PASSENGERS using West Midlands Railway’s services have been warned they face a minimum £100 fine if caught without a ticket from Monday, January 23, writes Zara Parkes.
The change represents a significant increase to the current penalty fare of £20 or twice the full single fare to the next station.
The charge can be reduced to £50 if payed within 21 days with the additional price of a full single fare applicable.
Fines will apply to those travelling without a ticket, not having the appropriate railcard for a discounted ticket and people aged 16 and over with a child ticket.
Penalty charges will also be issued for travelling in first class with a standard ticket or going beyond the stated destination.
The new charge will apply across the rail network following a national consultation by the Department for Transport.
Annamaria Izzard, head of revenue protection at WMR said: “Every year around £240million of revenue nationally is lost to the railway through fare evasion, taking money away from vital improvements to the network and ultimately costing the taxpayer.”
Tickets are available online, from station ticket offices or vending machines and via the West Midlands Railway app.
