Train ticket dodgers in North Wales will soon face huge fines

Fines for fare evasion are being introduced across the rail network in North and Mid Wales from next week. Transport for Wales (TFW) said fines will usually be £20 or twice the full fare, whichever is greater.

These fines may rise to £100 in the future and repeat offenders could be liable to penalties of up to £1,000. The move has angered regular rail users who complain of packed trains, poor services and out-of-order ticket machines.

Fare evasion costs the industry millions of pounds a year and TFW is clamping down in areas of Wales not already covered by its team of Revenue Protection Inspectors. Currently, only South Wales falls within the company's Penalty Fare Zone.

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From Monday, November 18, 2024, this zone will be expanded north. Routes covered will include those between Llandudno, Chester, Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth. TfW services to Liverpool and Manchester, and from Chester to Crewe will also fall in the expanded penalty zone.

On its website, TfW said: “We know that the vast majority of our customers pay their fares in full. It’s only a small minority who try to avoid paying their way. Penalty fares are aimed at deterring unfair behaviour. Revenue Protection Inspectors are regularly patrolling our network checking tickets. You must buy a valid ticket for your journey before getting on the train. If you don’t, you risk prosecution and fines of up to £1,000.

“It’s not only fair but it’s the law that everyone must have a valid ticket for their journey. As a not-for-profit organisation, Transport for Wales reinvests money from ticket revenues back into our network, helping to fund new trains and station improvements for our local communities.

“Sadly, not everyone plays by the rules. So to protect our ticket revenue, we employ Transport Investigations Ltd (TIL) to manage our revenue protection process by providing teams of Revenue Protection Inspectors (RPI). They conduct ticket checks at stations and on trains and will either be in uniform or in plain clothes with identification.” Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now

Penalty fares apply to passengers who either travel without a valid ticket or who don’t tap in their tickets where Pay As You Go is live. These amount to £20 or twice the full single fare applicable to the journey.

This penalty may increase to £100 in the future, said TfW. £100 fines are already levied by other train companies and by TfW on services between Shrewsbury and Birmingham International.

While passengers accept the need to prevent fraud, many are angered by TfW’s service provision. When the company announced on social media it was extending its penalty fare zone north, it caused uproar.

“Crammed in like sardines into a two-carriage service last Sunday, which is not an exception where TfW is concerned!” said just one example. “Dangerous, stressful and should be half price or free - never mind penalty fares and annual fare increases!”

However there was also support for fines. “Brilliant and about time,” said a Flint man. “It’s disgusting how decent people are paying and others feel they can simply get away with it. The book should be thrown at them with bans, public naming/shaming and very high fines. Same goes for the tramps who leave their rubbish all over the train.”

Being forced to stand is routine across the UK rail network and some people would like to see a pre-booking service that offers cheaper tickets for standing passengers. Another gripe is the lack of station staffing and the unavailability of ticket machines. TfW said conductors will be aware if there aren’t any ticket-buying facilities or machines aren’t working.

Penalty fares must be paid in full or appealed against within 21 days. Failure to do so may result in extra administration charges or even prosecution, with fines up to £1,000. Court action may be taken for repeat offences, giving false personal details and claiming a shorter journey than actually travelled.

People who default on outstanding charges may also face prosecution. “Transport for Wales will press for the recovery of all fares owed plus a contribution towards administrative costs,” said the company. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox

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