Traveling without a railcard

[toblo22]

I was caught without a 16-25 railcard commuting from Stevenage to London King's Cross. I understand what I was doing was wrong but did not understand the severity of it! It was a terrible error of judgement on my part and I cannot justify my actions. Please understand that this is out of character for me, and I'm asking for advice on what I should do. I had recently lost my railcard before it expired and I didn't have a picture of it on my phone, I had looked everywhere for it. instead of buying a new railcard immediately as I should have. I thought to continue buying the 16-25 ticket (my awful reasoning being that it was still valid and I had already paid for it). it only when the officer told me and when I looked online I realised the severity of my actions. The officer told me to contact rail company within 14 days with a valid railcard and that the rail company will send a letter to prosecute. Since I did not have the railcard I searched my entire house and managed to find the original receipt for when I bought the ticket and it was only then that I realised that the railcard had expired a week ago! I had thought that it was valid till June-July and I was planning to buy a new one soon I am absolutely shocked and I hate myself for this dumb decision. I don't mind paying any fines as I understand what I did was wrong but I don't want a criminal record on my name as fear it'll ruin my future!!

I don't know what to do or who to talk to please can someone advice.

 

[Haywain]

Others may give different advice but my view is that rather than wait for a letter you should write and explain the situation. Include in the letter an expression of remorse and apology, and offer to pay the outstanding fare and any costs they have incurred in order to bring the matter to a close. There’s a fair chance this will prevent the matter going to court.

 

[some bloke]

my view is that rather than wait for a letter you should write and explain the situation. Include in the letter an expression of remorse and apology, and offer to pay the outstanding fare...

Agreed that it's better to write first. How many days do you have left of the 14?

There might be a question of offering to pay the outstanding fares, plural.

The way you have written the story seems to me a very good starting point for that part of the letter.

 

[toblo22]

Agreed that it's better to write first. How many days do you have left of the 14?

There might be a question of offering to pay the outstanding fares, plural.

The way you have written the story seems to me a very good starting point for that part of the letter.

I still have 12 days left. One question is what best way to contact them the slip the officer gave had an address and an email address ? should I email and attach the letter and a copy of the reciept or should I send a letter. Sorry I have no experience in this area, so I don't know if one way is preferred over the other.

 

[swt_passenger]

Don’t forget a new railcard won’t be “back dated” to fill the gap and solve your problem. When the inspector suggested sending in a “valid railcard” within 14 days I reckon he would have been covering the possibility that you subsequently found your old one and it had not yet expired, but a new one on its own doesn’t make much difference as far as I can see...

 

[Hadders]

I would send an old fashioned letter rather than an email.

 

[toblo22]

Don’t forget a new railcard won’t be “back dated” to fill the gap and solve your problem. When the inspector suggested sending in a “valid railcard” within 14 days I reckon he would have been covering the possibility that you subsequently found your old one and it had not yet expired, but a new one on its own doesn’t make much difference as far as I can see...

I initially thought I could send the receipt for the old one, but I wasn't aware that it had already expired. Should I still send a copy of it? would it help me?

 

[Fawkes Cat]

I initially thought I could send the receipt for the old one, but I wasn't aware that it had already expired. Should I still send a copy of it? would it help me?

It won't really help, so there's not much point in sending the receipt. To expand a bit, even though you did have a Railcard, it had expired, so it doesn't get you out of the problem.

I think the advice that has been given about getting on touch is good, but I would also comment on your worries about getting a criminal record: this is a slightly adapted version of what I have just posted on another thread:

If the railway take you to court, conviction may result in a criminal record. There's some debate on this forum as to whether being convicted for a byelaw offence leads to a criminal record, but please don't over-estimate the seriousness of this. A few professions see any conviction as an absolute bar to employment, but most organisations understand that from time to time people make mistakes - and see a single railway offence in that light. What they may well object to are attempts to cover up the original offence, in that taken with the original offence that looks like a pattern of bad behaviour. So although it will be embarrassing, you need to be prepared to be open about what happened if you are convicted.

 

[Hadders]

The danger here is that you could inadvertently drop yourself in it further by admitting to travelling regularly without a railcard which would be far more serious.

I'd confine your letter to the single incident, apologise, say that you have been unable to find your railcard and that you wish to try and conclude the matter by paying the outstanding fare and the rail company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter. Hopefully they will then off you an administrative settlement.

 

[toblo22]

The danger here is that you could inadvertently drop yourself in it further by admitting to travelling regularly without a railcard which would be far more serious.

I'd confine your letter to the single incident, apologise, say that you have been unable to find your railcard and that you wish to try and conclude the matter by paying the outstanding fare and the rail company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter. Hopefully they will then off you an administrative settlement.

Hi Hadders I'm really worried about this as well...and I am stressing out because of this. I am willing to pay any fines/cost what I am worried about is getting a criminal record against me. and I don't know what to do anymore. I have a draft where I am explaining my reasons, but fear that the rail company will not take it into account. I am not sure what to do anymore.

 

[some bloke]

I have concerns about the suggestion that @toblo22 give the impression this has only happened once.

I found his account genuine and to be describing a couple of mistakes. This is not a usual case of deliberate fare evasion.

@toblo22 , my advice would be to find a solicitor who can put your case effectively.

 

[Hadders]

I would write

I have concerns about the suggestion that @toblo22 give the impression this has only happened once.

I found his account genuine and to be describing a couple of mistakes. This is not a usual case of deliberate fare evasion.

@toblo22 , my advice would be to find a solicitor who can put your case effectively.

I don't disbelieve @toblo22 but my concern is that if he tells then that his railcard expired a week ago they might come to the conclusion that he's been using railcard discounted tickets without a railcard on more than one occasion.

 

[cuccir]

@toblo22 , my advice would be to find a solicitor who can put your case effectively.

This is a little premature; wait to see what letter you receive from the train company. Unless you have a lot of money, or a lot to lose (eg you're planning to go into a career that has very strict rules about criminal records such as law), a solicitor is probably too expensive to be worth it if this is proseucted under the railway byelaws.

The key here is not to lie in any response, but not to share anything that would open you up to a harsher prosecution. Your story reads well but I would not add include anything that suggests you've purchased other tickets. You're not being asked about other incidents; you're being asked about this one.

if he tells then that his railcard expired a week ago they might come to the conclusion that he's been using railcard discounted tickets without a railcard on more than one occasion.

A week is not that long a time; I don't think they'd particularly expect multiple offences unless given a reason to.

I have concerns about the suggestion that @toblo22 give the impression this has only happened once.

Don't ask, don't tell. They will write to ask you your account of this incident. Provide that and nothing more.