
Some operators already incorporate the approach to avoid fining passengers who have made an honest mistake when travelling without a valid ticket.
The motivation behind the call from the watchdog comes due to the “existing challenges that passengers face when trying to buy a ticket, which can sometimes lead to inconsistent practices by train operators rightfully trying to collect their fares”.
Part of the suggested reforms include a nationwide ‘yellow card’ system, in which passengers receive a warning for the first time they travel without a valid ticket.
This would be put on their record and the reason for the error would be noted.
If you travel without the correct ticket, you could be issued with a penalty fare of £100 plus the price of the full single fare applicable for your intended journey.

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The fine is reduced to £50 plus the price of a single fare applicable if it is paid within 21 days.
Other changes include a centralised digital record of railcards issued to passengers, so if you do not have your discounted travel card with you, it can still be easily checked by a ticket inspector.
To combat the fees that can tally up by missing a connecting train on a split journey, whether that is due to a delay or otherwise, Transport Focus has called for a simpler ticketing system. This is so passengers are made aware of the terms of their ticket with “key facts not buried in small print”.
Other recommendations include introducing an agreement that penalties are not issued when there “is no net loss to industry situations”.
Some £240m is lost in fare revenue per year due to missed ticket purchases, both through honest accidents and train fare evasion, according to Transport Focus.
This pushes “much of the burden” onto taxpayers for the missed revenue, “which could be spent on improving the passenger experience”, the report noted.
‘Build trust and confidence’
Natasha Grice, director of rail at Transport Focus, said: “Transport Focus has long been concerned about the complexity of rail fares and ticketing, particularly for passengers who find it hard to buy the right ticket for their journey. We understand and support the principle that all users of rail should be paying for their ticket, but we want to make sure that passengers who make an innocent mistake aren’t punished unfairly.
“There are some things that the industry could do now to make things better, and our research tells us that if the railway is to build trust and confidence, an improved approach to revenue protection is needed. Recouping this money could help boost investment in services, making things better for passengers”
Grice added: “The call for change is timely, with the Department for Transport asking the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to run a review into train operators’ revenue protection practices. This includes the use of penalty fares and prosecution. Transport Focus will be sharing its views as part of the review and urges passengers to do the same.”
To help passengers spend less on their train journeys, National Rail launched its annual UK-wide ticket sale, which lasts until 20 January and covers travel from 17 January until the end of March.
Department for Transport’s response
Following the report, a Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Ticketing has become far too complicated, and we’re working with industry to simplify it for customers, as part of the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation.
“We’ve ordered a review of revenue protection practices, which will look at what changes can be made, and in the meantime, have been clear with train operators that their policies on ticketing must be fair and easy to understand at all times.”
The review launched by the previous Transport Secretary is open until 31 January and passengers have been asked to provide contributions as part of the call for evidence by the ORR, the independent regulator.