Short Fare

[t1]

Hi everyone,





I want to share what happened to me recently and get some advice or thoughts. Around 18:00, I was traveling by train. I went through the open barriers at St Albans, heading to Luton. Instead of buying a ticket from St Albans to Luton, I made a poor decision and bought a cheaper ticket from Luton Parkway to Luton.





When I arrived at Luton, I tried to buy a ticket again on the stairs, but that’s when the station inspector saw me. She stopped me and asked where I was coming from. I said St Albans. I’m really sorry for the mistake and I want to say I’ve learned my lesson—I won’t do it again.


The inspector said she was going to fine me. She asked for my details and if I used my rail card—I said no. Then she asked if I could afford to pay the fine; I said yes. She printed out the fine notice. I have had a fine before which I paid immediately, but this time it was different and I couldn’t pay straight away.



I’m feeling quite stressed about this and just want to sort it out responsibly.





Thanks for reading.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Jun 2025 ==

Does this count as a first offence, given that the previous fine was a civil one? Please help—I am willing to pay whatever is necessary.

 

[John R]

Can you please show us a copy of what you were given (but hide the reference number and any other identifying details). It sounds as though it may be a referral for possible prosecution, rather than a Penalty Fare, which you would have been able to pay immediately. Penalty Fares are not typically used where fare evasion is suspected, so that would be why you have not been given one this time.

 

[t1]

Can you please show us a copy of what you were given (but hide the reference number and any other identifying details). It sounds as though it may be a referral for possible prosecution, rather than a Penalty Fare, which you would have been able to pay immediately. Penalty Fares are not typically used where fare evasion is suspected, so that would be why you have not been given one this time.

S

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Jun 2025 ==

Hi, thank you for replying I will sent a photo of the ticket I received but this ticket said they will write to me in due course and it’s called a notice of intention to prosecute I think doing some research am I done for life I would happily write a letter saying I’m sorry as I am. And it’s a big lesson learnt never will do it by the way got it yesterday

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Jun 2025 ==

Hi, thank you for replying.





I will send a photo of the ticket I received. The ticket says they will write to me in due course, and I believe it’s called a Notice of Intention to Prosecute.





I’ve been doing some research, and I’m worried—am I done for life? I would happily write a letter saying I’m sorry, as I truly am. This has been a big lesson learned, and I will never do it again.





By the way, I got the ticket yesterday.

 

[30907]

S

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Jun 2025 ==

Hi, thank you for replying I will sent a photo of the ticket I received but this ticket said they will write to me in due course and it’s called a notice of intention to prosecute I think doing some research am I done for life I would happily write a letter saying I’m sorry as I am. And it’s a big lesson learnt never will do it by the way got it yesterday

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Jun 2025 ==

Hi, thank you for replying.





I will send a photo of the ticket I received. The ticket says they will write to me in due course, and I believe it’s called a Notice of Intention to Prosecute.





I’ve been doing some research, and I’m worried—am I done for life? I would happily write a letter saying I’m sorry, as I truly am. This has been a big lesson learned, and I will never do it again.





By the way, I got the ticket yesterday.

Don't panic.

Almost certainly if you engage with the process GTR will agree to settle without taking you to court.

Even if that fails, being convicted of not having a ticket isn't likely to affect your career, though it will be a bigger hit on your finances

Please come back to us forcadvice when the letter arrives.

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

It sounds as though this is the second time you've been stopped? The first time you were given a Penalty Fare which you paid. This time it looks as though you've not been given a Penalty Fare but instead have had your details taken for further investigation. We really need the paperwork you were given to be able to confirm this.

GTR are entitled to prosecute you in the Magistrates Court if they want to. What happens next is they will write to you, saying they have received a report and are considering prosecuting but asking for your version of events before they decide how to proceed. When the letter comes, post a redacted copy of it in this thread along with your draft reply and forum members will proof read it for you.

