the service I receive. The first portion of my journey, the train which is only 5 minutes, is unreliable and there are no barriers on either side. This is the first time I’ve ever seen an inspector on that train. And I know my answer is technically wrong but I don’t care for multimillion capitalist corporations.

Ok, so are you saying you do make the journey without paying for it?

I'm not sure what advice you are asking for, but without more information about what you have done, what the journey / train operator is, I don't think we can be of much assistance.

 

[travelgal]

Your online account where you purchased your eTicket.



A letter to arrive threatening prosecution and asking for your version of events. If you return here when it arrives, people will review your proposed response with the aim of achieving an out of court settlement.



Yes. But you unfortunately don’t hold the cards here, as what you did (board a train without a valid ticket) is an offence.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Jul 2025 ==



Not a good attitude to have unless you want this to end in a prosecution.

Okay thank you. What I’m gathering is that lots of people have experienced this and have to pay fines in the end but rarely anyone gets prosecuted or has to actually go to court

 

[yorkie]

Okay thank you. What I’m gathering is that lots of people have experienced this and have to pay fines in the end but rarely anyone gets prosecuted or has to actually go to court

A fine is issued by a court; perhaps you mean lots of people have been issued Penalty Fares or have been offered out of court settlements?

Yes, most train companies would settle but we don't know which company you travelled with, so we can't advise.

Unless we have more information, all we can really say is wait for the letter, then - depending on what it says and what your circumstances are - accept any settlement offered (if it's a company that makes such offers; if not you may want to try to negotiate a settlement), unless you are happy to either plead guilty in court, represent yourself or pay for a solicitor to represent you.

Would a criminal conviction affect your career? If so, you are much better paying a settlement to keep the matter out of court.

 

[travelgal]

A fine is issued by a court; perhaps you mean lots of people have been issued Penalty Fares or have been offered out of court settlements?

Yes, most train companies would settle but we don't know which company you travelled with, so we can't advise.

SWR. Earley to Reading
Not sure what I mean, first time dealing with this

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Jul 2025 ==

Ok, so are you saying you do make the journey without paying for it?

I'm not sure what advice you are asking for, but without more information about what you have done, what the journey / train operator is, I don't think we can be of much assistance.

SWR earley to reading. Does that info help?

 

[Watershed]

SWR earley to reading. Does that info help?

Yes, it could be relevant. What season ticket do you have? It may be that it already covers Earley to Reading.

 

[hexagon789]

And I know my answer is technically wrong but I don’t care for multimillion capitalist corporations.

Well yes, because all fares revenue goes to the Treasury.

 

[travelgal]

Yes, it could be relevant. What season ticket do you have? It may be that it already covers Earley to Reading.

Reading to london Paddington. It’s a GWR ticket

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Jul 2025 ==

Well yes, because all fares revenue goes to the Treasury.

If it’s publically owned doesn’t that mean my taxes should technically cover it so I can travel for free

 

[hexagon789]

If it’s publically owned doesn’t that mean my taxes should technically cover it so I can travel for free

Hardly...

 

[AlterEgo]

If it’s publically owned doesn’t that mean my taxes should technically cover it so I can travel for free

Are you here for advice?

SWR will analyse your ticket and your travel pattern and will likely present you with a long list on unpaid journeys. They may or may not invite you to an interview under caution. They have your personal details from your ticket purchase. Failure to provide your own details is a separate offence - your refusal was another crime I’m afraid - this is not usually prosecuted if you subsequently do cooperate.

Another piece of advice - wind your neck in when you do contact them. Sounds like you’ve been ripping them off for some time, and they won’t be amused by the stuff you’ve been posting (which they can read, by the way - the train companies’ revenue staff do lurk here!)

 

[travelgal]

Are you here for advice?

SWR will analyse your ticket and your travel pattern and will likely present you with a long list on unpaid journeys. They may or may not invite you to an interview under caution. They have your personal details from your ticket purchase. Failure to provide your own details is a separate offence - your refusal was another crime I’m afraid - this is not usually prosecuted if you subsequently do cooperate.

Another piece of advice - wind your neck in when you do contact them. Sounds like you’ve been ripping them off for some time, and they won’t be amused by the stuff you’ve been posting (which they can read, by the way - the train companies’ revenue staff do lurk here!)

I never said I refused to provide my personal details to them?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Jul 2025 ==

Are you here for advice?

