London Midland Short-Fare

[Kenconut]

I think you now have a letter that you can be happy with - although it might be worth waiting around a bit (maybe until later today) before sending it to see whether anyone else has any comments to make.

As to how to start and end the letter, don't worry too much about this: yours will not be the only letter that is received, and whoever has to deal with it at London Midland will be more interested in the content than whether you have phrased it in the exact way that they like. Personally, if you aren't writing to a named person, then I would suggest that you should start 'Dear Sir or Madam', and sign off 'Yours faithfully', but it's not critical. Given that you have been asked



Just putting your statement and your signature is probably enough

What does matter is making sure that your letter gets to the right person, and that any reply will get back to you. So make sure that

- you send the letter to the right address (if you haven't been sent an envelope, check what is given on the letter they sent you)
- you mention any reference in the letter on the envelope
- your name and address are correct (someone wrote down details when you were first interviewed, and its very easy for things to be written down a little wrong: the Royal Mail managed to deliver this letter to you but if there are mistakes in the name and address you may not be so lucky next time)
- you keep a copy of everything you have been sent, and everything that you have sent (hopefully nothing will get lost. But it's better to have copies of everything and not need them, rather than not have copies and then find you do need them).

Thank you so much for the feedback so far, it really helps! The letter was dated 22nd (Wednesday). If I were to leave it to the weekend to be sent off, would this not run the risk of being delivered late? (Which was why I opted to get it delivered today).

EDIT: Turns out the home printer is malfunctioning, so I guess I can take any further advice, will be sending it off first-class tomorrow.

EDIT 2: Here is the current version

"
Dear Sir or Madam,

On the 9th November, I arrived at my destination station (Snow Hill), and in an attempt to get a cheaper ticket fare, I opted to dishonestly tell rail staff my origin station as being one closer to my destination (Jewellery Quarter). Upon scrutiny, I had admitted to staff I had in fact arrived from a different origin station (Rowley Regis).

My actions were juvenile, cowardly, inconsiderate, and outright disrespectful to the nature of the service London Midland and its staff have provided me over the years for transport. I apologise for the disrespect I showed to both London Midland alongside fellow passengers.

This was a spur of the moment decision and out of character for me, and as such I'm embarrassed by my actions. I assure you that I will not repeat this behaviour.

I can only hope that as recompense for my actions, you would provide me the chance to pay for any administrative costs I have put upon London Midland staff, alongside the cost of the original ticket fare. I would be grateful if you could let me know what sum would be acceptable to you to bring this matter to an end.

I hope that you will accept my sincere apologies and wishes to resolve the matter.

Yours faithfully,
"

 

[jonnytaylor14]

Have you heard back from them?

 

[Kenconut]

Have you heard back from them?

Hi, yeah I had a response whereby they respected I didn't "hide" my wrongdoing and offered £94 to settle the matter which I gladly accepted.

Didn't put anything back here considering I stopped getting replies. If you're in this situation or someone else you know is and you know you've genuinely got no excuse, just admit to it; it will save you a lot of trouble in future.

 

[Puffing Devil]

Hi, yeah I had a response whereby they respected I didn't "hide" my wrongdoing and offered £94 to settle the matter which I gladly accepted.

Thank-you for posting back with the result. Hopefully that's now "lesson learnt"?

You have committed an offence by attempting to evade the full fare due for your journey. Was your further questioning done by a ticket office clerk or a Revenue Protection Officer? The only thing you can do is respond to the letter you are about to receive with a grovelling apology, explaining how it was a moment of madness and that you are sorry, it won't happen again and offer them an out of court settlement, I'd suggest £600. They are, however under no obligation to accept this.

£600 is likely way too much for a simple short fare, unless it has happened over a long period of time. There is nothing to suggest this has happened here. I wouldn't initially specify an amount but instead let them come up with that. Just say their costs and the full fare due.

I think this shows the danger of wading in with advice without experience. If you don't know you shouldn't be posting; this is a serious part of the forum that impacts lives, not fantasy railway prosecutor. mikeg was spot on. MG11 not so.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Unfortunately we seem to be going in a circle with short faring.

It's "common knowledge" you can do it.
People trying it on are easily caught out.
Out of court Settlements become a useful revenue stream.
Offenders keep it quite.
It remains "common knowledge" you can do it.