GTR are normally prepared to offer an out of court settlement to people who co-operate with their investigation and who haven't come to their attention before. Expect this to cost the fare avoided at the full Anytime rate plus an admin fee, typically £150. An issue you've got is that it seems you have come to the train company's attention before and because of this they might be more inclined to prosecute. An out of court settlement is still probably achievable but you will probably have to work a bit harder to get one.

Should GTR decide to prosecute then it will most likely be under the Railway Byelaws. A byelaw offence for a minor railway ticketing matter wouldn't normally impact career prospects as long as you are honest about what happened when asked about it.

 

[t1]

Welcome to the forum!

It sounds as though this is the second time you've been stopped? The first time you were given a Penalty Fare which you paid. This time it looks as though you've not been given a Penalty Fare but instead have had your details taken for further investigation. We really need the paperwork you were given to be able to confirm this.

GTR are entitled to prosecute you in the Magistrates Court if they want to. What happens next is they will write to you, saying they have received a report and are considering prosecuting but asking for your version of events before they decide how to proceed. When the letter comes, post a redacted copy of it in this thread along with your draft reply and forum members will proof read it for you.

GTR are normally prepared to offer an out of court settlement to people who co-operate with their investigation and who haven't come to their attention before. Expect this to cost the fare avoided at the full Anytime rate plus an admin fee, typically £150. An issue you've got is that it seems you have come to the train company's attention before and because of this they might be more inclined to prosecute. An out of court settlement is still probably achievable but you will probably have to work a bit harder to get one.

Should GTR decide to prosecute then it will most likely be under the Railway Byelaws. A byelaw offence for a minor railway ticketing matter wouldn't normally impact career prospects as long as you are honest about what happened when asked

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jun 2025 ==

I previously paid a civil penalty fare, which was settled immediately and did not go to court. I wanted to ask if this current case would still be considered my first formal offence, since the previous issue was a civil fine and not a prosecution.

Do GTR usually allow out-of-court settlements for first-time/second(this being second and final)formal offences? I’m willing to pay any amount to settle this and take full responsibility.

 

[jp4712]

You need to distinguish what you mean by first or second offence. First/second time you short fared, or first/second time you were stopped? GTR are quite likely to now look at your Trainline (or whoever you buy your tickets from) account and look for other fares between Luton and Luton Parkway.

If they find such tickets it’s still fairly likely that they’ll settle if you follow the advice that @Hadders gives in these circumstances; but you must engage, and you should start saving as they’ll want the full anytime fare for any journey you ‘shorted’ with no allowance given for the cost of the ticket that you bought.

 

[Hadders]

I previously paid a civil penalty fare, which was settled immediately and did not go to court. I wanted to ask if this current case would still be considered my first formal offence, since the previous issue was a civil fine and not a prosecution.

Just to be clear, was this a Penalty Fare? People don't normally refer to them as civil penalty fares and I want to be certain we're talking about the same thing.

A Penalty Fare is issued by a revenue protection inspector on the train and is £100 plus the fare (reduced to £50 plus the fare if paid within 21-days).

Which train company issued the Penalty Fare?

Do GTR usually allow out-of-court settlements for first-time/second(this being second and final)formal offences? I’m willing to pay any amount to settle this and take full responsibility.

There's no concept of a first formal offence etc. GTR are entitled to prosecute on the first offence if they want, they will look at the circumstances.

If someone hasn't come to their attention before then a settlement is pretty much a certainty. If you've come to their attention before (eg a Penalty Fare) then they might take a harder line. I'm not saying this will happen, I've seen cases where settlements have been offered on the second time, but you'll need to wait until GTR write to you to find out.

 

[t1]

Thank you for replying. I’m really scared as I work in IT and I’m only 19. I’m ready to pay anything and accept what I have done—I made a dumb choice again. Do you have any general advice? I feel like the world’s going to end if I ultimately have to go to court.