SWR will analyse your ticket and your travel pattern and will likely present you with a long list on unpaid journeys. They may or may not invite you to an interview under caution. They have your personal details from your ticket purchase. Failure to provide your own details is a separate offence - your refusal was another crime I’m afraid - this is not usually prosecuted if you subsequently do cooperate.

Another piece of advice - wind your neck in when you do contact them. Sounds like you’ve been ripping them off for some time, and they won’t be amused by the stuff you’ve been posting (which they can read, by the way - the train companies’ revenue staff do lurk here!)

Just to make it explicitly clear: I do not fare evade. This was a one time incident. Despite my strong personal views on this issue, I always buy my ticket and pay my fare. This morning was a complete mistake. Hence why this is my first post here and my first time experiencing something with an inspector in my life

 

[yorkie]

Reading to london Paddington. It’s a GWR ticket

Are you sure it's a GWR Only ticket?

What exactly is written on the ticket?

If it's a regular Reading to London Terminals ticket routed Any Permitted, it's valid for your entire journey from Earley to London via Reading.

Purchase flexible walk-up fares for any British train journey

Purchase flexible single/return tickets & Travelcards – in 3 clicks. Full details of all British rail fares shown, with built-in Season Ticket Calculator.

www.brfares.com

Did you present this ticket at all?

If it’s publically owned doesn’t that mean my taxes should technically cover it so I can travel for free

Please discuss this in Speculative Discussion if you wish to debate this further.

 

[Hadders]

Railway ticketing offences are a criminal offences, consequently the stakes are quite high. It's not like getting a parking ticket at all.

Forum members are happy to assist you but we need to know exactly what has happened. We will probably have questions for you, these aren't to catch you out but simply to assist us in gathering the facts and clarifying the situation.

This thread isn't the place to complain about high ticket prices, train reliability or service provision etc. There are other places where that can be done. We have experts on railway ticketing in this section of the forum and we assist people who have been reported for ticketing irregularities.

Can you tell us:

- Exactly what season ticket do you hold?
- Was it valid on the day of the incident?
- Exactly where did the incident take place. I know it was onboard a train but bwtween which stations
- Did you show the season ticket to the inspector? Did they take any details from it or scan it?
- Were you given any paperwork by the inspector? If so, can you upload a redacted copy of it in this thread.

 

[travelgal]

Are you sure it's a GWR Only ticket?

What exactly is written on the ticket?

If it's a regular Reading to London Terminals ticket routed Any Permitted, it's valid for your entire journey from Earley to London via Reading.

Purchase flexible walk-up fares for any British train journey

Purchase flexible single/return tickets & Travelcards – in 3 clicks. Full details of all British rail fares shown, with built-in Season Ticket Calculator.

www.brfares.com

Did you present this ticket at all?

Please discuss this in Speculative Discussion if you wish to debate this further.

Yes it is a season ticket which I purchase from reading to london paddington and it says GWR on it as it is a GWR touch card and I also use it on the tube in london. I did show this to him and he didn’t say anything about it

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Jul 2025 ==

Railway ticketing offences are a criminal offences, consequently the stakes are quite high. It's not like getting a parking ticket at all.

Forum members are happy to assist you but we need to know exactly what has happened. We will probably have questions for you, these aren't to catch you out but simply to assist us in gathering the facts and clarifying the situation.

This thread isn't the place to complain about high ticket prices, train reliability or service provision etc. There are other places where that can be done. We have experts on railway ticketing in this section of the forum and we assist people who have been reported for ticketing irregularities.

Can you tell us:

- Exactly what season ticket do you hold?
- Was it valid on the day of the incident?
- Exactly where did the incident take place. I know it was onboard a train but bwtween which stations
- Did you show the season ticket to the inspector? Did they take any details from it or scan it?
- Were you given any paperwork by the inspector? If so, can you upload a redacted copy of it in this thread.

Hi sorry about using the thread incorrectly. I appreciate everyone’s help.

I hold a GWR touch season ticket from reading to london paddington and I can use the tube on it. It was valid on the day of the incident. Incident took place on SWR between earley and Reading. I did show the season ticket to him, he had a look, unsure if he took details or scanned. I wasn’t given any paperwork

 

[John R]

I never said I refused to provide my personal details to them?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Jul 2025 ==


Just to make it explicitly clear: I do not fare evade. This was a one time incident. Despite my strong personal views on this issue, I always buy my ticket and pay my fare. This morning was a complete mistake. Hence why this is my first post here and my first time experiencing something with an inspector in my life

So do you have evidence of having purchased tickets from Earley to Reading on other days? If your season isn’t valid for that part of the journey (and I cannot comment on that) then the danger is they will assume you don’t pay for the first part of your journey in a regular basis.

