Northern - Debt Recovery & Prosecutions Unit

[havahoo]

Hello, so I know what I had done was wrong I accept it. I've read a lot of these forums for advice in what to expect i.e. the letter title of the forum.

I was getting a train to Manchester Piccadilly 4 or 5 weeks ago and I bought a short ticket. Ive never done it before I very rarely get the train like less than 3 times a year. I was going for a birthday in Manchester. I guess I was being naive into thinking I could get away with it

I got on the train and went to pay the guard for the correct ticket and the guard didn't have any change so told me to get one at Manchester platform. when I did I asked for the stop before Manchester. I got took to one side and interviewed. he was a nice fella too. he advised me of the worst case and what would more than likely happen. ect so I have a letter from Arriva rail north ltd debt recovery and prosecutions unit.

"the company has a zero policy of fare evasion, on (date) you were spoken to an authorised member of staff in relation to an alledged contravention of railway regulations. An evidential report has been submitted to this office regarding this incident" it is asking for me to write any comments on the reverse of the letter.


I've written out my apology I was wandering if someone would proof read it if possible. I will be sending it off tomorrow morning/afternoon.

 

[gray1404]

Might as well you follow the advise in this thread as a starting point.

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=130296

 

[havahoo]

Thank you. would you be able to read my letter of response or point me to someone who could help in anyway.

 

[crehld]

If you dig about on the forum you'll find a couple of example letters (like the one on this thread) you can model your reply on. Just keep it concise, factual and to the point.

Start off with the basic facts of the case (date, time, location, etc.). Then offer a sincere apology which understands the situation, recognizes your actions were wrong and commits to not doing it again. And offer to pay the outstanding fare due, along with any additional costs Northern may have incurred in handling your case.

Yes, we're more than happy to read a proof.

 

[havahoo]

If you dig about on the forum you'll find a couple of example letters (like the one on this thread) you can model your reply on. Just keep it concise, factual and to the point.

Start off with the basic facts of the case (date, time, location, etc.). Then offer a sincere apology which understands the situation, recognizes your actions were wrong and commits to not doing it again. And offer to pay the outstanding fare due, along with any additional costs Northern may have incurred in handling your case.

Yes, we're more than happy to read a proof.

Here it is - just a shame I have to hand write it as my writing is shocking

Dear Sir or Madam:

Firstly and I guess the most important thing I must offer is a sincere apology for the incident on Saturday 9th of April 2016. I boarded the train at Newton-Le-Willows to Manchester Piccadilly with my friends as we were celebrating a birthday in the city that day. The guard arrived so we could purchase tickets. I was last to pay and I only had a £10 note. The guard told me he simply didn’t have any change and advised me to get the ticket at the platform.

As we arrived I walked over to the guard on the platform and I made the most idiotic mistake so far in my life. I asked for what I believe is called a short ticket. I can’t remember the stop I said as I’m not experienced with travelling on the train and very rarely use the rail service. I know that it was one very close to Manchester Piccadilly.

I am embarrassed and ashamed by my actions and regret what I did and I am petrified of the possible actions that could be taken by your selves. This is the first, only and the last time you will ever see my name on your database, I can assure you that I will not be doing it again.

What I had done was selfish in buying the wrong ticket as the money lost could have been used into improving the train services making them safer for the public and staff as well as employing more staff thus potentially creating more job opportunities in the north west and even nation wide on the rail.

When I was being interviewed by a gentleman I believe called Lee I gave him all the information he asked for so this matter could be resolved without any hassle. I offered to pay for the correct ticket but Lee advised me to just get a one way on my travel home.

I would like to offer Northern Arriva Rail compensation and any administrative costs for the whole incident and please ask if any legal action can be avoided.

Thanks for your time

Yours truly,

 

[cuccir]

Can you really not remember which station that you said? It reads a little odd that you can't?

Otherwise, that seems a reasonable apology.

 

[havahoo]

no I cant, I know its silly. but I use the train about twice a year. I didn't want to see what sounded familiar and say that in case it was wrong but they have my ticket that I signed.

I'm sending the letter off first class so it should be there tomorrow. Does anyone know the turnaround on this type of thing. Lee (the person who I believe interviewed me) said I could get a phone call or a letter back.

