In the first year since the fine for travelling on a train without a ticket was increased to £100, Northern reports that it has recorded a reduction of 20% in the number of penalty fares issued

In the 11 months between 23 January and 23 December 2023, Northern issued 41,234 penalty fares compared with the 52,394 penalty fares issued during the same period in 2022. Penalty fares were increased to £100 on 23 January 2023.

The penalty fare for travelling without a ticket had remained at £20 since 2005, but the rail industry considered that the penalty fare had become too low and no longer served as an effective deterrent to would-be fare evaders.

The results of the government’s public consultation on the issue showed that 69% of respondents agreed that a £20 penalty fare was too low.

In recent years, Northern has approached the problem of fare evasion in various ways. It has deployed revenue protection teams at known hotspots, introduced new technology to help improve the speed of ticket checks both at stations and on-board its trains; and improved the detection of digital fraud.

To make it easy for travellers to purchase train tickets, Northern has invested in the largest network of digital ticket infrastructure of any train operator in the country.

Tickets can now be bought via Northern’s app or website, or from one of over 600 ticket machines across its network.

As with other revenue income streams, money raised from penalty fares issued by Northern will be re-invested to improve the service offered to all rail customers.

Prosecutions of fare evaders come under the provisions of the Regulation of Railways Act 1889 and the Railway Byelaws made pursuant to the Transport Act 2000, whilst people attempting ticket fraud are prosecuted under the Fraud Act 2006.

Mark Powles, commercial and customer director at Northern, said: “This is a significant and much-welcomed drop in the number of penalty fares issued.

“The appetite for ‘risking it’ has clearly taken a hit in the past 12 months – and the increase in the penalty fare is no doubt a factor.

“It’s worth remembering that upwards of 95% of our customers do the right thing and buy a ticket before they travel.

“The reduction in attempted fare evasion is a victory for taxpayers who ultimately foot the bill for those that try not to pay.”