Opening a fare evasion letter from TfL is one of those moments where your stomach drops. The wording is formal, the implications feel serious, and it’s rarely obvious what’s going to happen next.
The important thing to know straight away is this: a letter does not mean you’ve been charged, and it does not mean court is inevitable. In most cases, TfL is still deciding what to do.
What happens next depends on where you are in their process — and how you handle the situation from here.
What This Letter Usually Means
TfL sends these letters when a revenue inspector has reported an incident and the case has been passed to their enforcement team. At this stage, they are gathering information and assessing whether the matter can be resolved or whether it should progress further.
They will usually be looking at ticketing data, inspector notes, and your travel history. Just as importantly, they’ll be trying to decide whether what happened appears to be a mistake or something they consider deliberate.
This is why the first response matters more than most people realise.
You’re Not Being Asked to Confess
One of the biggest misconceptions is that you must explain yourself fully or apologise immediately. You don’t.
You are not legally required to admit wrongdoing, speculate about intent, or provide more information than necessary. A rushed or emotional reply can unintentionally make things worse, especially if it appears to accept deliberate fare evasion.
If you do respond, the tone should be calm, factual, and measured. Think clarity, not defensiveness.
Court Is Not the Default Outcome
For many first-time or low-level cases, TfL may be willing to resolve the matter without court. This often takes the form of an out-of-court settlement, where the unpaid fare and TfL’s costs are paid and the case is closed.
That said, settlements aren’t automatic. TfL has discretion, and how cooperative and sensible your response appears can influence whether that option stays on the table.
Why Ignoring the Letter Is a Bad Idea
Doing nothing is one of the fastest ways to escalate a situation unnecessarily.
If TfL doesn’t hear back, they may assume non-cooperation and move straight towards prosecution. That’s how people end up receiving court paperwork when the case might otherwise have been resolved much earlier.
Even if you believe the allegation is wrong, silence usually works against you.
If the Letter Mentions an Interview Under Caution
This is the point where things become more serious.
An interview under caution isn’t informal. It’s conducted under formal rules, recorded, and anything said can later be used as evidence. Many people underestimate this and attend without preparation, which can be a costly mistake.
At this stage, it’s sensible to pause and get advice before responding or attending anything in person.
When Getting Advice Early Makes Sense
You don’t need a solicitor for every fare evasion letter, but early advice can be especially helpful if the situation isn’t straightforward. That includes cases involving contactless errors, railcards, repeated travel history, or where your job depends on a clean record.
It’s almost always easier to steer a case early than to undo damage later.
What to Do Next
Take time to read the letter carefully and understand what TfL is actually asking for. Don’t panic, but don’t ignore it either. Most importantly, don’t rush a reply that you may later regret.
Handled properly, many TfL fare evasion cases never reach court.
