East Midlands Railway is taking an opportunity to remind its customers of travelling with digital e-tickets to make sure that they have enough battery to show their ticket and electronic rail cards or face the possibility of a £100 penalty fare.

Customers often have a genuine reason for getting caught out with no power on their devices, however, it is impossible for a train conductor to make the distinction between fare evaders and those who have actually been caught ‘power short’. Because of the difficulties facing the rail operator’s staff, it has no choice but to give a national penalty fare which was increased in January to £100.

The rail operator’s gateline staff often carry phone chargers and may offer customers who cannot show their e-tickets an opportunity to charge their phone or purchase another ticket, which may cause a delay in travel for the passenger.

Most East Midlands Railway trains offer customers the ability to charge their phones if needed.

Neil Grabham, Customer Services Director at East Midlands Railway, said: “Customers not only have a duty to buy a ticket before they board one of our trains–but also they must be able to present it for inspection.”

“Some fraudulent travellers think they can avoid paying for an e-ticket by pretending they bought one and then informing EMR staff that their phone has no charge when challenged. This excuse won’t work and if the phone cannot be charged, EMR enforcement officers will issue penalty fares.”

“The majority of our trains provide customers the opportunity to charge their phones, while many of our gatelines have chargers available as needed.”

“For the railway to successfully operate, improve, and secure investment, fares need to be paid for and if you choose to deliberately avoid paying for a ticket, you should expect to receive a £100 penalty fare. Don’t risk it, buy a ticket!”

Fare evaders will be prosecuted under the provisions of the Regulation of Railways Act 1889 and the Railway Byelaws made pursuant to the Transport Act 2000.

Penalty Fares can be issued for the following reasons:

• Travelling without a valid ticket
• Not being able to produce the appropriate Railcard
• Travels in First Class accommodation using a Standard ticket
• Are aged 16+ travelling on a child fare ticket
• Travelling beyond the destination of the ticket

East Midlands Railway customers can purchase tickets online at a ticket machine at the station or at a ticket office.

Customers using pay-as-you-go or smart card tickets need to make sure they touch in order to start their journey.