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<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:PenaltyFaresLogo.svg|220px|right]] -->
A '''penalty fare''', '''standard fare''', or '''fixed penalty notice''' is a special, usually higher, [[fare]] charged because a passenger using [[public transport]] did not comply with the normal ticket purchasing rules. It should not be confused with an unpaid fares notice.
 
Penalty Fares are incurred when a ticket or a rail pass cannot be produced on request. If, for example a mobile device is inoperative and the ticket cannot be displayed a Penalty Fare can be issued.

Contrary to popular belief, Penalty Fares cannot solely be avoided if tickets are purchased before commencing the journey; the offence under the (British) Railway Byelaws has nothing to do with purchase of tickets, it consists solely in the failure to produce a ticket and, where necessary a Rail pass, at the time of request. Evidence of ticket purchase other than the ticket itself, is not relevant to the offence.

Penalty fares are a civil debt, not a [[fine (penalty)|fine]], and a person whose penalty fare is paid is not considered to have committed a [[Crime|criminal offence]]. Penalty fares are used to discourage casual [[fare evasion]] and disregard for the ticketing rules without resorting to (in the case of railways in Great Britain) the drastic and costly step of [[Criminal law|prosecution]] under the [[Regulation of Railways Act 1889]] or other laws dealing with theft and fraud. More egregious fare avoiders can still be prosecuted and fined or imprisoned if [[conviction|convicted]].<ref>((Cite web|url=https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/transport-offences|title = Transport Offences &#124; the Crown Prosecution Service))</ref>

== Situation by country ==
=== United Kingdom ===
==== National Rail services in Great Britain ====
===== History and legal status((anchor|British Railways (Penalty Fares) Act 1989|Railways (Penalty Fares) Regulations 2018)) =====
((Infobox UK legislation
| short_title           = British Railways (Penalty Fares) Act 1989
| type                  = Act
| parliament            = Parliament of the United Kingdom
| long_title            = An Act to empower the charging of a penalty fare for persons using passenger transport services under the control of the British Railways Board without a valid ticket for such use; and for related purposes.
| year                  = 1989
| citation              = [[List of acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1989|1989]] c. xvii
| introduced_commons    = 
| introduced_lords      = 
| territorial_extent    = 
| royal_assent          = 16 November 1989
| commencement          = 
| expiry_date           = 
| repeal_date           = 
| amends                = 
| replaces              = 
| amendments            = 
| repealing_legislation = 
| related_legislation   = 
| status                = 
| legislation_history   = 
| theyworkforyou        = 
| millbankhansard       = 
| original_text         = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/1989/17/pdfs/ukla_19890017_en.pdf
| revised_text          = 
| use_new_UK-LEG        = 
| UK-LEG_title          = 
| collapsed             = yes
))
((Infobox UK legislation
| short_title           = Railways (Penalty Fares) Regulations 2018
| type                  = Statutory Instrument
| parliament            = Parliament of the United Kingdom
| year                  = 2018
| citation              = [[SI 2018]]/366
| introduced_commons    = 
| introduced_lords      = 
| territorial_extent    = 
| si_made_date          = 12 March 2018
| si_laid_date          = 15 March 2018
| commencement          = 6 April 2018
| expiry_date           =
| repeal_date           = 
| amends                = 
| replaces              = 
| primary_legislation   = [[Railways Act 1993]]
| eu_directives         = 
| amendments            = Railways (Penalty Fares) (Amendment) Regulations 2022
| repealing_legislation = 
| related_legislation   = 
| status                = 
| legislation_history   = 
| theyworkforyou        = 
| millbankhansard       = 
| original_text         = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/366/contents
| revised_text          = 
| use_new_UK-LEG        = 
| UK-LEG_title          = 
| collapsed             = yes
))
Penalty fares were first introduced on [[British Rail]]'s [[Network SouthEast]] services under the '''British Rail (Penalty Fares) Act 1989''' (c. xvii). Over time they have been extended to cover many parts of the [[National Rail]] network. Initially the penalty fare was set at £10 or twice the full single fare to the next station (whichever was higher) in addition to the full single fare for the rest of the journey. This was raised to £20 in 2005, and to £100 for England only in 2023.<ref>((Cite web |title=Penalty Fare Regulations 2018 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/366/schedule/1 |website=Legislation.gov.uk))</ref>
 
Penalty fares on the National Rail network are legally based on section 130 of the [[Railways Act 1993]] (c. 43).<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1993/ukpga_19930043_en_15#pt3-pb3-l1g130|title=Railways Act 1993|website=www.opsi.gov.uk))</ref> The rules which govern the application of penalty fares are the Penalty Fares Rules 2002.<ref name="penalty fares rules">((cite web |url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/closed/nationalrailpenaltyfares/penaltyfaresrules.pdf |archiveurl=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100415103304/http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/closed/nationalrailpenaltyfares/penaltyfaresrules.pdf | archivedate=2010-04-15 |title=Penalty Fares Rules))</ref> Under these rules any passenger found to be without a valid ticket can be issued a penalty fare irrespective of whether it was their intent to travel without paying.

