Letter from railway

[aniebu]

Can anyone help me pls I got this letter we actually travelled my friend booked and used a rail card but we didn’t have any i never travel on train and this is first time what should I do am worried I never tried to evasions but the ticket person even when I told am sorry will buy a new one he still out this

 

[WesternLancer]

Can anyone help me pls I got this letter we actually travelled my friend booked and used a rail card but we didn’t have any i never travel on train and this is first time what should I do am worried I never tried to evasions but the ticket person even when I told am sorry will buy a new one he still out this

Welcome. You will get good advice here over the weekend on how to respond to this to get the best outcome achievable.

Your friend should not have booked a ticket for you with a railcard discount without checking if you actually possessed the railcard. The railway company considers such a ticket invalid without the Railcard.

Essentially you need to offer to pay them any fare owed. Wait for some more detailed advice over the next day or two.

 

[z444z]

Can anyone help me pls I got this letter we actually travelled my friend booked and used a rail card but we didn’t have any i never travel on train and this is first time what should I do am worried I never tried to evasions but the ticket person even when I told am sorry will buy a new one he still out this

Welcome. Firstly, your attachment has the reference number visible which shouldn't be shared publicly, I'll report it or you can remove it yourself but please do reupload it with the reference number redacted.

It appears we're also assisting the other person involved in this incident, could you have a look at the advice given in that thread and draft a response to GTR based on that? Once you have a draft, send it here and we can help you improve it.

I got intentions to prosecute notice

Hi all Please help me with this prosecution letter Me and my sister was planned to go London on Nov 2025 but suddenly our car wasn’t working so we decided to book train and put railcard thinking that they won’t ask as mine was expired and my sister didn’t have one. However we have used our...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[aniebu]

Reference:





Dear Sir/Madam,





I am writing in response to your letter dated 16 February 2026 regarding the incident on 4 November 2025 at Huntingdon railway station.





Please accept my sincere and heartfelt apologies for this situation. I feel very upset and regretful that this has occurred. I did have a ticket for the journey, which had been purchased on my behalf, and I genuinely believed it was valid at the time. I later realised that a railcard discount had been applied which I was not entitled to use, and I now fully understand that this made the ticket invalid for travel.





I want to emphasise that I never had any intention of avoiding payment, as the journey had been paid for. I fully accept that it was my responsibility to ensure that I held the correct ticket and any required railcard, and I am truly sorry for this mistake and for any inconvenience caused.





Since this incident, I have taken steps to ensure this can never happen again, including purchasing my own valid railcard. This experience has been a significant lesson for me, and I deeply regret the error.





This is the first time I have ever been involved in a matter of this nature. I have always tried to live honestly and responsibly, and as a single parent this situation has caused me considerable worry. I would be extremely grateful if you would kindly consider allowing me the opportunity to resolve this matter without court proceedings.





I am willing to pay any outstanding fare together with any reasonable administrative costs required to settle the matter, and I respectfully ask if you might grant me this opportunity to resolve the issue amicably.





Thank you very much for taking the time to consider my explanation. I sincerely apologise again and hope for your understanding.






Address:

 

[z444z]

That’s a really good start but it’s a bit too long. I’ve made some edits, see below. Do wait a day or two to give others a chance to weigh in.

Reference:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing in response to your letter dated 16 February 2026 regarding the incident on 4 November 2025 at Huntingdon railway station.

Please accept my sincere and heartfelt apologies for this situation. I feel very upset and regretful that this has occurred. I did have a ticket for the journey, which had been purchased on my behalf, and I genuinely believed it was valid at the time, but I later realised that a railcard discount had been applied which I was not entitled to use, and I now understand that this made the ticket invalid for travel.

Since this incident, I have taken steps to ensure this can never happen again, including purchasing my own valid railcard. This experience has been a significant lesson for me.

I would be extremely grateful if you would allow me the opportunity to resolve this matter without court proceedings. I am willing to pay any outstanding fare together with administrative costs.

 

[aniebu]

T

That’s a really good start but it’s a bit too long. I’ve made some edits, see below. Do wait a day or two to give others a chance to weigh in.

Thank you so much

 

[WesternLancer]

T

Thank you so much

I think it’s just worth asking if you did genuinely believe the ticket was valid, or if in fact you and your friend bought tickets with a railcard discount to save some money knowing you both didn’t have railcards?

If that was the case it would be a lie to say you genuinely believed the ticket was valid and lieing to them is not a good idea at all. In which case amend that sentence so as not to say this.

I don’t think it would make any difference to the chances of them letting you settle out of court if you don’t say it, but it might if they think you are not telling the truth.

But if this is the truth then fine.

Remember when you send your reply you need to keep a copy of everything and you should send it tracked postage from a local post office and keep the proof of delivery from the tracking number you will be given. Tracked 48 postage is probably sufficiently fast enough and it’s cheaper.

 

[aniebu]

I would like to thanks everyone who helped they have now replied and asked me to pay
98.10£ to settle out of court am ever thankful for this help and assistance provided by you all

 

[WesternLancer]

I would like to thanks everyone who helped they have now replied and asked me to pay
98.10£ to settle out of court am ever thankful for this help and assistance provided by you all

Thanks for letting us know - always helpful toother people in the future.

 

[z444z]

I would like to thanks everyone who helped they have now replied and asked me to pay
98.10£ to settle out of court am ever thankful for this help and assistance provided by you all

Great news, thanks for the update! Do keep evidence of this payment long-term in case you ever need it (unlikely, but best to be safe).

 

[MotCO]

If you buy a new railcard, please make a note of the expiry date, e.g. on your phone's calendar, so that you can renew it in good time. We don't want to see you back here again next year

 

[Adam Williams]

If you buy a new railcard, please make a note of the expiry date, e.g. on your phone's calendar, so that you can renew it in good time

or even better, buy it from somewhere that will do automatic renewal!

 

[SussexMan]

or even better, buy it from somewhere that will do automatic renewal!

Some retailers do "automatic renewal". Really? I trust they don't once you hit the age limit for an upper age restricted card, e.g. 16/17. 16/25. 26/30. Which retailers out of interest?

 

[tonycockram]

Train split for one certainly do auto renewal! And if you are no longer allowed the card, it won’t auto renew!