Southeastern is reminding its customers of the substantial increase in penalty fares coming this Monday (23rd of January)which will rise from £20 to £100. The increase has been put in place by the Department for Transport right across the rail network and comes following a consultation process in a bid to curb fare evasion and to encourage customers to buy their tickets ahead of getting boarding their train.

Alicia Andrews, Commercial Director for Southeastern, said: “It’s easier than ever to buy a ticket to travel, on the Southeastern app.

“The vast majority of our customers do the right thing and pay for their journey before boarding, and we’re grateful to everyone who thinks ahead and pays for their journey before boarding.

“We have a responsibility to reduce the costs of the railway and bear down on ticketless travel, and so with the fine increasing on 23 January, it’s a great time to remind the people who don’t pay the right fare for their journey that they could end up paying a lot more if they are issued with a penalty fare.

“We offer a choice of ways to buy before you travel: if a customer boards a train without a ticket at a station where the ticket office is open, or there is a working ticket machine; or if they haven’t got a digital ticket, among other reasons, then they may be liable for a Penalty Fare. We hope this will encourage more people to be honest and buy the right ticket before they board”.

Colleagues of Southeastern are readying themselves for the changes and are committed to making sure that penalty fares are given fairly according to the law. The rail operator is also considering the best options for checking the tickets of younger customers and is also looking into the effects of the growing use of eTickets which are able to be purchased ahead on a smartphone. Staff members at stations and onboard trains will also remind customers about the new penalty fare policy and offer advice on using ticket-purchasing facilities before boarding a train.