Thank you all for your assistance with the matter, I have now sent the response and I shall provide an update once I receive any further communication from Thameslink.

understood thank you

Good morning Can I please check, does the 14-day deadline to respond includes weekends? their letter was dated 11/10 so my deadline could either be 25/10 or 02/11 Thank you

Many thanks all for the valuable advice

Hi I have made some changes and cut the letter down to 352 words, appreciate your honest feedback Many thanks ------- Dear Govia thameslink Team, Thank you for giving me the opportunity to explain my actions relating to the incident that took place on August 16. I would like to sincerely apologise to Govia Thameslink and all members of staff for the time and administration costs my actions have caused. On the day, I boarded the train under the belief I had the correct ticket for my Journey, but to my shock, I only realised I had the wrong ticket when the Inspector checked it. My actions are inexcusable and I am extremely regretful for my mistake. Reflecting back on my actions, I feel ashamed, extremely stressed, anxious, and unable to sleep at night. I’m the sole breadwinner and recently lost my job, my kids and a disabled brother depend on me financially, therefore, if this matter were to escalate further to court, a criminal conviction will certainly compromise my search for employment, impact my future, will be devastating to my family, myself and will further complicate my mental health. I have always been on the right side of the law and never had any kind of trouble, I guarantee that this will not happen again as I have learned a big lesson; since the event I make sure to check that my ticket cover the whole of my journey prior to boarding a train; I have also purchased a rail card which I plan to use every time I buy a train a ticket. Whilst my words above do not serve as an excuse, I take full responsibility for my carelessness and fully understand now the impact Fair evasion has on Train companies and how unacceptable it is. Furthemore, I am keen to resolve this matter as quickly and smoothly as possible without the need for court action if possible, if you would allow me to pay the outstanding fare and any administrative costs incurred by Govia Thameslink in dealing with this matter. Once again, I would like to express my holehearted apologies for the inconvenience caused to the staff and assure that it will not happen again. Many thanks for your understanding

Hi fkofilee it was on the "TRAIN" app

Hi Grotesque, I used a digital ticket

Thanks HB, I will give it a go In terms of the deadline to respond, am I right to assume it is 14 business days?

Thank I have purchased the rail card now. In terms f the response i gather i need to reduce it further but not sure what to take out / add at this stage

Sorry for the inconvenience, I did not know the difference between a rail card and season ticket, I will look into it and get one thanks

@honeybee13 no I did not purchase a season ticket as I used to work from home and only use this route when traveling out of Luton which is once or twice a year if anything

Many thanks @honeybee13& @Grotesque for the advice I have made some changes, see the draft below I feel that I need to mention my job loss and the impact it's having on my family, but can remove it if you think it's waffles... Thank you again Dear Govia thameslink Team, Thank you for giving me the opportunity to explain my actions relating to the incident that took place on August 16. I would like to sincerely apologise to Govia Thameslink and all members of staff for the time and administration costs my actions have caused. I understand now the large scale of revenue losses that Train companies face as a result of fare evasion and how unacceptable it is. On the day, I boarded the train under the belief I had the correct ticket for my Journey, but to my shock, I only realised I had the wrong ticket when the Inspector checked it. My actions are inexcusable and I am extremely regretful for my mistake. Reflecting back on my actions, I feel ashamed, extremely stressed and anxious, and unable to sleep at night. I’m the sole breadwinner and recently lost my job, my kids and a disabled brother depend on me financially, therefore, if this matter were to escalate further to court, a criminal conviction would certainly compromise my search for employment, impact my future, will be devastating to my family and myself and will further complicate my mental health. I have always been on the right side of the law and never had any kind of trouble, I guarantee that this will not happen again as I have learnt a big lesson and so I vow that I will not do this again and ensure I check my ticket cover the whole of my journey prior to boarding a train. Whilst my words above do not serve as an excuse, I take full responsibility for my actions and I truly hope that it's possible to understand how a criminal prosecution would be detrimental to my family and myself. Furthermore, I am keen to resolve this matter as quickly and smoothly as possible without the need for court action if possible; I beg if you would allow me to pay the outstanding fare and any administrative costs incurred by Govia Thameslink in dealing with this matter. Once again, I would like to express my wholehearted apologies for the inconvenience caused to the staff and assure that it will not happen again. I hope/pray that you will consider my request to settle this matter out of court and avoid any further escalation. Many thanks for your understanding

Thanks @honeybee13 will make the changes mentioned. I should have checked it 100% but didn't, my station is barrierless so that did not help either but still, it was on me to ensure I had the correct ticket

Hi HB, Grotesque and All Good morning See below the 1st draft for my response... Dear Govia Thameslink Team, Firstly, I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to explain my actions relating to the incident that took place on August 16. I wold like to sincerely apologise to Govia Thameslink and all the members of staff concerned for the time and administration costs my actions have caused. I understand now the large scale of revenue losses that Train companies face as a result of fare evasion and how unacceptable it is. On the day i boarded the train under the belief i have the correct ticket for my Journey, but to my shock, I only realised I had the wrong ticket when Inspector checked it. Prior to booking my ticket, i was evaluin the option of making a stop in Harpenden in order to collect a Pair f headphones i intended to buy from Facebook Market place, but changed my mind as this will not have left me much time to make my flight. I made a mistake of booking the train tickets late at night while intoxicated and did not pay attention that i selected the incorrect station in the app. My actions are Inexcusable and I am extremely regretful for my mistake. Reflecting back on my actions, I feel ashamed, extremely stressed and anxious, and unable to sleep at night. Whilst this is no excuse, since the lockdown my life has changed for the worst, I came out of it with a drinking habit that slowly ruined my life, and losing my job the start of August made things worse, especially at times of spiralling costs of living and Interest rate, I now face a serious risk of losing my home if I don't turn my life around. As the sole breadwinner, my kids and disabled brother depend on me financially, therefore, if this matter were to escalate further to court, it would certainly compromise my employment which requires a high level of Integrity. A criminal conviction will definitely impact my future in my career and will be devastating to my family and myself and will further complicate my mental health. I have always been on the right side of the law and never had any kind of trouble, and I guarantee that this will not happen again as I have learned a big lesson and so I vow that I will not do this again and ensure i check my tickets prior to boarding the trains to ensure my ticket covers the whole of my journey. Whilst my words above do not serve as an excuse, I take full responsibility for my actions and I truly hope that it’s possible to understand how a criminal prosecution would be detrimental to my family and myself. Furthermore, I am keen to resolve this matter as quickly and smoothly as possible without the need for court action if possible; I am willing to pay the outstanding fare and any administrative costs incurred by Govia Thameslink in dealing with this matter. Once again, I would like to express my wholehearted apologies for the inconvenience caused to the staff and assure them that it will not happen again. I hope/pray that you will consider my request to settle this matter out of court and avoid any further escalation. Many thanks for your understanding Kindest Regards Appreciate your feedback and thanks again

Many thanks @honeybee13and @Grotesquei will post a draft of the response asap very sorry about all this and thank you again