Travel Irregularity Notice

[super9irl]

Yesterday I received a travel irregularity notice on a train from Liverpool to Manchester. My friend had bought my ticket for me and she had her railcard selected when buying the ticket, and I have never been in this situation and never had a railcard before, so I didn’t realise I could even be asked to provide one. When asked to provide one by the inspector on the train, I realised it was necessary to have one and I stupidly said I had left it at home and I can’t get hold of it. He then issued a travel irregularity notice and said I will be sent a letter, which will give me 21 days to provide evidence of the railcard, and also give space for correspondence incase I can’t provide the evidence.
I know now i will be honest in my statement and I will say that it was an honest mistake, I don’t have a railcard, and I was challenged by anxiety, which I do have, hence why I panicked in the moment and lied. However, I am so scared of the consequences involved here. I am happy to pay a fine, but I am worried about them taking it further due to the fact i was dishonest in the first place. I can genuinely say this was an honest mistake. I have never attempted to use any discount before, I have always payed the full price of my tickets (so it is not a repeated offence), and I genuinely folded under anxiety and the pressure of other people watching me. Other than the lie, I fully cooperated, provided my full details and stayed polite and submissive.
What do you think is the best course of action in this situation, and how TPE deals with something like this?

 

[SECR 65]

Welcome to the forum,

I don't have any experience of TPE specifically, but I'm sure other members do. I'll talk you through the typical process folloed by other operators, and I'm sure other members will correct any details that differ for TPE.

The inspector will have passed on your details to the back office team. TPE have six months to begin court proceedings, if this is something they wish to do.The first step is that they will send you a letter. It may take several months to arrive - again, I don't know about TPE specific timescales.

The letter will, as the inspector has told you, probably give you the opportunity to upload your railcard. Letters often threaten prosecution, which is absolutely possible, and does happen, but in most cases can be avoided and an out of court settlement agreed.

Unfortunately there is little you can do until the letter arrives. One thing I would suggest is having a read of some other threads on here. See if you can find some TPE ones using the search feature. Hopefully, you'll find some letters from TPE, and draft replies people have written. If you can't see TPE ones, just look at a different operator to get the gist. GTR for example.

You can reply to the letter appologising, and asking for an out of court settlement. When it arrives, we can help you with what to write, and see other threads. The cost of settling will normally be the anytime single fare for the journey plus an admin fee; for other operators this can be around £150. I don't know how easy it is to settle with TPE or whether they like prosecuting.

There is not really any need or point in contacting them before the letter arrives. It's important that you check post and emails carefully because if you do not see the letter, they will prosecute you without your knowledge. Cooperating is the most important thing to do in order to secure a settlement.


I'm hoping another member will be able to confirm that this general advice applies to Trans Pennine Express.

Let us know if you have any further questions - someone (probably not me) will be able to answer them.

If you have heard nothing from TPE in 4-5 months, come back here and let us know. As the 6 month prosecution deadline approaches, there is potential benefit in contacting the railway to find out about your case.

EDIT: I've found a TPE thread from a little while back - slightly confusing to read, but may be of some use:

TRAVEL IRREGULARITY REPORT

GOT STOPPED on train

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[super9irl]

Thank you so much for your help , it all sounds reassuring and correct to my knowledge and research so far! I will hopefully keep you updated once the letter arrives, the man did say within 5 business days but you’re right, I have heard of people waiting months. I will try to not worry too much until I receive the letter and hopefully I can find more info from other users on TFE specifically.
Thank you again.

 

[duffield]

Just on this specific point:

I am worried about them taking it further due to the fact i was dishonest in the first place.

This should not make any difference to how TPE proceed. Many people are initially dishonest when stopped, all that matters is how you engage when they contact you.