Intention to prosecute (chiltern railways)

[splendour]

Hi everyone, I booked a train ticket on several occasions ( 3 times) from denham to Wolverhampton and added the 25-30 railcard while I don’t have one. To be honest I felt the railcard was there to reduce cost based on my age and the benefit it offers to others in similar circumstances. I bought a new ticket from Birmingham new street to Wolverhampton after speaking with the railway officer and also a new ticket back to denham… I feel so bad…. I need help on replying to the letter… will be waiting for replies please…

Thank you

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi everyone, I booked a train ticket on several occasions ( 3 times) from denham to Wolverhampton and added the 25-30 railcard while I don’t have one. To be honest I felt the railcard was there to reduce cost based on my age and the benefit it offers to others in similar circumstances. I bought a new ticket from Birmingham new street to Wolverhampton after speaking with the railway officer and also a new ticket back to denham… I feel so bad…. I need help on replying to the letter… will be waiting for replies please…

Thank you

You’ll get the advice you need here. Theres a fairly standard formula on what you need to cover in your written reply. Have a look at a few other threads. Ideally ones involving Chiltern trains

Be aware they will check your on line purchase records for other instances of this in the past and seek you pay correct fares for those past occasions. So you should study your own records to make your own private and accurate list of those in case needed.

Don’t reply until you get your draft response checked here , if you think that would help of course.

If you are still eligible buy the railcard now. It’s something you can say you have actively done to prevent the misunderstanding occurring again now that you have properly understood the rules.

 

[splendour]

Hi everyone, I booked a train ticket on several occasions ( 3 times) from denham to Wolverhampton and added the 25-30 railcard while I don’t have one. To be honest I felt the railcard was there to reduce cost based on my age and the benefit it offers to others in similar circumstances. I bought a new ticket from Birmingham new street to Wolverhampton after speaking with the railway officer and also a new ticket back to denham… I feel so bad…. I need help on replying to the letter… will be waiting for replies please…

Thank you

You’ll get the advice you need here. Theres a fairly standard formula on what you need to cover in your written reply. Have a look at a few other threads. Ideally ones involving Chiltern trains

Be aware they will check your on line purchase records for other instances of this in the past and seek you pay correct fares for those past occasions. So you should study your own records to make your own private and accurate list of those in case needed.

Don’t reply until you get your draft response checked here , if you think that would help of course.

If you are still eligible buy the railcard now. It’s something you can say you have actively done to prevent the misunderstanding occurring again now that you have properly understood the rules.

Thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Mar 2025 ==

@Hadders can you help me out please

 

[30907]

Thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Mar 2025 ==

@Hadders can you help me out please

Ther is a search facility top right which will get you started

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Mar 2025 ==

@Hadders can you help me out please

See this thread and in particular post #5 for the general guidance you need

Intent of Prosecution Chiltern Railway

Good Afternoon, I have received a letter for intended prosecution regarding a train ticket I bought. I had bought a ticket on trainline with Apple Pay, as I got to my station (Yardley Wood); I was travelling to Birmingham Moor Street. I was in a rush and didn’t notice my purchase didn’t go...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Hadders]

The sort of things to mention in your letter are:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the train company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter

You'll find plenty of examples of letters you can base your reply on in this section of the forum. Post a draft in this thread and forum members will proof read it for you.

 

[splendour]

Thank you all for the feedback I appreciate it ….
This is a draft I want to submit…
Is it ok?


Dear sir/madam,

I am emailing today in response to your letter dated 14th of March 2025 concerning failure to present a valid ticket during my journey between Denham and Wolverhampton on Sunday, 1st December 2024.

I would like to start by expressing my sincere apologies, l initially added a railcard because I felt it was there to reduce cost based on my age and the benefits it offers to others in similar circumstances. It was an honest mistake, and I had no intention of avoiding the correct fare. following my conversation with the railway officer, I complied with their instructions and purchased another ticket from Birmingham new street to complete my journey and got another ticket back to Denham.

I fully understand the seriousness of this matter and I am deeply sorry for what has happened. I assure you that I have learned from this experience, and I am committed to making sure it does not happen again by purchasing a national railcard (25-30).

I would kindly ask If it will be possible for this matter to be settled without further legal action. I would like to pay the outstanding fares as well as any administrative costs in full which Chiltern have incurred in having to investigate this matter. I again apologise for my ignorance which is not an excuse and appreciate your time regarding this issue.



Yours sincerely,

 

[Haywain]

and I am committed to making sure it does not happen again by purchasing a national railcard (25-30).

I think this would read better if it said "... having realised my mistake I am now purchasing a 26-30 Railcard."

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you all for the feedback I appreciate it ….
This is a draft I want to submit…
Is it ok?


Dear sir/madam,

I am emailing today in response to your letter dated 14th of March 2025 concerning failure to present a valid ticket during my journey between Denham and Wolverhampton on Sunday, 1st December 2024.

I would like to start by expressing my sincere apologies, l initially added a railcard because I felt it was there to reduce cost based on my age and the benefits it offers to others in similar circumstances. It was an honest mistake, and I had no intention of avoiding the correct fare. following my conversation with the railway officer, I complied with their instructions and purchased another ticket from Birmingham new street to complete my journey and got another ticket back to Denham.

I fully understand the seriousness of this matter and I am deeply sorry for what has happened. I assure you that I have learned from this experience, and I am committed to making sure it does not happen again by purchasing a national railcard (25-30).

I would kindly ask If it will be possible for this matter to be settled without further legal action. I would like to pay the outstanding fares as well as any administrative costs in full which Chiltern have incurred in having to investigate this matter. I again apologise for my ignorance which is not an excuse and appreciate your time regarding this issue.



Yours sincerely,

Maybe second para needs to say that you didn’t understand the need to purchase a railcard seperatly, but following the incident and discussion with the member of staff you have now got one (if you have which id advise that you do)

 

[splendour]

Ok thank you so much……will have it amended and sent tomorrow morning…. Hoping for the best