You’ve experienced some push back here as to your “attitude”. If you show any evidence of that when you correspond with the railway then you will blow any chance of not being prosecuted. We’ve seen that happen a couple of times where people have already replied to the letter they get in such a way before seeking advice here.

 

[tatitiliti]

Hi,
I purchased a ticket on the train. It costs around £2 and is a short 5 minute journey. The inspector said that because I bought it on the train I have to speak with him.

This was first thing in the morning and I had another train to catch, which I purchase a monthly ticket for. I told him this and he didn’t care, which made me miss my connecting train.

I also asked twice if we could have this conversation on the platform in public, rather on the train as we were the only ones left, and he said no, making me feel uncomfortable and unsafe.

He said that when he scanned my ticket it showed that it was purchased on the train and he said I only did it because I saw him coming. He then said it’s automatically been sent to the database or cloud or something and that I risk paying a fine or prosecution.

He then began to assume things about how often I travel and said that he thinks I fare evade often. His assumptions about my frequency of travel were incorrect, which I told him, and I showed him my monthly travel card which proves I am not a fare evader.

This situation has left me feeling very angry and anxious. I am furious with the way he spoke to me and the fact that he thinks it’s acceptable. He was definitely on some sort of power trip.

My question is, what’s next. How will they know my address if I didn’t give it to him? What should I expect to happen? Can I complain about him not letting me off the train to have the chat in public?

Thanks.

You do realise that a season ticket from Earley to London Terminals/Zone 1-6 (via Reading on GWR) is the exact same price as one from Reading to London Terminals/Zone 1-6, don’t you? Unfortunately, you’ve created a very large and unnecessary mess for yourself. However, it may be possible that the season ticket you have is in fact valid for the Earley to Reading portion (hopefully someone will advise on this).

Wait for the letter to arrive and, when it does, you need to send them proof that you had this season ticket on the day.

 

[travelgal]

So do you have evidence of having purchased tickets from Earley to Reading on other days? If your season isn’t valid for that part of the journey (and I cannot comment on that) then the danger is they will assume you don’t pay for the first part of your journey in a regular basis.

You’ve experienced some push back here as to your “attitude”. If you show any evidence of that when you correspond with the railway then you will blow any chance of not being prosecuted. We’ve seen that happen a couple of times where people have already replied to the letter they get in such a way before seeking advice here.

Occasionally yes I have purchased tickets from earley to reading, but I don’t always take that train. Sometimes I’ll take my car and park at reading, or be dropped off at the station. It is dependent on the day so I might only take that train once a week

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Jul 2025 ==

AI is telling me season ticket is valid to earley even if it’s going from reading to somewhere GWR. I’m going to try and speak with someone from the ticket office today to confirm. Will update

 

[superalbs]

Occasionally yes I have purchased tickets from earley to reading, but I don’t always take that train. Sometimes I’ll take my car and park at reading, or be dropped off at the station. It is dependent on the day so I might only take that train once a week

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Jul 2025 ==

AI is telling me season ticket is valid to earley even if it’s going from reading to somewhere GWR. I’m going to try and speak with someone from the ticket office today to confirm. Will update

It's a bad idea to ask AI for anything, especially for important matters like train tickets. Your decision to speak to a ticket office is much safer, though also not infallible.

 

[dosxuk]

AI is telling me season ticket is valid to earley even if it’s going from reading to somewhere GWR. I’m going to try and speak with someone from the ticket office today to confirm. Will update

And the AI response is plainly nonsense, as Earley is not on the GWR route between Reading and Paddington.

 

[Hadders]

It sounds as though yiu have a Reading to London Zones 1-6 Travelcard loaded on your GWR Touch card. This is what we need to know.

A GWR Touch card is simply a card that can hold tickets, where the ticket is valid will depend on what ticket is loaded on the card and this is the crucial issue. Before we can proceed any further we need to know the exact ticket you held on the day of the incident.

