Thameslink prosecutions

[thameslink1212]

Hi all,
I've recently started working on London full time and have been caught on two separate occasions with Thameslink. My typical journey is Flitwick to London however sometimes to/from Luton.

• Firstly, in September, I was caught travelling without a valid 26-30 railcard. I have gone back and I had taken approximately 14 journeys since the railcard expired, this was a genuine mistake. My understanding from the officer was that if I purchased immediately and submitted it would be ok as I was eligible, however I've since been advised this is not the case and I am expecting a NIP letter.
• Secondly, a couple of days ago I was caught short faring. I am deeply embarrassed about this and it was from a place of financial desperation, which I know is not an excuse and I deeply regret my actions. I have truly learnt my lesson from that experience! I looked back and had short fared x4 times including the time I was caught.

I am of course really worried about this and willing to pay all fees and incorrect fares to GTR to avoid court. I appreciate I need to wait for the letters but any advice at this stage would be hugely appreciated, and thoughts on whether I could combine the cases when I get the first letter to hopefully settle them together.
Thank you.

 

[John R]

Welcome to the forum you never wanted to join! GTR is one of the more pragmatic operators, and usually an out of court settlement is straightforward provided you cooperate, apologise, promise not to do it again and ask nicely for a settlement once written to.

However, two strikes in such a short space of time might test the patience of the investigators, particularly as the second one is clearly fare evasion, so until you receive a letter and enter into correspondence with them then it is perhaps less clear how smoothly the process will run. If you have an investigation reference for both cases then I guess it could be possible to ask for them both to be considered at the same time once written to.

 

[Titfield]

I think it would be prudent to mention both instances in the response to the first letter. Whilst forum members do not recommend self incrimination it appears to me that GTR will match the two together and being upfront about both will at least hopefully reduce the toing and froing as you ask for an out of court settlement. It may also look better than them realising later that you are a repeat "fare evader".

May I suggest that you look at some of the cases on this forum and start drafting your response ready for the letter to arrive though it may be some time before it is received.

Have you now purchased the appropriate railcard? Being able to produce proof of this will help put you in a more favourable light.

 

[thameslink1212]

Thank you so much for your speedy replies. I will start thinking about a response mentioning both cases for when I get the first letter, as I really want to have these both resolved ASAP and want to be upfront and honest about my mistakes.
Yes, I immediately purchased a railcard which they are aware of.

 

[Titfield]

Yes, I immediately purchased a railcard which they are aware of.

Please make sure though that you include this in your response as it goes to taking the matter seriously and abiding by the regulations etc.

 

[Haywain]

Please make sure though that you include this in your response as it goes to taking the matter seriously and abiding by the regulations etc.

I'm not sure that saying "I immediately bought a railcard, and then short-fared a few weeks later", will have quite the desired effect.

 

[Titfield]

I'm not sure that saying "I immediately bought a railcard, and then short-fared a few weeks later", will have quite the desired effect.

Thanks I missed that they had bought the railcard after encounter 1.

Given what we see on here I am not sure that it will actually make any difference either way.

It does almost seem as if prosecutions are only resorted to when (a) there is no engagement (b) abuse or violence is involved (3) fraught as correctly defined is involved.

It also makes me wonder what it will actually take to stop some people from fare evading.

 

[WesternLancer]

Yes, I immediately purchased a railcard which they are aware of.

Just on this you can not assume that the people dealing with your case will be aware you have bought a railcard - you will need to tell them that in your response if you want them to be aware of it.