((anchor|Railways (Penalty Fares) (Amendment) Regulations 2022))
((Infobox UK legislation
| short_title           = Railways (Penalty Fares) (Amendment) Regulations 2022
| type                  = Statutory Instrument
| parliament            = Parliament of the United Kingdom
| year                  = 2022
| citation              = [[SI 2022]]/1094
| introduced_commons    = 
| introduced_lords      = 
| territorial_extent    = 
| si_made_date          = 25 October 2022
| si_laid_date          = 26 October 2022
| commencement          = 23 January 2023
| expiry_date           =
| repeal_date           = 
| amends                = [[Railways (Penalty Fares) Regulations 2018]]
| replaces              = 
| primary_legislation   = [[Railways Act 1993]]
| eu_directives         = 
| amendments            = 
| repealing_legislation = 
| related_legislation   = 
| status                = 
| legislation_history   = 
| theyworkforyou        = 
| millbankhansard       = 
| original_text         = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2022/1094/contents/made
| revised_text          = 
| use_new_UK-LEG        = 
| UK-LEG_title          = 
| collapsed             = yes
))
From January 2023, following a public consultation, the [[Department for Transport]]  increased the penalty fare to £100 in England plus the cost of the unpaid ticket, under the Railways (Penalty Fares) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 ([[SI 2022]]/1094). This is reduced to £50 plus the cost of the ticket if paid within 21 days.<ref>https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2022/1094/regulation/5/made</ref>

===== Operation =====

Penalty fares can only be issued by authorised collectors, commonly known as [[revenue protection inspector]]s (RPIs), either on the train or at the destination station. Some RPIs receive commission on each penalty issued.<ref>((cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/7093686/Ticket-collectors-getting-commission-on-penalty-fares.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |title=Ticket collectors getting commission on penalty fares |first=David |last=Millward |date=2010-01-29 |access-date=2010-05-22))</ref> RPIs are different from regular train conductors, who cannot issue penalty fares. Passengers unable to pay the fare on the spot are allowed to pay within 21 days.

If a penalty fare is issued, it is a legal requirement for the passenger to provide their name and address when so required to do by the revenue protection inspector. In England it will be a legal requirement to provide a date of birth from January 2023.<ref>https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2022/1094/regulation/7/made</ref> Refusing to do so or providing a false address is a criminal offence under the Railways (Penalty Fares) Regulations 1994.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1994/576/regulation/12/made |title=The Railways (Penalty Fares) Regulations 1994 |website=www.legislation.gov.uk))</ref>

Penalty fares cannot be issued in some circumstances, including: if passengers were unable to purchase a ticket due to faulty [[ticket machine]]s or closed [[Train ticket|ticket office]]s, if warning notices are not displayed correctly, if the train or station is excluded from a penalty fares scheme, or if the [[National Rail Conditions of Carriage]] allow an excess fare to be paid.<ref name="penalty fares rules" />

RPIs can use their discretion not to give penalty fares to passengers who may have greater difficulty in purchasing tickets e.g. elderly, disabled or pregnant passengers, those with learning difficulties, or those who do not understand English.

Travellers issued with penalty fares which they believe to be unfair may appeal the fare within 21 days to an appeal service, which varies depending on the mode of transport. For National Rail services this is the Independent Penalty Fares Appeal Service<ref>((cite web |website=[[Office of Rail Regulation]] |url=http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.5772 |title=I have been issued with a penalty fares notice by a train company for not being in possession of a valid ticket, and have a complaint. Whom should I contact? |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009175123/http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.5772 |archivedate=9 October 2007))</ref> which is run by [[Southeastern (train operating company)|Southeastern Trains]].<ref>((cite web |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2010-01-21a.311940.h&s=independant+penalty+fares+appeal+service |title=Independent Penalty Fares Appeals Service: 21 Jan 2010: Hansard Written Answers - TheyWorkForYou |website=TheyWorkForYou))</ref>