Also my hand writing is absolutely terrible i'm going to ring them to see if I can include an apology printed out. it says any un written paper will be discarded. Wise or not?

Many thanks.

 

[crehld]

Your letter covers everything it needs to. It's still a little long for my liking - but that's personal preference over anything else.

I cannot possibly see why they would object to a typed letter in lieu of an illegible hand written one! I see nothing wrong with typing your letter and attaching it to the form/letter you have to send back. Just write a little note referring them to the typed letter enclosed. But ringing up for clarification won't hurt.

 

[Greenback]

A typed letter looks more professional than a hand written one. It's also often easier to read! I agree that you could a bit out, my choice would be to leave the bit about improvements to the rail network.

 

[havahoo]

Thanks so much for getting back to me you guys. the past 4 weeks or so has been so stressful - thinking of the possible outcomes... the letter says "Please complete the bottom section of this letter and if you wish to make any comments, please do so on the reverse. Only written mitigation will be accepted."

 

[MarlowDonkey]

Only written mitigation will be accepted

That's ambiguous. Do they mean written as in "not verbal" or as in "not typed"?

 

[havahoo]

Only written mitigation will be accepted

That's ambiguous. Do they mean written as in "not verbal" or as in "not typed"?

I guess both Marlow, because it has to be done on the reverse of the letter, so I was guessing its hand written. I was planning on doing a hand written one anyway because it takes more effort than typing up a quick letter on word. but I wanted to do it on actual lined paper but there isn't any lines on it.

Im going to ring them at 12 to see what they say. If I can get someone to say I can include a printed apology I will put their name against it to cover my back.

ill keep you all posted thanks for quick replies.

 

[Greenback]

I'd be very, surprised if they didn't accept a typed up letter or statement attached to the reply slip.

 

[havahoo]

I'd be very, surprised if they didn't accept a typed up letter or statement attached to the reply slip.

me too.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Update: spoke to a lovely lady and she said that they put that on the letter because people ring up and try and sort it out over the phone when which is difficult to do because they have to pull up the report what the officer did on the day and make sure everything matches. then agree an out come. Which isn't practical. so a written "statement" from me is easier to manage. - so i asked if i could include a typed version if its difficult to read. she said yes. it can be typed out or written out. so ive printed my apology off and stapled it to the back.

does anyone know the lead times?

 

[crehld]

me too.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Update: spoke to a lovely lady and she said that they put that on the letter because people ring up and try and sort it out over the phone when which is difficult to do because they have to pull up the report what the officer did on the day and make sure everything matches. then agree an out come. Which isn't practical. so a written "statement" from me is easier to manage. - so i asked if i could include a typed version if its difficult to read. she said yes. it can be typed out or written out. so ive printed my apology off and stapled it to the back.

Great. Let us know how you get on.

does anyone know the lead times?

Experience from previous threads suggests it'll take around about a month for them to respond. But I guess it really depends how large their case load is.

 

[havahoo]

Great. Let us know how you get on.



Experience from previous threads suggests it'll take around about a month for them to respond. But I guess it really depends how large their case load is.

Thanks posted it special delivery £7 (the cost of the original train ticket)

ill call them Friday or Monday and asked if they have received it.

thanks again guys.

Sent with the original form with it hand written on the back + a printed version stapled.

 

[185143]

Great. Let us know how you get on.



Experience from previous threads suggests it'll take around about a month for them to respond. But I guess it really depends how large their case load is.

One of my friends replied with an apology on the 5th March and still hasnt heard back

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[najaB]

Thanks posted it special delivery £7 (the cost of the original train ticket)

ill call them Friday or Monday and asked if they have received it.

If you used special delivery you can get proof of delivery using the Royal Mail website.

 

[havahoo]

If you used special delivery you can get proof of delivery using the Royal Mail website.

I was hoping I could get this behind me before the month ends so I have paid for special delivery next day.

Just want to put this behind me.

 

[crehld]

I was hoping I could get this behind me before the month ends so I have paid for special delivery next day.

Just want to put this behind me.

