What is a Penalty Fare?
If a customer gets on a train without a ticket or Promise to Pay notice at a station where a ticket office or ticket machines are available, they may be liable to pay a penalty fare.
The penalty is the greater of £20 or twice the full single from the station where they got on the train to the next station at which the train stops. If the passenger wants to travel beyond the next station they must also pay the relevant fare from that station to their final destination. It is a requirement under Railway Bylaws to purchase a ticket before boarding a train service when ticket selling facilities are available.
Examples of when a Penalty Fare may be charged
A Penalty Fare may be charged if you...
- travel without a valid ticket
- are unable to produce an appropriate Railcard for a discounted ticket
- are aged 16 or over, travelling on a child rate ticket
- travel beyond the destination on your ticket
What is a Promise to Pay notice?
A Promise to Pay notice is a ticket that must be obtained from our ticket vending machines if customers do not have the facility to pay by credit/debit card. The Promise to Pay notice allows customers to board the train with the intention of exchanging the notice at the first opportunity with a revenue officer, or at the next available booking office.
Click here to access our frequently asked questions on Penalty Fares.