Penalty Fares are only operated by certain [[Train operating company|Train Operating Companies]] (TOCs), these include [[C2c|C2C]], [[Chiltern Railways]], [[East Midlands Railway]], [[Govia Thameslink Railway]] (including [[Southern (Govia Thameslink Railway)|Southern]], [[Gatwick Express]], [[Thameslink]] and [[Great Northern route|Great Northern]]), [[Greater Anglia]], [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]], [[Merseyrail]], [[Northern Trains|Northern]], [[Southeastern (train operating company)|Southeastern]], [[South Western Railway (train operating company)|South Western Railway]], [[TransPennine Express|Transpennine Express]](Excluding Scotland), [[Transport for Wales Rail|Transport for Wales]] (Between Shrewsbury and Birmingham only) and [[West Midlands Trains]] (includes London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Trains)

===== Compulsory ticket areas =====
Some penalty fares schemes include stations with [[paid area|compulsory ticket areas (CTAs)]], in which people without valid tickets or other authorities may be charged a penalty fare even if they have not travelled and if they do not intend to travel. These include Amersham, Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, Birmingham Moor Street, Birmingham Snow Hill, Chalfont and Latimer, Chorleywood, Derby, Ealing Broadway, Gerrards Cross, Greenford TfL station, Harrow on the Hill, High Wycombe, Leicester, London Marylebone, London St Pancras, Maidenhead, Nottingham, Rickmansworth, Sheffield, South Ruislip <ref>((cite web |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/91020/response/255510/attach/3/File+3+First+Great+Western+and+First+Capital+Connect.pdf|title=Penalty fares - a Freedom of Information request to Department for Transport |date=25 October 2011))</ref><ref>((cite web|url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/91020/response/255511/attach/4/File+1+South+Eastern+Southern+South+West+Trains+and+Chiltern.pdf|title=Penalty fares - a Freedom of Information request to Department for Transport |date=25 October 2011))</ref><ref>((cite web |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/91020/response/255511/attach/5/File+2+East+Midlands+London+Midland+Merseyrail+and+c2c.pdf |title=Penalty fares - a Freedom of Information request to Department for Transport |date=25 October 2011))</ref><ref>((cite web |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/91020/response/255510/attach/4/File+4+Tyne+Wear+NEXUS.pdf |title=Penalty fares - a Freedom of Information request to Department for Transport|date=25 October 2011))</ref>

==== Transport For London services ====

The [[London Regional Transport Act 1984#Amendments and Repeals|London Regional Transport (Penalty Fares) Act 1992]] and the [[Greater London Authority Act 1999]] allows [[Transport for London]] to charge penalty fares under similar but not identical rules to those on National Rail services.

Initially, the maximum penalty fare was set at £10 (£5 on buses and trams) or twice the full single fare to the next station (whichever is higher) in addition to the full single fare for the rest of the journey. It was later raised to £20 for all transport modes.

On 11 January 2009, it was further raised to £50 on TfL services ([[Docklands Light Railway]], the [[Emirates Air Line (cable car)|Emirates Air Line]], [[London Buses]], [[Tramlink]], [[London Overground]] and [[London Underground]])<ref name="tfl.gov.uk">((Cite web |url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14436.aspx |title=Penalty fares and prosecutions &#124; Transport for London |access-date=21 May 2010 |archive-date=24 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524012633/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14436.aspx |url-status=dead ))</ref> although like many other [[civil penalties]] in the UK, a 50% discount is applied for early payments (within 21 days). Since 2 January 2012, all TfL modes have had a penalty fare of £80.<ref name="tfl.gov.uk"/>

==== Light rail systems ====
In addition to the London services mentioned above, penalty fares apply on several other tram and metro systems in Great Britain, including the Midland Metro, Nottingham Express Transit (NET), and the Tyne and Wear Metro (NEXUS).<ref>((cite web|url=http://nxbus.co.uk/the-metro/news/higher-tram-penalty-fares-coming-down-the-track|title=Higher tram penalty fares coming down the track - National Express Midland Metro|website=nxbus.co.uk))</ref><ref>((cite web|url=http://www.thetram.net/penalty-fares.aspx|title=Nottingham Express Transit - The Tram - Penalty Fares|first=NET - Nottingham Express|last=Transit|website=www.thetram.net))</ref><ref>((cite web|url=http://www.nexus.org.uk/metro/guide-metro/penalty-fares|title=Nexus |last=n3xus@dm1n |date=13 September 2013 |website=Nexus))</ref><ref>((cite web |url=http://www.nexus.org.uk/sites/default/files/Tickets%20and%20Smartcards%20-%20Terms%20and%20Conditions%20of%20Use%20%28updated%20August%202016%29.pdf |title=Ticket and Smartcard Terms and Conditions of use))</ref> NET have confirmed that their penalty fares are authorised by byelaws.<ref>((cite web |url=https://www.thetram.net/Userfiles/About/NET%20Byelaws%202014.pdf |title=Nottingham Express Transit Byelaws 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621111755/https://www.thetram.net/Userfiles/About/NET%20Byelaws%202014.pdf |archive-date=21 Jun 2017))</ref>

