Some train operators have been excessively prosecuting individuals accused of fare evasion, according to the rail regulator. The regulator is calling for clearer tickets and a more equitable system to prevent the penalizing of minor mistakes.
A report by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) found that passengers who boarded trains without a valid ticket faced varying treatment and outcomes across the network, with disproportionate actions sometimes taken over small errors.
The review, commissioned by the previous transport secretary, Louise Haigh, noted that fare evasion costs Britain’s railways hundreds of millions of pounds annually, undermining the sense of fairness among passengers who pay.
However, the ORR emphasized that measures to combat fare-dodging must be applied properly and fairly. Cases included a passenger threatened with prosecution for accidentally selecting a wrong railcard, and another who faced legal action due to a water-damaged printout.
The regulator urged the Department for Transport to provide passengers with clearer information about tickets and their restrictions and to establish consistent standards for handling ticket issues.
Stephanie Tobyn, the ORR’s director of strategy, policy, and reform, stated that effective revenue protection is essential for a sustainable railway but must be fair and proportionate for passengers.
Peter Hendy, the rail
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jun/04/train-ticket-enforcement-must-be-fair-and-proportionate-watchdog-warns
