How Best TFL Letter of Verification

[chaflyje]

I got a tfL letter of verification via post today. I took Elizabeth line from Slough to Reading last Wednesday. I bought my ticket via trainline and selected 16-17 saver railcard. I do not posses this railcard. unfortunately for me a ticket inspector did call to check tickets and flagged me. He collected my detail, asked if i was going onward from Reading, which I was.

While he was talking to me account travelling with a ticket bought with a railcard I don't own, I did ask him if i can pay the difference in fare or a fine there, to which he responded no.
I did have a 16 - 25 railcard on me which i showed him. he said the i have used up more discount than I was entitled to, which of cus is correct.

As a response I am thinking of crafting it like this just saw i avoid prosecution or anything lenghty proceeding. I am happy to pay whatever fine they bring at this point.
Hoping someone with experience can advice here?

Response

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing in response to your recent verification letter dated xxxx, regarding my travel with a ticket purchased with a railcard that I do not own.
Firstly, I would like to express my willingness to cooperate fully with your investigation. I understand the seriousness of the matter and am committed to resolving it in an amicable and efficient manner.

Upon careful consideration of the circumstances, I would like to propose an out-of-court settlement as a means of resolving this matter expediently and without the need for prolonged legal proceedings. I believe that reaching a mutually satisfactory resolution would be in the best interest of all parties involved.

To initiate discussions on a potential settlement, I am open to scheduling a meeting at your convenience to discuss the terms and conditions that would be agreeable. This could involve restitution for any discrepancies related to the railcard usage, as well as any reasonable administrative fees incurred during this process.

I value the opportunity to address this matter proactively and constructively. Please let me know if you are open to exploring an out-of-court settlement, and we can work towards finding a resolution that serves the interests of both parties.

I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your prompt response. If you require any additional information or documentation from my end, please do not hesitate to ask.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Sincerely,

 

[AlterEgo]

My first tip is not to use ChatGPT, which has generated that letter. It has all the stock phrases (some of which are inappropriate for the context), and has very passive lanaguge which does not indicate you understand the seriousness of the issue.

You need to remove the excess language and in the letter. They haven’t suggested a meeting (have they?) so don’t suggest one yourself. The legal proceedings relating to this issue are not “prolonged” - they are very brief and often resolved on paper in the magistrates’ court. Apologise only once or twice (you should apologise at the start of the letter for sure) and keep to the facts.

 

[chaflyje]

Thanks for pointing out the pitfalls already.

I guess what i really want to know is, should my letter be properly worded, do i stand a chance of them accepting and not proceeding with prosecution?

I will be checking out your content.

 

[alholmes]

That’s a very poor letter. You haven’t apologised, you haven’t even accepted that you were travelling with the wrong ticket/railcard.

Remember, it’s not for you to tell TfL what they should be doing. They won’t be interested in having a meeting with you. Your letter is your opportunity to plead that they consider offering an out-of-court settlement - this letter will only guarantee they move straight to prosecution.

 

[chaflyje]

That’s a very poor letter. You haven’t apologised, you haven’t even accepted that you were travelling with the wrong ticket/railcard.

Remember, it’s not for you to tell TfL what they should be doing. They won’t be interested in having a meeting with you. Your letter is your opportunity to plead that they consider offering an out-of-court settlement - this letter will only guarantee they move straight to prosecution.

Thanks..
I will attempt to write a better one and upload again.

 

[ikcdab]

As everybody else has said, ditch the chatGp. Just imagine you are in the same room as the recipient. Imagine what you would say to him face to face and just write that down. Make it natural.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

I'm going to take a slightly different line to the advice above.

It's good advice that you need to apologise, and you need to know that you are asking TfL to be kind to you, rather than you offering to sort it all out of court. So make sure you do that.

But don't be too worried about using ChatGPT to write your first draft. Then once you have the first draft, edit out the stuff that shouldn't be there. Change the language to something that's simpler. And think about whether it really says what you want.

ChatGPT is a tool to help you write what you want. Don't let it boss you about!

 

[fandroid]

The sad news is that TfL are known to rarely settle things out of court, and will just prosecute, especially as there was no evidence of a genuine mistake.

However, it's always worth asking, and if you really look as if you deeply regret what you did and will never do it again, then there's a chance that they might respond leniently.

 

[AlterEgo]

The sad news is that TfL are known to rarely settle things out of court, and will just prosecute, especially as there was no evidence of a genuine mistake.

This is the case for theft/misuse/sharing of of high value passes but I'm not sure we have seen too much in the way of lower level offences like this one on the forum. It isn't a foregone conclusion.

 

[Haywain]

This is the case for theft/misuse/sharing of of high value passes but I'm not sure we have seen too much in the way of lower level offences like this one on the forum. It isn't a foregone conclusion.

Can you point to any cases on the forum where TfL has settled out of court? I think the number of cases that haven't been prosecuted is so low that we can say court action is a foregone conclusion.

 

[AlterEgo]

Can you point to any cases on the forum where TfL has settled out of court? I think the number of cases that haven't been prosecuted is so low that we can say court action is a foregone conclusion.

I'm coming from the point of view that I can't recall any cases where TfL *have* prosecuted, because we don't see too many of these "lower level" cases at all - much less any follow up than I can recall. I do remember one expired railcard a year or two ago that was settled (maybe with the help of a solicitor?), but precious little else.

 

[WesternLancer]

Can you point to any cases on the forum where TfL has settled out of court? I think the number of cases that haven't been prosecuted is so low that we can say court action is a foregone conclusion.

I seem to recall a small clutch of them around last autumn maybe - led someone regular too comment that this may represent a change in TfL policy - can't find that thread at the mo but I distinctly recall it.

 

[30907]

I seem to recall a small clutch of them around last autumn maybe - led someone regular too comment that this may represent a change in TfL policy - can't find that thread at the mo but I distinctly recall it.

Without attempting a search, I can also recall that - though I also recall that at least one was dealt with by a formal warning (ie not with money).

 

[Elecman]

I seem to recall a small clutch of them around last autumn maybe - led someone regular too comment that this may represent a change in TfL policy - can't find that thread at the mo but I distinctly recall it.

You are correct and it was me that posted that comment

 

[WesternLancer]

You are correct and it was me that posted that comment

Thanks for that!

 

[Hadders]

TfL do not normally offer out of court settlements. We did get a report of one being offered last year, iirc (and I seem to recall it was only one). In limited circumstances thet do give a final warning.

Here's a link to TfL's Revenue Enforcement and Prosecutions Policy which is worth a read

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/revenue-enforcement-and-prosecutions-policy.pdf