Variations on the penalty fare are used by the [[Manchester Metrolink]], which it calls a "standard fare", and by Edinburgh Trams, which calls it an "on-board fare".<ref>((Cite web |url=http://www.metrolink.co.uk/tickets/Pages/standard-fare.aspx |title=Standard fare |access-date=31 December 2016 |archive-date=1 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101091718/http://www.metrolink.co.uk/tickets/Pages/standard-fare.aspx |url-status=dead))</ref><ref>((cite web |url=http://edinburghtrams.com/tickets/ticket-options |title=Fares and Tickets Information - Edinburgh Trams |website=Edinburgh Trams))</ref>

==== Northern Ireland ====

Penalty Fares on buses and trains in Northern Ireland are applied in accordance with regulations made under the Transport Act (Northern Ireland) 1967.

==== Scotland ====

While still part of the UK, Scotland has its own legal system, and train services are overseen by a separate government body ([[Transport Scotland]]).

[[ScotRail]], the franchise that operates most of the trains in Scotland, does not issue penalty fares. ScotRail may collect details and send a bill for a ticket, plus an administration fee,<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.scotrail.co.uk/about-scotrail/national-rail-conditions-carriage/revenue-protection-policy |title=Our Rules of Travel on the ScotRail Network |website=www.scotrail.co.uk))</ref> but it rarely does so. Ticket inspectors are found on most trains, and passengers travelling without a ticket are expected to buy a ticket on the train.

If a passenger had the opportunity to buy a ticket before they boarded the train (the station had a ticket machine or open ticket office), ScotRail's policy is that the passenger must buy a full-priced single ticket for their journey and not buy cheaper tickets such as cheap-day returns, senior citizen's tickets or use a Railcard to get a discount.

However, Scotland has many unstaffed train stations that do not have ticket machines or with ticket offices sometimes closed. Then, the full range of tickets is available on the train.

In England and Wales, holding an expired season ticket counts as travelling without a ticket, and passengers are liable to penalty fares or prosecution. In Scotland, passengers can renew weekly season tickets on the train. Monthly or annual season tickets are available only from staffed stations.

===Republic of Ireland===
[[Iarnród Éireann]] (Irish Rail) issues ''fixed payment notices'' on [[Dublin Area Rapid Transit]] (DART), [[Commuter (Iarnród Éireann)|Commuter light rail]], and [[InterCity (Iarnród Éireann)|InterCity]] services, per the Railway Safety Act 2005 (Fixed Payment Notice) Regulations 2006.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.irishrail.ie/contact-us/faqs?i=4272|title=Frequently Asked Questions|first=Irish|last=Rail|website=Irish Rail))</ref><ref>((cite web|url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2006/si/576/made/en/print|title=electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB)|first=electronic Irish Statute Book|last=(eISB)|website=www.irishstatutebook.ie))</ref> Appeals must be made within 21 days and failure to pay may lead to a criminal conviction and a fine of up to €1,000 plus the cost of the unpaid fare.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.irishrail.ie/contact-us/faqs?i=5128|title=Frequently Asked Questions|first=Irish|last=Rail|website=Irish Rail))</ref> In 2014, fixed penalty notices were issued to 9,885 fare evaders, of which 356 were prosecuted in the [[District Court (Ireland)|District Court]].

The [[Luas]] tram service issues ''standard fares'' of €45 if paid within 14 days or €100 if paid after 14 days but before 28 days. This is regulated under Bye-Law 4 of the Light Railway (Regulation of Travel and Use) Bye-Laws 2015 S.I. No. 322 of 2015.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.luas.ie/luas-byelaws.html|title=Luas - Luas Byelaws|website=www.luas.ie))</ref> [[Dublin Bus]] operates a similar ''standard fare'' penalty system, where a €100 penalty is reduced to €50 if paid within 21 days.<ref>((cite web|url=https://dublinbus.ie/Fares-and-Tickets/Fare-Information/Penalties--Enforcement-for-Fare-Evasion/|title=Penalties & Enforcement for Fare Evasion - Dublin Bus|website=dublinbus.ie))</ref>

===Czech Republic===
[[File:Most, nádraží, revizor a městská policie v akci.jpg|thumb|A uniformed ticket inspector with municipal police officers and a fare-dodger in the city of [[Most (city)|Most]]]]
[[File:Revizor v Brně.jpg|thumb|upright|A ticket inspector in informal clothing in a tram in [[Brno]]]]

