Tue, 03 Jun 2025

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 Train firms must stop criminalising 'innocent errors', report says

An inquiry found "disproportionate" punishments for often innocent mistakes.

* The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) found that train passengers are suffering unfair penalties for minor and often genuine mistakes in buying tickets.
* The ORR said Britain's fare system is "complex" and rail firms must stop taking "disproportionate action" against travellers.
* Examples of cases where passengers were penalized for minor mistakes include: + A passenger who accidentally chose a 16-25 railcard discount when they held a 26-30 railcard, despite both giving the same discount. + A passenger who forgot their rail card and was penalized.
* The report also found that passengers are often not aware of the rules surrounding ticketing, and that the industry has to be "more consistent".
* Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said "ham-fisted prosecutions" were punishing innocent passengers.
* The government plans to tackle fare-dodging by simplifying ticketing and developing plans for a state-owned rail operator.
* The ORR found that fare evasion costs the industry £400m a year, but acknowledged that the industry has to be more consistent in its approach.
  >>