Best course of action: Used railcard discount without railcard

[uthmang2003]

Hello, I had a swift card which allowed me to travel to university during the semester, however it ended a week early for some reason. I then used a railcard without owning one when i went to university and received a letter to explain my situation. What is the best course of action, and what should I write in my letter?

 

[Hadders]

Welcome to the forum!

Can you tell us a bit more about your case. When you were stopped were you trying to use the Swift card which held an expired ticket? Did you purchase another ticket using a railcard to obtain a discount but you didn't actually possess a railcard?

Which train company are you dealing with? I'm guessing West Midlands Trains.

My normal advice is to write a short, concise letter mentioning the following points:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the train company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter

If you can answe my questios above, post a redacted copy of the letter you've been sent along with your draft reply forum members will be happy to proof read it for you.

 

[uthmang2003]

Welcome to the forum!

Can you tell us a bit more about your case. When you were stopped were you trying to use the Swift card which held an expired ticket? Did you purchase another ticket using a railcard to obtain a discount but you didn't actually possess a railcard?

Which train company are you dealing with? I'm guessing West Midlands Trains.

My normal advice is to write a short, concise letter mentioning the following points:

- That you are sorry for what has happened
- What you have learned from the incident
- That you are keen to settle the matter without the need for court action
- Offer to pay the outstanding fare and the train company's administrative costs in dealing with the matter

If you can answe my questios above, post a redacted copy of the letter you've been sent along with your draft reply forum members will be happy to proof read it for you.

I was stopped just before coventry train station, I wasnt trying to use to swift card but a ticket I bought using a railcard, which i didnt own. The train ccompany is Avanti West Coast.

Here is my draft if you would kindly read:

Good Afternoon, when I took the train that day I purchased a ticket using a railcard. Before I had a swiftcard which allowed me to go to university, however for some reaosn it expired a week before the end of the semster. I do not own a railcard, and I am sorry for using a railcard without owning one. I have learnt to now buy a railcard if I want to receive discounts. I am keen to settle the matter without the need for courta action. I am willing to pay the outstanding fare and the trains admin costs in dealing with the matter.
Thank you (Name redacted by forum team)

 

[Hadders]

I was stopped just before coventry train station, I wasnt trying to use to swift card but a ticket I bought using a railcard, which i didnt own. The train ccompany is Avanti West Coast.

Here is my draft if you would kindly read:

Good Afternoon, when I took the train that day I purchased a ticket using a railcard. Before I had a swiftcard which allowed me to go to university, however for some reaosn it expired a week before the end of the semster. I do not own a railcard, and I am sorry for using a railcard without owning one. I have learnt to now buy a railcard if I want to receive discounts. I am keen to settle the matter without the need for courta action. I am willing to pay the outstanding fare and the trains admin costs in dealing with the matter.
Thank you (Name redacted by forum team)

I wouldn't mention the Swift card, it's not relevent to your case. The case simply that you applied a railcard discount you weren't entitled to.

 

[uthmang2003]

I wouldn't mention the Swift card, it's not relevent to your case. The case simply that you applied a railcard discount you weren't entitled to.

ok thanks

 

[Ducky88]

I was stopped just before coventry train station, I wasnt trying to use to swift card but a ticket I bought using a railcard, which i didnt own. The train ccompany is Avanti West Coast.

Here is my draft if you would kindly read:

Good Afternoon, when I took the train that day I purchased a ticket using a railcard. Before I had a swiftcard which allowed me to go to university, however for some reaosn it expired a week before the end of the semster. I do not own a railcard, and I am sorry for using a railcard without owning one. I have learnt to now buy a railcard if I want to receive discounts. I am keen to settle the matter without the need for courta action. I am willing to pay the outstanding fare and the trains admin costs in dealing with the matter.
Thank you (Name redacted by forum team)

There are several typos. Edited below:

Good Afternoon, when I took the train that day I purchased a ticket using a railcard. Before I had a swiftcard that allowed me to go to university, however for some reason it expired a week before the end of the semester. I do not own a railcard, and I am sorry for using a railcard without owning one. I have learned to buy a railcard now to receive discounts. I am keen to settle the matter without the need for court action. I am willing to pay the outstanding fare and any admin costs in dealing with the matter.
Thank you (Name redacted by forum team)

Also edited it to read a little better. The length or style might not matter but the spelling does!

 

[notmyrealname]

I think some paragraphs would help.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I purchased a ticket using a railcard.

Isn't what happened that the OP has purchased/used a railcard-discounted ticket, without, at the time of travel, them actually holding any accompanying, in date, valid railcard?

Which means that there wasn't a railcard that could be used.

So, why say or suggest that there was?

Before I had a swiftcard which allowed me to go to university, however for some reaosn it expired a week before the end of the semster.

The sentence about the Swiftcard having expired seems not to be particularly relevant to the matter, as @Hadders has already mentioned, and should perhaps be omitted.