I've waited until I made payment to TIL before sharing how much I had to pay, just in case there was a problem, and as I have just made payment I can confirm my Administrative Fee was £70 + original train fare

Just to give you all an update, the 'dreaded' letter has arrived, the first communication since the RPI. The letter mentions how they have enough evidence for prosecution, but instead of asking for further information they are offering administrative settlement, which is relatively low, given some of the amounts people has said they have paid. I will be making a payment in due course.

They are probably looking for a pattern of travel. If the card is shown to have been used to travel the same route consistently, they may claim that you have used the card more than once.

Thank you for your replies so far. It is my first (and only) time, I honestly didn't know that it was an offence, i.e. I assumed it was ok to just buy from the conductor I wasn't rude to the RPI and gave him my driving licence, so he could take the details down, so no false information given. Reading the Arriva Trains Wales Revenue Enforcement Policy, it indicates that Administrative Settlement is the most likely outcome in this instance, hence why I was asking about amount. Of the posts I have read on various forums, where people are being taken to prosecution, I get the impression that they have been offered this but have refused it, only to take it just before they are due to appear. My main concern is with future CRB's etc, although if it is the byelaw with no intent required, apparently it's not a crime of dishonesty. I guess I just have to wait for the first round of letters

Hi All, I travelled last night from Cardiff Central to Newport. Due to being short on time and the barriers being open, I opted to just buy the ticket from the conductor on the train, which had been on the train 24 hours earlier when I had bought the ticket from the machine (Cardiff Bay to Newport, ticket checked twice). No conductor came down, so upon arrival at Newport I went up to the guys at the barriers, which were open, and before they said anything to me I said 'I need to buy a ticket, as the conductor didn't come down the train' whilst I was getting the money out of my wallet. It turned out these were people were Revenue Protection Inspectors (I may have the title wrong) and he said he could not take my money and instead asked me what had happened, he then gave me a caution and took the statement that I'm sure the regulars on here are aware of. At the end I again asked if I could pay for the ticket regardless of whatever the out come would be from the statement, he said no and that if it was my first time it could be the case that nothing happens and I don't have to pay. Now before speaking to him and reading some of the posts on here, I did not realise you had to buy your ticket before boarding and if you didn't an offence had occurred. I'm also aware that ignorance is no defence. I am just wondering about the administrative settlement charge, as I don't expect for one minute that Arriva will just say I don't have to pay anything, despite what the guy said. I've seen some differing amounts on here for posts that are a few years old, so I was wondering if any of you guys could give me a better idea of what to currently expect. Ramble over