TransPennine Express gave out an unprecedented number of fines to those travelling without a valid ticket during 2021.
TransPennine Express (TPE) want to reiterate their message to customers to ‘buy before they board’ as the number of penalties given reached over 13,400 for people travelling either without a ticket or using an invalid one, the fines result in passengers paying either a higher fare or a fixed penalty.
A huge £570k was recovered by TPE via penalties due to fare evasion and led to 531 people being prosecuted in court, which resulted in substantial fines as well as a criminal record for those who were found guilty.
Darren Higgins, Commercial Director for TransPennine Express, said:
“Fare evasion is an all too real problem for the rail industry, and for our customers. Not only does it remove vital money from the industry – money which could be reinvested into making the network even better – it’s also incredibly frustrating for those who are honest and travel having paid for a valid ticket.”
TPE is dedicated to making rail travel fair for all with staff from their revenue protection team patrolling trains and stations each day in order to deal with continual fare evasion and if necessary, issuing on-the-spot fines.
Darren also went on to say:
“Anyone travelling by train should buy a ticket before they board, ideally using our website or app. Tickets can also be bought from our stations using either the ticket vending machines or our ticket offices. Those who refuse to buy a ticket before travelling from a station where facilities are available may be issued with a Penalty Fare and could face the prospect of a criminal record.”
Penalty Fares are employed throughout the country as a system of on-the-spot fines issued to people who do not have a valid ticket for their travel when there has been an opportunity to buy one.
Penalty Fares are either £20 or twice the amount of the full single fare applicable or whichever is larger.
To find out more about Penalty Fares please visit the TPE website: http://tpexpress.co.uk/help/revenue-protection-policy/penalty-fare
You may find that train companies are allowed to issue penalty fares. They are not allowed to issue fines.