 

[notmyrealname]

The world isn't going to end and you will come through this. It may not get to court if you cooperate with the train company.

Please give people here the information they've asked for, so that they can help you.

 

[Hadders]

Thank you for replying. I’m really scared as I work in IT and I’m only 19. I’m ready to pay anything and accept what I have done—I made a dumb choice again. Do you have any general advice? I feel like the world’s going to end if I ultimately have to go to court.

My general advice is it will be sortable. There's nothing you can do until you get a letter from GTR so put the matter to the back of your mind for now and get on with your life. And obviously make sure any train travel from now on is with 100% valid tickets.

When the letter does arrive come back here and forum members will assist with next steps.

 

[WesternLancer]

Thank you for replying. I’m really scared as I work in IT and I’m only 19. I’m ready to pay anything and accept what I have done—I made a dumb choice again. Do you have any general advice? I feel like the world’s going to end if I ultimately have to go to court.

The general advice is to

- wait until they contact you so you can see exactly what they are accusing you of doing

then when you respond to them in writing, persuade them that

- you understand what you did was wrong and why it was wrong
- that you will cease doing it and won't do it again (you have been reported because they probably saw you had had a Penalty Fare before and had not learned a lesson from that so this time they want to investigate what you have done, check if there re other incidents that your digital fingerprints suggest they should ask you about and seek payment for etc etc)
- in future you will always buy a ticket for your full journey before you get on any trains
- you are sorry for what you did
- you are prepared to pay them what you owe in evaded fares
- and would they be sympathetic to a request to settle the matter without involving the court

people here will hep you get that response as good as it can be when you hear from the railway company

 

[t1]

I am writing to express my deepest apologies for the fare evasion on my journey on [date] from London Bridge to Luton. I fully accept that what I did was wrong and illegal.


I sincerely regret my actions and the trouble caused to your team. I now understand that travelling without a valid ticket is completely unacceptable, and I am very sorry for wasting your time and resources.

I had help making this I think I may possibly look into getting a so
When I was questioned, I panicked and gave false information about my journey. I wrongly stated that I had travelled from St Albans, when I had actually boarded at London Bridge. I also said I didn’t use a Railcard when I did, and I deeply regret not being truthful in that moment. I now realise how serious that was, and I am very sorry for my dishonesty.



I also want to apologise for a past mistake, where I received a penalty fare. I recognise this shows that I had not fully learned from that experience, and I am truly sorry.


I want to be honest and acknowledge that there have been other occasions in the past where I travelled without a valid ticket and was not caught. I accept full responsibility for those instances too and am willing to pay for all unpaid fares to make things right.


Going forward, I will always ensure I buy a valid ticket for my full journey before travelling. I take full accountability for what I’ve done and sincerely want to make amends.


I am prepared to pay all outstanding fares and any associated costs. I kindly ask whether this matter can be settled without the need for a court hearing. I am very sorry once again and thank you for considering my request.



Any improvements?

I had some help putting this together properly, and I want to be honest (what i wrote was the true in this letter) now. I’m also seriously considering getting a solicitor involved. They’ve handled much more serious fare evasion cases than mine and still managed to secure out-of-court settlements. I know what I did was wrong

 

[antharro]

It's a start. Needs some editing. I wouldn't think you'd need to mention the previous penalty fare as it may not be relevant to this case. But as has been said, we can't advise fully until you receive and show us the letter from the railway company. Sit tight, and come on back when you've received that letter!

 

[Honestviews]

Hi can I just clarify where you started your journey. In you first post you said you started at st Albans but in your draft letter you said London Bridge. It's important to get the facts right.

 

[30907]

Hi can I just clarify where you started your journey. In you first post you said you started at st Albans but in your draft letter you said London Bridge. It's important to get the facts right.

I would assume that the draft letter is right

 

[t1]

I would assume that the draft letter is right

Quick question does govia usually go with an out of court settlement ? I really want to pay back everything as it’s a very silly decision I have made