SW Railway- Could not show valid railcard

[railcardhelp23]

Hi all,

Looking for an advice on an incident earlier this year. I was travelling from London Waterloo to New Milton and was asked to show my ticket and railcard by a revenue protection officer around Brockenhurst (New Forest), an area that has no signal. I had previously bought a 26-30 railcard, valid for a year, in August 2024 but I had not linked it to my Trainline account so could not show it alongside my ticket. I was logged out of my railcard app where the valid railcard was present and could not log in due to the lack of signal on the train. Today I received a letter from the SW train prosecution department asking for either payment or to go to court. I have emailed the prosecutions department with screenshots of my railcard in the railcard app and showing the payment in August last year when I bought it. Would really appreciate some advice about what to expect now.
Thank you

 

[AlterEgo]

As you’ve sent them proof of the valid railcard they should drop the matter. You get one opportunity a year to forget or fail to display your railcard.

 

[Gloster]

You can expect SWR will close the case: I don’t know whether they send you an acknowledgement of this. Keep an eye on your postbox, inbox and spam box just in case something goes awry (it has happened). Do remember that you have now used up your one allowance a year for a forgotten railcard and next time they might not let you off.

I am not an expert.

 

[Hadders]

I agree that sending them a screen shot of the railcard should resolve the matter as long as the railcard was valid for the journey being made. It might not be possible to take a screenshot of the railcard on your phone, if it isn't then take a photo of it using another device. I'd send a brief covering email with the screen shot explaining the situation. Pop a draft in here if you want us to proof read it.

If you don't get a favourable response from SWR then come back here and we can offer further assistance.