Fare dodgers will continue to receive tough penalties,
but those with a genuine reason for not having a valid
ticket will now be able to challenge a penalty with an
independent committee, not connected to the rail
companies. Once an appeal is received, the clock will
stop on the 21 day deadline for the payment of a
penalty fare, until the outcome is resolved.
The process will also give greater consideration to
circumstances of how and why the penalty was issued, to
ensure people are not unfairly penalised.
Rail Minister said:
Rail users should make every effort to get the right
ticket for their journey, but if you make an honest
mistake, you should feel confident that the appeals
system will recognise this and treat you fairly.
We are simplifying the rules around penalty fares and
introducing an independent appeals process to help
those who make a genuine error when using the
railway.
The penalty fares guidance was last updated in 2002 and
the new regulations will make the appeals system more
consistent and clearer across rail companies. This
includes reducing the existing 3 documents of guidance
on penalty fares down to one simple document.
Jac Starr, Managing Director of Customer Experience at
the Rail Delivery Group, said:
Customers sometimes make genuine mistakes and the
changes to the penalty fares system, which is meant
to deter fare dodgers, will help those who feel they
have been mistreated and ensure there is enough time
to deal with their appeal.
Fare dodgers deprive the railway of about £200
million every year, money which would otherwise be
invested to improving Britain’s railway for
customers, communities and the economy.
A penalty fare can be issued where an individual
travels without a valid ticket, or is unable to produce
a railcard on a discounted ticket, stays on the train
beyond the destination they have paid for or travels in
the wrong class.
Passengers receive a charge of either £20 or twice the
full single fare from the station where they got on the
train to the next station at which the train stops.
The Rail Delivery Group is today publishing
new best practice
guidance on the new penalty fare regime
For information about the penalty appeal services,
visit the penalty
servicesand appeal
services websites.
