Northern Rail Debt Recovery Letter

[zcv45]

Hello.

Today my letter arrived from the debt recovery and prosecutions unit. It says I was "spoken to for an alleged contravention of Railway Regulations .... before the company proceeds further with its investigations we would like to give you the opportunity to respond with your explanation concerning it"

The journey I take every day is a return from Bolton to Manchester. One day, I instead had to get off at Horwich on the return back (first time this has happened). When I arrived at Horwich I only purchased a return from Lostock and this is why they stopped me.

I know that I should have purchased a ticket for this different journey before getting on the train and I know it was stupid of me to buy the incorrect ticket once I arrived there. I don't even know why I did it, it's not like I even needed to use the return bit to lostock. I've been really stressed out and it's on my mind when I wake up and go to sleep.

I've been reading past threads on this site and it seem the best thing for me to do is write a letter of apology and hope they are generous enough to settle out of court. I'd really appreciate if I could get some feedback on my draft letter so far:

(also their letter was sent 29th december and says I have 2 weeks to respond, but I've only just received it today, I have to have a reply to them by sunday??)
.................................

Firstly I offer my sincerest apology for purchasing the incorrect ticket. Needless to say, I am embarrassed and ashamed by my action.

I travel to Manchester University every weekday by getting on the train at Bolton and purchasing a return ticket to Manchester. However, on this particular day, on my return journey I instead had to get off at Horwich Parkway, as I have part-time work at the Reebok Stadium when football games are on. This is the first time since working there that I have had to get off at Horwich like this – games are nearly always on a Saturday.
When I arrived at Horwich Parkway I incorrectly purchased a return from Lostock. I honestly can’t give an explanation for why I would do this; I had no reason or intention of even using the return part. I feel very foolish and am sorry for the trouble I have caused.

I have used trains for my daily commute to Manchester for many years now and have never done anything like this and can assure you I will certainly never do it again.

I would be extremely grateful if you would allow this matter to settle amicably and without involving the courts. I would of course cover the cost of the proper fare as well as any other costs you have incurred from perusing this matter.

I hope this can be agreed to and, again, I offer my sincerest apologies.

 

[34D]

Why not buy a season ticket? They will think you are a serial fare evader, so probably best not to suggest you go every day.

 

[cuccir]

You're correct in your approach to apologise, but I'd agree that there's no need to have all this circumstantial material in there. Simply state your embarrassment and regret. Do note that this is the first time that you've done this, and retain your offer to settle.

Given the quick turnaround desired, you might also get piece of mind from sending the letter by Special Delivery.

 

[island]

It's a criminal offence to join a train without a ticket at a station where ticket-purchasing facilities exist. It is also a criminal offence to attempt to pay a short fare.

The good news is that Northern Rail is normally agreeable to settling matters like this out of court as long as you haven't come to its attention before, but in this case you are likely to be asked for a payment of £85.50.

 

[Haywain]

Firstly I offer my sincerest apology for purchasing the incorrect ticket. Needless to say, I am embarrassed and ashamed by my action.

I travel to Manchester University every weekday by getting on the train at Bolton and purchasing a return ticket to Manchester. However, on this particular day, on my return journey I instead had to get off at Horwich Parkway, as I have part-time work at the Reebok Stadium when football games are on. This is the first time since working there that I have had to get off at Horwich like this – games are nearly always on a Saturday.
When I arrived at Horwich Parkway I incorrectly purchased a return from Lostock. I honestly can’t give an explanation for why I would do this; I had no reason or intention of even using the return part. I feel very foolish and am sorry for the trouble I have caused.

I have used trains for my daily commute to Manchester for many years now and have never done anything like this and can assure you I will certainly never do it again.

I would be extremely grateful if you would allow this matter to settle amicably and without involving the courts. I would of course cover the cost of the proper fare as well as any other costs you have incurred from perusing this matter.

I hope this can be agreed to and, again, I offer my sincerest apologies.

You might want to think about your wording. To me it reads as though the mistake was in buying a return, rather than in buying from Lostock. And you can't think why you would do that? I can, and I expect that Northern can.

 

[zcv45]

Why not buy a season ticket? They will think you are a serial fare evader, so probably best not to suggest you go every day.

I am at uni I so have late starts - so buying daily off peak tickets can work out cheaper than a season. I think I will just word it as "I return from Bolton to Manchester each day"

You're correct in your approach to apologise, but I'd agree that there's no need to have all this circumstantial material in there. Simply state your embarrassment and regret. Do note that this is the first time that you've done this, and retain your offer to settle.

Given the quick turnaround desired, you might also get piece of mind from sending the letter by Special Delivery.

I really want to keep my message short but I feel as if I do not explain why this is a 1-off they will assume it is a common thing.

You might want to think about your wording. To me it reads as though the mistake was in buying a return, rather than in buying from Lostock. And you can't think why you would do that? I can, and I expect that Northern can.

Like I say I had no intention of using the return, I wouldn't be catching any more trains that night. The mistake was buying from Lostock I think

 

[bb21]

Like I say I had no intention of using the return, I wouldn't be catching any more trains that night.

I think Haywain's point is that the emphasis of your letter should not be on buying a return instead of a single, because that is immaterial, but on the fact that you asked for a short ticket.

There is always a reason why people ask for a short ticket, and I can think of several. Admitting that you made a stupid decision can be more conducive to a positive response than evading the question altogether.