Transport Investigations Ltd. - response to letter regarding invalid ticket

[mi1234]

Hello everyone ,

I have received an initial letter from Transport Investigations Ltd regarding an invalid ticket I traveled with in the South Wales area. I am panicking and would be grateful for some advice. I have attached a response letter. Please let me know if it sounds ok?

Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[mikeg]

We really need more info. In what way was your ticket invalid and what happened when you were stopped? From where were you travelling? What was your destination?

 

[ainsworth74]

Please would you upload a copy of the letter that you were sent by TIL (with your personal information redacted along with any reference numbers) and also have a look at the below from the sticky thread, we'll need this information to be best able to help:

Please bear in mind the following, when asking for advice in this section:

• We need to know all relevant facts in order to assist you, including, for example:
  • The stations* where you actually started & finished your journey
  • The stations* where you changed trains (if applicable);
  • If you presented a ticket(s), the information* stated under "Ticket type", "From", "To", "Route", and any other relevant details;
  • Details of any Railcard(s) held;
  • When and where ticket(s) were purchased, including whether this was prior to the journey commencing;
  • What happened in any encounter with railway staff;
  • Upload copies of any paperwork (with personal details redacted) with your post.

 

[mi1234]

We really need more info. In what way was your ticket invalid and what happened when you were stopped? From where were you travelling? What was your destination?

Please would you upload a copy of the letter that you were sent by TIL (with your personal information redacted along with any reference numbers) and also have a look at the below from the sticky thread, we'll need this information to be best able to help:

Hi both, thanks for your responses. I was stopped at Cardiff Central with the incorrect ticket. I was travelling from Eastbrook to Cardiff Central and I had a ticket from Grangetown to Cardiff Central, however Grangetown station was shut. I told the person questioning me that it was a mistake. I should note that this was the only incident of short faring. I am owning up to my mistakes as I was foolish and do not want any court proceedings. I’ve attached the initial letter. Thank you.

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

Let's be honest, what you did wasn't a mistake. It would be better to describe it as an error of judgement.

Your reply is along the right lines but you need to mention the journey you made and say that you ponly purchased a ticket from Grangetown.
You've no right to an out of court settlement - the train company are entitled to prosecute you in the Magistrates Court if they want to so you might want to say something like 'I wondered if it would be possible to settle this case without going to court. I am prepared to you the outstanding fare plus your costs in dealing with this matter'.

TIL are notoriously difficult to deal with. They will probably reject your initial reply and send another letter saying they see no reason why the matter shouldn't proceed to court. They usually do settle but it normally takes two or three letters to be sent to get them to offer a settlement.

Finally, you must send them a proper letter with your signature on it. You can email it but it needs to be a scanned copy of the letter attached to an email. Just sending an email on it's own won't work with them.

 

[mi1234]

Welcome to the forum!

Let's be honest, what you did wasn't a mistake. It would be better to describe it as an error of judgement.

Your reply is along the right lines but you need to mention the journey you made and say that you ponly purchased a ticket from Grangetown.
You've no right to an out of court settlement - the train company are entitled to prosecute you in the Magistrates Court if they want to so you might want to say something like 'I wondered if it would be possible to settle this case without going to court. I am prepared to you the outstanding fare plus your costs in dealing with this matter'.

TIL are notoriously difficult to deal with. They will probably reject your initial reply and send another letter saying they see no reason why the matter shouldn't proceed to court. They usually do settle but it normally takes two or three letters to be sent to get them to offer a settlement.

Finally, you must send them a proper letter with your signature on it. You can email it but it needs to be a scanned copy of the letter attached to an email. Just sending an email on it's own won't work with them.

Hi @Hadders , thanks so much for your response. I’ve made the necessary amendments. Just to confirm, can I type the letter or should it be hand written ?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jul 2025 ==

Welcome to the forum!

Let's be honest, what you did wasn't a mistake. It would be better to describe it as an error of judgement.

Your reply is along the right lines but you need to mention the journey you made and say that you ponly purchased a ticket from Grangetown.
You've no right to an out of court settlement - the train company are entitled to prosecute you in the Magistrates Court if they want to so you might want to say something like 'I wondered if it would be possible to settle this case without going to court. I am prepared to you the outstanding fare plus your costs in dealing with this matter'.

TIL are notoriously difficult to deal with. They will probably reject your initial reply and send another letter saying they see no reason why the matter shouldn't proceed to court. They usually do settle but it normally takes two or three letters to be sent to get them to offer a settlement.

Finally, you must send them a proper letter with your signature on it. You can email it but it needs to be a scanned copy of the letter attached to an email. Just sending an email on it's own won't work with them.

Does the attached response sound more appropriate ? Thank you

 

[Dan8801]

I've recently had dealings with TIL on a TfW service, I did secure a settlement however I did need to write to them on 3 seperate occasions before this was offered so you're going to need to be both patient and persistent assuming this is your desired outcome.

 

[Hadders]

Hi @Hadders , thanks so much for your response. I’ve made the necessary amendments. Just to confirm, can I type the letter or should it be hand written ?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jul 2025 ==



Does the attached response sound more appropriate ? Thank you

This is much better. Wait a day or so to see if any other forum members have any other suggestions but if not I think it's good to go.

It's best if you can print the letter on to a plain sheet of A4 rather than handwriting it. Make sure it has your name, address and the case reference number on it. Make sure you sign it. Then you need to either post the letter or scan it and email it as an attachment.

I've recently had dealings with TIL on a TfW service, I did secure a settlement however I did need to write to them on 3 seperate occasions before this was offered so you're going to need to be both patient and persistent assuming this is your desired outcome.

Thanks for confirming this, we see this sort of behaviour from TIL on a regular basis.

 

[mi1234]

This is much better. Wait a day or so to see if any other forum members have any other suggestions but if not I think it's good to go.

It's best if you can print the letter on to a plain sheet of A4 rather than handwriting it. Make sure it has your name, address and the case reference number on it. Make sure you sign it. Then you need to either post the letter or scan it and email it as an attachment.


Thanks for confirming this, we see this sort of behaviour from TIL on a regular basis.

I've recently had dealings with TIL on a TfW service, I did secure a settlement however I did need to write to them on 3 seperate occasions before this was offered so you're going to need to be both patient and persistent assuming this is your desired outcome.

Thanks for the advice both.