Great Western Railway Fare Evasion Solicitors

A fare evasion allegation from Great Western Railway can come with serious consequences. Though considered a relatively minor issue by some, the most serious cases can escalate quickly, resulting in significant financial penalties and the threat of criminal conviction.

This can be particularly relevant with cases on the Great Western network, where long-distance journeys and higher-value fares can increase the financial significance of alleged fare evasion.

As a team of fare evasion specialists, Manak Solicitors has the resources and expertise to help with your case, regardless of the circumstances. We combine tried and tested practices for fare evasion case management, while tailoring our approach to the rules and procedures of Great Western Railway, ensuring our clients are fully prepared for whatever comes next.

Great Western Railway operates an extensive network linking London Paddington with the Thames Valley, West of England, and South Wales, with destinations including Oxford, Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Cardiff, and Swansea. As such, long-distance journeys are common with this operator.

GWR requires passengers to have a valid ticket before boarding where ticket-buying facilities are available. If you’re caught travelling without a valid ticket, GWR may issue an Unpaid Fare Notice, a Penalty Fare Notice, or interview you under caution, depending on the circumstances.

A standard Penalty Fare is currently £100 plus the full price of a single ticket for your journey, with the Penalty Fare being reduced to £50 plus the single fare if paid within 21 days. Any appeals against the Penalty Fare Notice must also be submitted within 21 days.

One notable feature of GWR’s policy is that a Penalty Fare can relate only to the train you’re travelling on rather than necessarily the whole journey. Therefore, if you need to change trains after receiving a Penalty Fare, you will still need to purchase a valid ticket for the remainder of your journey.

Where a case is considered more serious, GWR may report the incident to its Prosecutions Department. If you have been interviewed under caution, the department will review the events alongside any mitigating circumstances and contact you in writing. 

If the case cannot be resolved at this stage, or you fail to respond, GWR may decide to take the matter to court. However, in some cases, the operator may offer to resolve the matter with an out-of-court settlement. If your case is being reviewed by GWR, then how you respond can be key to determining what happens next.

At Manak Solicitors, we can review the circumstances of your case and, where necessary, respond to the operator on your behalf. Where possible, we will work towards negotiating an out-of-court settlement with GWR. However, in cases where this isn’t a viable option, we’ll prepare a credible defence that gives you the best chance of a positive resolution in court.