I'm sorry to persist with this question, but it is absolutely essential that we know this. Do you have a receipt that tells you? Can you check from your onine account? If not tell us exactly how much you paid for it?

Once we know this we can then tell you whether the ticket was valid between Earley and Reading. NB - do not rely on AI for advice on this sort of thing....

 

[The exile]

NB - do not rely on AI for advice on this sort of thing....

Or indeed anything important.

 

[travelgal]

It sounds as though yiu have a Reading to London Zones 1-6 Travelcard loaded on your GWR Touch card. This is what we need to know.

A GWR Touch card is simply a card that can hold tickets, where the ticket is valid will depend on what ticket is loaded on the card and this is the crucial issue. Before we can proceed any further we need to know the exact ticket you held on the day of the incident.

I'm sorry to persist with this question, but it is absolutely essential that we know this. Do you have a receipt that tells you? Can you check from your onine account? If not tell us exactly how much you paid for it?

Once we know this we can then tell you whether the ticket was valid between Earley and Reading. NB - do not rely on AI for advice on this sort of thing....

It cost £667 and I don’t have the physical receipt anymore but have the bank transfer receipt. There may be a receipt in my online account - I’ll need to check. I spoke to the people at the station today and she said that my current card doesn’t include earley, but when I renew my card next month I can include earley at no additional cost.

 

[Haywain]

It cost £667 and I don’t have the physical receipt anymore but have the bank transfer receipt. There may be a receipt in my online account - I’ll need to check. I spoke to the people at the station today and she said that my current card doesn’t include earley, but when I renew my card next month I can include earley at no additional cost.

That is the fare for a 1 month Travelcard season from Reading to London Zones 1-6, route Any Permitted.

 

[Cantab26]

It cost £667 and I don’t have the physical receipt anymore but have the bank transfer receipt. There may be a receipt in my online account - I’ll need to check. I spoke to the people at the station today and she said that my current card doesn’t include earley, but when I renew my card next month I can include earley at no additional cost.

How do you buy your tickets?

Do you buy a monthly season ticket each month? Or for a different period of time?

 

[travelgal]

How do you buy your tickets?

Do you buy a monthly season ticket each month? Or for a different period of time?

Yes monthly each month

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Jul 2025 ==

That is the fare for a 1 month Travelcard season from Reading to London Zones 1-6, route Any Permitted.

Yes - which I don’t think includes earley technically, even though it doesn’t cost more to add earley to it

 

[Watershed]

Yes - which I don’t think includes earley technically, even though it doesn’t cost more to add earley to it

Your season ticket is valid to travel from Reading to Paddington on GWR/Elizabeth line services, as well as to Waterloo on SWR services. It is also valid on all other TfL and National Rail services in Zones 1-6.

Season tickets are valid for unlimited travel along the routes they cover, and you can start or finish your journey at any intermediate station.

Therefore, since Earley is on the SWR route from Reading to Waterloo, you can travel Earley-Reading-Paddington. That is entirely valid with your season ticket and you didn't need to buy an additional Earley-Reading ticket.

If you showed the ticket inspector your Smartcard, they should have scanned it and seen that you already had a valid ticket.

Regardless, when you provide SWR with evidence of your season ticket the matter should be dropped, as you had a valid ticket and merely bought the additional ticket because you were mistaken as to your season ticket's validity.

 

[travelgal]

Your season ticket is valid to travel from Reading to Paddington on GWR/Elizabeth line services, as well as to Waterloo on SWR services. It is also valid on all other TfL and National Rail services in Zones 1-6.

Season tickets are valid for unlimited travel along the routes they cover, and you can start or finish your journey at any intermediate station.

Therefore, since Earley is on the SWR route from Reading to Waterloo, you can travel Earley-Reading-Paddington. That is entirely valid with your season ticket and you didn't need to buy an additional Earley-Reading ticket.

If you showed the ticket inspector your Smartcard, they should have scanned it and seen that you already had a valid ticket.

Regardless, when you provide SWR with evidence of your season ticket the matter should be dropped, as you had a valid ticket and merely bought the additional ticket because you were mistaken as to your season ticket's validity.

Thank you so much for your response. I had no idea my ticket was valid outside of the reading-ldn GWR service. I did show the inspector my season ticket but I can’t remember if he scanned it.

I think I have all the info I need now and will update this thread if/when a letter is sent. Really appreciate everyone’s help. Hopefully you’re right and the issue will be dropped.