Fare Evasion

Understanding Fare Evasion

With railway companies tightening enforcement against tackling fare evasion, using the wrong railcard, travelling ticketless, or using someone else’s pass, can land you a Notice of Intended Prosecution. Penalties range from fines and the railway’s admin costs to potential criminal records which can impact your future.

Fare evasion is treated very seriously by rail operators around the country, and even minor mistakes can lead to prosecution. Here is what you need to know:

Common Types of Fare Evasion Offences

You may be accused of fare evasion if you:

• Travel without a valid ticket
• Use an expired or incorrect Railcard
• “Short-ticketting”
• Use another person’s season ticket or pass—even with their permission
• Travel outside your ticket’s valid time, zone, or class

Even honest mistakes can result in legal action, especially if operators suspect a pattern of repeated misuse.

What to expect if you are caught

If you are stopped by a Revenue Protection Officer or flagged during a ticket audit, you will typically be asked to provide your personal and contact information and then receive a:

• Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) or
• Single Justice Procedure Notice (SJPN) within 2 to 8 weeks of the incident.

These letters are time-sensitive and should not be ignored as they signal the beginning of a potential criminal process.

Potential consequences

If action is taken against you, you may face:

• Payment of unpaid fares plus administrative fees;
• A Penalty Fare; and/or
• A criminal conviction.

A conviction can have long-term effects on your career and future.

What to do if you are issued a notice

If you are issued a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) or Single Justice Procedure Notice (SJPN), you should await correspondence from the railway company, when responding, you can either plead guilty or not-guilty and present evidence in your defence.

This is the time to seek the help of a specialist in fare evasion, who can help you fully understand your options and proceed in the best way possible, collating evidence and representing you in court in help achieve the desired outcome.

The most important thing to do is avoid wasting time or ignoring the issue and act as quickly as possible.

Our specialists will guide you every step of the way

Timing is key, our experts can help you respond correctly to correspondence within tight deadlines to shape a strong. We craft persuasive responses and settlement proposals to maximise your chances of avoiding a criminal record.

We have resolved numerous cases across operators—Chiltern, Southeastern, TfW, Southwest, West Midlands—all settled out of court without court hearings or convictions.

We understand the stress of rail-related legal issues and deliver timely updates, strong representation, and personalised support. Get in touch with the team today.