You've done all you can for now. The ball is in their court now.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Only written mitigation will be accepted

That's ambiguous. Do they mean written as in "not verbal" or as in "not typed"?

Pre-trial evidence must be written, as opposed to oral. Ideally it would be in the form of a sworn Witness Statement, but even an email or letter will do.

Whether it is 'typed' or hand written is immaterial. Written evidence can be exchanged, examined, considered and referred to much more productively than any hearsay report of an oral statement.

. . . . . it can be typed out or written out. so ive printed my apology off and stapled it to the back.

That's absolutely fine.

does anyone know the lead times?

Yes. But it varies. Northern are under a bit of a backlog at present, and are trying to 'streamline' simple incidents to relieve the pressure. (That's one of the benefits of their offer of fixed-price administrative settlements). So, it may be couple of weeks, and it may be 2 or 3 months.

 

[havahoo]

Pre-trial evidence must be written, as opposed to oral. Ideally it would be in the form of a sworn Witness Statement, but even an email or letter will do.

Whether it is 'typed' or hand written is immaterial. Written evidence can be exchanged, examined, considered and referred to much more productively than any hearsay report of an oral statement.


That's absolutely fine.

Yes. But it varies. Northern are under a bit of a backlog at present, and are trying to 'streamline' simple incidents to relieve the pressure. (That's one of the benefits of their offer of fixed-price administrative settlements). So, it may be couple of weeks, and it may be 2 or 3 months.

Thanks for your detailed input Dave. I think I have seen you scattered about on this forum with similar threads. - I just want this to be over and done with, I've not been myself through the whole thing. I can certainly say I will not be doing this again. many thanks again.

I think ill ring them tomorrow and see if they have received my letter. or is that too keen?

 

[island]

Thanks for your detailed input Dave. I think I have seen you scattered about on this forum with similar threads. - I just want this to be over and done with, I've not been myself through the whole thing. I can certainly say I will not be doing this again. many thanks again.

I think ill ring them tomorrow and see if they have received my letter. or is that too keen?

There really isn't any point. Use the Royal Mail website to track the letter, but whilst they will have probably received it, they deal with correspondence in order of receipt so it will not speed things along to be ringing up.

 

[havahoo]

Hi guys. Quick update. Rang today and they said the have got my letter. And my account I think she said is on hold waiting to be reviewed. Can take between 10 - 14 working days. In my book that's just under 3 weeks from the 12th May.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Hi guys got a letter from northern and I'm happy to say I will be paying £80 + cost of fair. To anyone reading this who gets the same letter as me just pay it. Take it on the chin and pay it. I have read such threads where they have stated they they ignored it and ended up in court. I was fearing court and a criminal conviction. Even though it's a first "offence". I want to thank everyone who took the time to help me/reassure me. I'm so happy. Cheers! (I'm having a beer)

 

[crehld]

Thanks for the update and glad you got an outcome you're happy with.

Always remember to buy before you board in future!

 

[havahoo]

Thanks for the update and glad you got an outcome you're happy with.

Always remember to buy before you board in future!

Don't worry... that's another thing I never new it was an offence to not have a ticket before you board the train. So I've also learnt a lesson whilst on this forum. I will also keep active on the forum helping folk like me with a issue like mine.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

One of my friends replied with an apology on the 5th March and still hasnt heard back

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Hi mate.. just reading over my posts... I sent mine off on the 11th May and git a reply today. I would get him to contact them to arrange it before it escalates further

 

[185143]

Don't worry... that's another thing I never new it was an offence to not have a ticket before you board the train. So I've also learnt a lesson whilst on this forum. I will also keep active on the forum helping folk like me with a issue like mine.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Hi mate.. just reading over my posts... I sent mine off on the 11th May and git a reply today. I would get him to contact them to arrange it before it escalates further

Will do. He's under 16 though, wonder if that could affect things (also franchise change?)

 

[crehld]

Will do. He's under 16 though, wonder if that could affect things (also franchise change?)

It's probably best to start a new thread with all the details so we can offer more detailed advice.

 

[havahoo]

It's probably best to start a new thread with all the details so we can offer more detailed advice.

I did see something for a minor about the same situation