Hello everyone,
In January I was stopped at the gates of my destination and had my ticket inspected. I use the Southern Key Smartcard (with a KeyGo account on to use as a pay-as-you-go), however on the day in question the barriers at my starting station were not working for tap in (a common occurrence at my local Station). I spoke to the guard at the gates who waved us all through and said to purchase a ticket on the train or tap out at the other end. Upon arrival at Farringdon, I saw that there were extra rail staff performing checks on tickets being made so in my rush/panic I forgot that I could tap out (as the journey is automatically completed online when there are issues with the tap in/out as this is a common route I take 3x a week). I regrettably purchased a short ticket from City Thameslink to Farringdon and was caught out by the guards. I tried to explain that I have the Key Smartcard/KeyGo account and there were barrier issues at my starting station, but as I purchased a Short Ticket, they took my details, and I have now received a Notice of Intention to Prosecute. On other similar occasions I have been able to simply tap in/out and my Key Go account has auto filled with the correct stations & charge, however I have looked back at my history and can possibly see 1 other occurrence of a Short Ticket being purchased, 2months before this case (so 2 times in total, caught on the 2nd). Since this moment, I have ensured that if the barriers are not working at my initial station, that I purchase a ticket online rather than to risk being viewed as boarding the train without a valid ticket, even though I have the pay-as-you-go smartcard.
Given I cannot afford to have a criminal record in my profession, I am looking to settle out of court and pay any fees needed to achieve this. Looking at other posts on this forum, it seems the best course of action is to simply write a letter in response to this and take full responsibility (what I have learned etc), apologise, and ask to settle without court action, however if this first response does not work then I will look at solicitors. Any advice would be appreciated, draft letter as follows and looking to post this tomorrow.
“Dear Fare Evasion Manager,
I am writing to apologise and take accountability for the incident that occurred on 30th January 2025 when I was travelling between my local Station Station to Farringdon without a valid ticket (ref xxxxxx). On the day in question, there were barrier issues at my local Station Station, meaning that I could not tap in with my KeySmart Card/KeyGo account, and upon speaking to the guard at the gate, they waved us all through and advised to purchase a ticket on the train or tap out at the other end (as the journey would autocomplete on the KeyGo account as this is a common journey I take). Upon arrival at Farringdon and seeing the extra Revenue Officers, I regrettably panicked and purchased a short ticket from City Thameslink to Farringdon and was pulled aside by one of the officers.
I am extremely sorry for this situation and fully understand the impact of actions such as mine on GTR and the wider rail industry. After this incident, I have made sure that I have always had a valid ticket before boarding the train to ensure that I never make this mistake again – and on other occasions where there have been tap in/out issues with the gates at my local Station, I have purchased a valid ticket for the journey, rather than relying on the Smartcard. I take full responsibility for this mistake and assure you that I have and will continue to hold a valid ticket before boarding the train in the future.
I would be extremely grateful if you would consider allowing me to settle this matter out of court. I am fully willing to pay the cost of the fare as well as any associated administrative costs that you have been burdened with due to this incident.
Thank you for your time and the opportunity you have provided to respond. Please feel free to contact me via my email if this is easier for you at xxxxxxx , otherwise please continue to contact via post.
Yours Faithfully,”
In January I was stopped at the gates of my destination and had my ticket inspected. I use the Southern Key Smartcard (with a KeyGo account on to use as a pay-as-you-go), however on the day in question the barriers at my starting station were not working for tap in (a common occurrence at my local Station). I spoke to the guard at the gates who waved us all through and said to purchase a ticket on the train or tap out at the other end. Upon arrival at Farringdon, I saw that there were extra rail staff performing checks on tickets being made so in my rush/panic I forgot that I could tap out (as the journey is automatically completed online when there are issues with the tap in/out as this is a common route I take 3x a week). I regrettably purchased a short ticket from City Thameslink to Farringdon and was caught out by the guards. I tried to explain that I have the Key Smartcard/KeyGo account and there were barrier issues at my starting station, but as I purchased a Short Ticket, they took my details, and I have now received a Notice of Intention to Prosecute. On other similar occasions I have been able to simply tap in/out and my Key Go account has auto filled with the correct stations & charge, however I have looked back at my history and can possibly see 1 other occurrence of a Short Ticket being purchased, 2months before this case (so 2 times in total, caught on the 2nd). Since this moment, I have ensured that if the barriers are not working at my initial station, that I purchase a ticket online rather than to risk being viewed as boarding the train without a valid ticket, even though I have the pay-as-you-go smartcard.
Given I cannot afford to have a criminal record in my profession, I am looking to settle out of court and pay any fees needed to achieve this. Looking at other posts on this forum, it seems the best course of action is to simply write a letter in response to this and take full responsibility (what I have learned etc), apologise, and ask to settle without court action, however if this first response does not work then I will look at solicitors. Any advice would be appreciated, draft letter as follows and looking to post this tomorrow.
“Dear Fare Evasion Manager,
I am writing to apologise and take accountability for the incident that occurred on 30th January 2025 when I was travelling between my local Station Station to Farringdon without a valid ticket (ref xxxxxx). On the day in question, there were barrier issues at my local Station Station, meaning that I could not tap in with my KeySmart Card/KeyGo account, and upon speaking to the guard at the gate, they waved us all through and advised to purchase a ticket on the train or tap out at the other end (as the journey would autocomplete on the KeyGo account as this is a common journey I take). Upon arrival at Farringdon and seeing the extra Revenue Officers, I regrettably panicked and purchased a short ticket from City Thameslink to Farringdon and was pulled aside by one of the officers.
I am extremely sorry for this situation and fully understand the impact of actions such as mine on GTR and the wider rail industry. After this incident, I have made sure that I have always had a valid ticket before boarding the train to ensure that I never make this mistake again – and on other occasions where there have been tap in/out issues with the gates at my local Station, I have purchased a valid ticket for the journey, rather than relying on the Smartcard. I take full responsibility for this mistake and assure you that I have and will continue to hold a valid ticket before boarding the train in the future.
I would be extremely grateful if you would consider allowing me to settle this matter out of court. I am fully willing to pay the cost of the fare as well as any associated administrative costs that you have been burdened with due to this incident.
Thank you for your time and the opportunity you have provided to respond. Please feel free to contact me via my email if this is easier for you at xxxxxxx , otherwise please continue to contact via post.
Yours Faithfully,”
Attachments
Last edited:
