Train fare prosecution

[Trainfare101]

I have been travelling using the Trainline app for a couple of years and I selected that I had a 16-25 railcard. What I didn’t know was that it had expired 2 years ago as I thought it would cover the full 16-25 period (I am 24). I provided all my details and they took pictures of my previous journeys, I wanted to be as cooperative as possible. I’m really worried about what’s going to happen next as this was such a stupid oversight on my behalf.

 

[island]

What train company were you travelling with when you were stopped?

This is potentially going to be expensive as they'll look back at the illegal travel you've made and will potentially want up to the full anytime fare per journey made.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

@Trainfare101. Welcome to the forum.

You can probably expect to receive a letter from the train company's investigation team in the next few weeks advising that they are considering prosecuting you and asking for your explanation of what you've done.

Problematic thing is that if you've inappropriately been claiming a railcard discount for some time, and then travelled without an accompanying valid, in date, railcard, you'll be treated as not having had a valid ticket for each and every such occasion.

The train company will be wanting you to pay them all these unpaid back fares, and so the total amount due could quickly add up. They'll probably ask you for a low three figure sum, on top, towards their admin and investigation expenses.

How many times do you reckon you may have travelled after the railcard expired, and what would the typical journey have been?

Easy enough for them to check your ticket purchasing history if you've bought your tickets online using the likes of Trainline.

Could be expensive, but if you properly co-operate with the train company's investigation team, you should avoid being taken to court, where, from what you've told us, there's every chance you'd be found guilty.

 

[Trainfare101]

What train company were you travelling with when you were stopped?

This is potentially going to be expensive as they'll look back at the illegal travel you've made and will potentially want up to the full anytime fare per journey made.

This was with great anglia

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Dec 2023 ==

@Trainfare101. Welcome to the forum.

You can probably expect to receive a letter from the train company's investigation team in the next few weeks advising that they are considering prosecuting you and asking for your explanation of what you've done.

Problematic thing is that if you've inappropriately been claiming a railcard discount for some time, and then travelled without an accompanying valid, in date, railcard, you'll be treated as not having had a valid ticket for each and every such occasion.

The train company will be wanting you to pay them all these unpaid back fares, and so the total amount due could quickly add up. They'll probably ask you for a low three figure sum, on top, towards their admin and investigation expenses.

How many times do you reckon you may have travelled after the railcard expired, and what would the typical journey have been?

Easy enough for them to check your ticket purchasing history if you've bought your tickets online using the likes of Trainline.

Could be expensive, but if you properly co-operate with the train company's investigation team, you should avoid being taken to court, where, from what you've told us, there's every chance you'd be found guilty.

I completely get that it’s expensive. The journeys were short and for a couple of stops, that’s why I never questioned the price. Im going to cooperate as much as possible and will happily pay whatever to avoid it being escalated.

I am expecting to pay but was wondering about the likelihood of other cases where they’ve decided to go to court and pursue other options

 

[WesternLancer]

This was with great anglia

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Dec 2023 ==


I completely get that it’s expensive. The journeys were short and for a couple of stops, that’s why I never questioned the price. Im going to cooperate as much as possible and will happily pay whatever to avoid it being escalated.

I am expecting to pay but was wondering about the likelihood of other cases where they’ve decided to go to court and pursue other options

at least short trips will help reduce the cost.

To avoid the court action you need to persuade them of the genuine error of this as a mistake - they will be most likely to want to take to court people who deliberately evade their fares - op you need to persuade them that is not you.

If you can buy a new Railcard ASAP that is something you can point towards that you have done as a prompt action to prevent the situation re-occurring as soon as it was drawn to your attention.

 

[Trainfare101]

at least short trips will help reduce the cost.

To avoid the court action you need to persuade them of the genuine error of this as a mistake - they will be most likely to want to take to court people who deliberately evade their fares - op you need to persuade them that is not you.

If you can buy a new Railcard ASAP that is something you can point towards that you have done as a prompt action to prevent the situation re-occurring as soon as it was drawn to your attention.

Do you have any ideas of ways that helps persuade. I’m going to be as transparent as possible, I know it’s such a stupid thing to not ever look at my railcard but I never had an issue. I saw from another post when presenting your facts, to be short and concise, would you agree?

 

[WesternLancer]

Do you have any ideas of ways that helps persuade. I’m going to be as transparent as possible, I know it’s such a stupid thing to not ever look at my railcard but I never had an issue. I saw from another post when presenting your facts, to be short and concise, would you agree?

Totally agree with that advice as the regular advice given on here as the way to respond. Don't lie, tell them the truth, offer to 'make things right' by paying what you owe.

When you get the letter from them you can post your draft reply up here for people to advise on how to get it as good as possible.

In the mean time if you can work out (but not post here) your ticket purchasing over the time period you can start to get a good idea of how often this happened and thus what you may need to have ready to pay.