Thameslink intention to prosecute

[train46]

Hi Railforums,

I received a letter from Thameslink stating their intention to prosecute after I was caught short faring, something which I deeply regret. It states that they ask the court to impose the maximum penalty. I was wondering what the likelihood of this happening is and how members advise I respond.

I have looked through several forums with information on how to respond and would greatly appreciate any advice regarding my draft response:

Dear Fare Evasion Manager,

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to your letter dated xxxxx, reference number: xxxxx.

On xxxxx, I was stopped by a Revenue Protection Inspector at xxxxx station and was unable to produce a valid ticket for my travel.

I boarded the train that morning at xxxxx station, after taking the overground from xxxxx station, for which I used a contactless payment.

I did not realise that I had not purchased a ticket for the subsequent journey, until I was on the train to Gatwick. In that moment, I made the poor decision to buy a ticket for a shorter journey than the one I was actually taking. When the ticket didn’t scan properly, I was asked to step aside and provide my details.

I have no excuse for my actions. I recognise that what I did was unethical, and I deeply regret it. I fully understand the negative impact fare evasion has on the railway system, and this is not something I want to contribute to. I accept full responsibility and am genuinely sorry for my behaviour.

Since this incident, I have been absolutely certain to always purchase the correct ticket before boarding, and I will continue to do so moving forward.

I would be extremely grateful for the opportunity to resolve this matter out of court. I wish to make amends by paying any fees deemed necessary, including the full fare and any administrative costs incurred.

Yours sincerely,
xxxxx

 

[notmyrealname]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

I expect the experts will be here later on but in the meantime I think it would be helpful for them to see what you've been sent by Thameslink. Make sure you cover up your personal details and their reference number.

 

[train46]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

I expect the experts will be here later on but in the meantime I think it would be helpful for them to see what you've been sent by Thameslink. Make sure you cover up your personal details and their reference number.

Thank you, this is the letter Thameslink sent me attached.

 

[John R]

“I did not realise that I had not purchased a ticket for the subsequent journey…”

Is this true? If not, you should not say it. (Even if it is, they are unlikely to believe it.)

I’m not that familiar with the ticketing in the area, but isn’t contactless available all the way to Gatwick Airport?

 

[train46]

“I did not realise that I had not purchased a ticket for the subsequent journey…”

Is this true? If not, you should not say it. (Even if it is, they are unlikely to believe it.)

I’m not that familiar with the ticketing in the area, but isn’t contactless available all the way to Gatwick Airport?

Thank you. It genuinely is true - usually I purchase a ticket before entering the station, rather than using contactless. On this occasion I had entered the station via a short overground route with contactless payment. As it’s almost a daily journey for me, I suppose I subconsciously assumed I had bought a ticket prior.

Would you recommend removing this / rewording this part?

I think contactless is available at Gatwick but I’ve never used it.

 

[John R]

Thank you. It genuinely is true - usually I purchase a ticket before entering the station, rather than using contactless. On this occasion I had entered the station via a short overground route with contactless payment. As it’s almost a daily journey for me, I suppose I subconsciously assumed I had bought a ticket prior.

Would you recommend removing this / rewording this part?

I think contactless is available at Gatwick but I’ve never used it.

So normally you buy a ticket, but today started at a different station (?) and used a different method of payment (contactless). Yet you thought it was just your normal journey?

Perhaps you can see why the investigator reading your letter will doubt that you are being truthful?

 

[train46]

So normally you buy a ticket, but today started at a different station (?) and used a different method of payment (contactless). Yet you thought it was just your normal journey?

Perhaps you can see why the investigator reading your letter will doubt that you are being truthful?

Yes I see why they might doubt that. Would you suggest removing this sentence entirely?

 

[Cuthbert]

It is not "Might" but "They will".

 

[John R]

Yes I see why they might doubt that. Would you suggest removing this sentence entirely?

I don’t think it will help persuade them that you are genuinely remorseful.

 

[Skimpot flyer]

If you tapped in at xxxx station, are you claiming that you didn’t tap out, at all? If true, you will have been charged a maximum fare by TfL.
Or is the truth that you tapped out at Farringdon, using the standalone readers on the Thameslink platforms, and boarded a train to Gatwick in the full knowledge that you were not in possession of a ticket?

 

[train46]

I don’t think it will help persuade them that you are genuinely remorseful.

Thank you, I will amend it.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jan 2025 ==

If you tapped in at xxxx station, are you claiming that you didn’t tap out, at all? If true, you will have been charged a maximum fare by TfL.
Or is the truth that you tapped out at Farringdon, using the standalone readers on the Thameslink platforms, and boarded a train to Gatwick in the full knowledge that you were not in possession of a ticket?

I did tap out before boarding the train to Gatwick (at Clapham Junction, not at Farringdon), then rushed to make the subsequent train before purchasing the (regrettably, shorter) ticket on board.

 

[30907]

I did tap out before boarding the train to Gatwick (at Clapham Junction, not at Farringdon), then rushed to make the subsequent train before purchasing the (regrettably, shorter) ticket on board.

Oyster/contactless is valid through to Gatwick Airport.

Unfortunately, therefore, tapping out unnecessarily at CLJ and then boarding another train looks exactly like deliberate short-faring, as others have already observed.

The good news is that GTR will almost certainly offer to settle out of court provided you engage with them - and if they identify further cheating, being honest with them.

For future reference, using contactless will almost certainly be a way to save money without cheating.

 

[train46]

Oyster/contactless is valid through to Gatwick Airport.

Unfortunately, therefore, tapping out unnecessarily at CLJ and then boarding another train looks exactly like deliberate short-faring, as others have already observed.

The good news is that GTR will almost certainly offer to settle out of court provided you engage with them - and if they identify further cheating, being honest with them.

For future reference, using contactless will almost certainly be a way to save money without cheating.

Thank you for your reply and advice, I really appreciate it. This is my revised draft, taking the advice into account:

Dear Fare Evasion Manager,

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to your letter dated xxxx, reference number: xxxx.

On xxxx, I was stopped by a Revenue Protection Inspector at Gatwick Airport station and was unable to produce a valid ticket for my travel.

I boarded the train that morning at Clapham Junction, after taking the overground from xxxx, for which I used a contactless payment.

On board the journey to Gatwick, I made the poor decision to buy a ticket for a shorter journey than the one I was actually taking. When the ticket didn’t scan properly at the gates, I was asked to step aside and provide my details.

I have no excuse for my actions. I recognise that what I did was unethical, and I deeply regret it. I fully understand the negative impact fare evasion has on the railway system, and this is not something I want to contribute to. I accept full responsibility and am genuinely sorry for my behaviour.

Since this incident, I have been absolutely certain to always purchase the correct ticket before boarding, and I will continue to do so moving forward.

I would be extremely grateful for the opportunity to resolve this matter out of court. I wish to make amends by paying any fees deemed necessary, including the full fare and any administrative costs incurred.

Yours sincerely,
Xxxx