Caught by GWR ticket officer

[rv123]

Hi All,
Please can anyone help me
I was recently stopped by a GWR inspector at Slough and interviewed under caution for using a ticket purchased with a 16–17 Railcard, even though I only hold a valid 26–30 Railcard. During the interview, I explained that this was a genuine mistake and not an attempt to avoid paying the correct fare. The inspector did not check my Trainline app or previous travel history. I was fully cooperative and apologetic, and he told me I would likely receive a letter and, if I pay the fine, the matter would be resolved. However, I am extremely anxious about what comes next—whether I will receive a penalty fare, a request to explain myself, or be taken directly to court. I have recently graduated, and the thought of a criminal record ruining my career is seriously affecting me. This incident has taught me a hard lesson: it is absolutely not worth risking your future over a mistake like this. I am truly sorry, and I can confidently say this will never happen again. I’m willing to pay any outstanding fare and administrative fees and sincerely hope GWR will allow me to settle this matter out of court.

 

[minderbinder]

You won’t receive a penalty fare. These can only be issued at the time.

It’s worth mentioning that the 16-17 Railcard offers a very generous discount of 50% on all standard fares and, as such, is frequently abused by fare-dodgers. It may well be that you made an honest mistake but such a claim is likely to be viewed with some scepticism by the investigator dealing with your case.

You will likely receive a letter asking for your explanation. When you receive that letter you should post it on this thread and forum members will advise you.

In the meantime, you might want to reflect on your account. For example I would struggle to reconcile your claim that “this was a genuine mistake and not an attempt to avoid paying the correct fare” with your assurance that you “can confidently say this will never happen again” (how can you confidently say that you will never make another genuine mistake?)

It’s very likely that GWR will check through your Trainline history for other tickets purchased with a 16-17 Saver discount so you may want to check your account, for your own peace of mind, to see if you have made this mistake repeatedly over a period of time.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi All,
Please can anyone help me
I was recently stopped by a GWR inspector at Slough and interviewed under caution for using a ticket purchased with a 16–17 Railcard, even though I only hold a valid 26–30 Railcard. During the interview, I explained that this was a genuine mistake and not an attempt to avoid paying the correct fare. The inspector did not check my Trainline app or previous travel history. I was fully cooperative and apologetic, and he told me I would likely receive a letter and, if I pay the fine, the matter would be resolved. However, I am extremely anxious about what comes next—whether I will receive a penalty fare, a request to explain myself, or be taken directly to court. I have recently graduated, and the thought of a criminal record ruining my career is seriously affecting me. This incident has taught me a hard lesson: it is absolutely not worth risking your future over a mistake like this. I am truly sorry, and I can confidently say this will never happen again. I’m willing to pay any outstanding fare and administrative fees and sincerely hope GWR will allow me to settle this matter out of court.

You will get a request to explain yourself.

Penalty Fares are never issued after the event and it’s not usual practice to take matters straight to court.

Have a read of the GWR revenue protection policy on their website. The pdf version.

 

[Hadders]

Welwome to the forum!

GWR normally settle these sorts of cases out of court as long as you co-operate with them and haven't come to their attention before.

They will write to you in the next few weeks saying they are considering prosecuting but asking for your version of events before they decide how to proceed. When this letter comes post a redacted copy of it in this thread, along with your draft reply and forum members will proof read it for you.

If you are offered a settlelemt expect to have to pay the cost of the fares avoided at the full Anytie rate, with no credit for the invalid tickets you did purchase. In addition they will want you to pay an admin fee, typically £150. Be aware that GWR will likely audit your online ticket purchasing account and if this reveals you have done this before they will want to factor the cost of these journeys into the settlement amount.

 

[rv123]

If they don’t have my email can they still access my Trainline account?

 

[Snow1964]

If they don’t have my email can they still access my Trainline account?

If they took photo of the ticket then yes.

Those long reference numbers will allow it to link to your account

 

[rv123]

if they access my Trainline account I’m in trouble because I bought 20 time with wrong railcard which is 170 £ less than current fair what applies to me . Is it possible they will ask me to explain first and I can ask them if they can settle out of court ?
Or they will directly ask me to come to court.
This is first time I have been reported
But I stopped now and buying correct fair but still buying from Trainline shall I stop using Trainline?

 

[drueberflug]

if they access my Trainline account I’m in trouble because I bought 20 time with wrong railcard which is 170 £ less than current fair what applies to me . Is it possible they will ask me to explain first and I can ask them if they can settle out of court ?
Or they will directly ask me to come to court.
This is first time I have been reported
But I stopped now and buying correct fair but still buying from Trainline shall I stop using Trainline?

I cannot say anything about GWR as I haven't had any experience with travelling without a valid ticket with them, but I could imagine that they will pursue a Single Justice Procedure at a Magistrate's court.

But if I were you, I'd not just stop wrongly using the railcard alltogether, but also switch away from the Trainline due to their booking fees (if you are using the app legitimately, it should not be a problem).
If you want to keep a similar app interface, EMR's and Northern's apps are all Trainline-based and charge no commission.
An alternative would be to use our ticket shop is very much an option to you as you get to support this forum financially and can in some cases even save money with split-ticketing. Most tickets bought there can also be added to Apple and Google Wallet.

 

[Titfield]

Train Operating Companies do not go directly to court. They will write to you to ask for an explanation.

Based on your response they will then decide whether to make an out of court settlement offer or issue court proceedings.

If you follow the advice @Hadders gives then there is a good chance they will be minded to make an offer of an out of court settlement.

Hadders advice is to state:

- 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

Once the letter has been received please compose a draft and post here (with any identifying details obscured) so forum members can evaluate it.

They may take some convincing due to the number of fare evasions. Do not claim it was a mistake (as clearly it wasnt). You do not have to explain yourself as the reason for fare evading is self evident.

 

[rv123]

Train Operating Companies do not go directly to court. They will write to you to ask for an explanation.

Based on your response they will then decide whether to make an out of court settlement offer or issue court proceedings.

If you follow the advice @Hadders gives then there is a good chance they will be minded to make an offer of an out of court settlement.

Hadders advice is to state:

- 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

Once the letter has been received please compose a draft and post here (with any identifying details obscured) so forum members can evaluate it.

They may take some convincing due to the number of fare evasions. Do not claim it was a mistake (as clearly it wasnt). You do not have to explain yourself as the reason for fare evading is self evident.

Thank you for explaining once I receive the letter I will post it and write a draft and share please let me know if that will be good

 

[Hadders]

GWR will usually offer an out of court settlement for this sort of thing as long as you co-operate with them.

When their letter arrives post a redacted copy on this thread along with your draft reply and we can assist with proof reading.