In the Czech Republic, a penalty limit (maximum penalty) is stated by legislation: parallelly by the Road Transport Act (§ 18a of 111/1994 Sb.) for buses and by Rail Transport Act (§ 37 of 266/1994 Sb.) for trains, trams, trolleybuses and cableways (including aerial lifts). However, the wording of both these acts is co-ordinated. Penalty amount needs to be determined by the specific operator of the transport line or transport system in his Contractual Transport Conditions. The penalty is of private-law nature. To be not confused with public sanctions, they are called "surcharge" in legislation. River transport doesn't fall under this legal regulation, but the contractual terms are set similarly if the ferry or river line is integrated with other public transport.

Since 1 May 2013, the maximum penalty was heightened from 1000 [[Czech koruna|CZK]] to 1500 CZK.<ref>Zákon č. 102/2013 Sb., kterým se mění zákon č. 111/1994 Sb., o silniční dopravě, ve znění pozdějších předpisů, a další související zákony</ref> Main operators of urban transport usually use the maximum penalty as the basic variant, although a bit belatedly. E.g. in the [[Prague Integrated Transport]], the penalty was heightened from 1000 CZK to 1500 CZK since 1 January 2014,<ref>[http://www.praha.eu/jnp/cz/doprava/mhd/jizda_nacerno_od_ledna_pokuta_az_1500_kc.html JÍZDA NAČERNO: Od ledna pokuta až 1500 Kč], Praha.eu, 13 November 2013</ref> in the city of [[Ústí nad Labem]] since 1 January 2016,<ref>[https://www.dpmul.cz/index.php?art=7237 Zvýšení přirážky k jízdnému od 1.1.2016], Dopravní podnik města Ústí nad Labem, 13. January 2016</ref> in the city of [[Hradec Králové]] since 1 January 2017<ref>[http://www.dpmhk.cz/articles/year/2016/34/Zvyseni_zakladni_prirazky_k_jizdnemu_z_1_000_Kc_na_1_500_Kc Zvýšení základní přirážky k jízdnému z 1 000,- Kč na 1 500,- Kč], Dopravní podnik města Hradce Králové, 29 December 2016</ref> etc.

Usually, operators offer a penalty reduction for passengers: 
* who pay the fine immediately during the inspection (usually about 30−60 percent reduction)
* who have forgotten their long-term ticket or pay card at home and subsequently prove that they have purchased the fare before the inspection (e.g. in Prague, such passengers pay only a symbolic penalty 50 CZK instead of full 1500 CZK).

Since 23 October 2017, Prague announced a special 50 percent penalty discount for such fare dodgers who will additionally purchase an all-year network ticket, and the action continues for 2018 and in January 2019, this measure has become permanent.<ref>[http://www.praha.eu/jnp/cz/o_meste/magistrat/tiskovy_servis/tiskove_zpravy/pokuta_za_pulku_pokracuje_cernych.html Pokuta za půlku pokračuje, černých pasažérů v Praze ubývá], Praha.eu, 14 January 2019</ref> The price of the all-year network ticket is very favourable, 3650 CZK (= 10 CZK per day).

[[České dráhy]] as the main operator of railway passenger transport have the maximum penalty set to 1000 CZK, but it is reduced to 400 CZK if it is paid immediately. However, if the passenger preannounces to the conductor that he does not have a ticket, only 40 CZK handling surcharge applies. That's why the full penalty is very rarely applied. If the passenger has boarded at a stop where the ticket office is not open, the ticket can be purchased by the conductor without any surcharge.<ref>[https://www.cd.cz/assets/info/cim-se-ridime/tr-10-zmena-21_cb.pdf ČT TR 10 : Tarif Českých drah pro vnitrostátní přepravu cestujících a zavazadel], a wording valid since 16 November 2018</ref>

If the penalty is not paid immediately, the passenger is required to produce valid identification documents. If such identification is not provided, the conductor is instructed to contact the police for assistance.((citation needed|date=August 2020))

=== Germany ===
Penalty fare ("erhöhtes Beförderungsentgelt") schemes in local transport (suburban rail, buses, underground trains) are administered by local transport authorities (Verkehrsverbund). The penalty fare is usually €60 or twice the ticket price (whichever is higher).

Germany's principal InterCity TOC, [[DB Fernverkehr]], introduced a penalty fare scheme in 2022. Historically, it was possible to buy tickets after boarding with a €17 surcharge. Since the beginning of 2022, passengers who boarded without a ticket will instead receive a penalty fare of twice the ticket price—with a minimum of €60.<ref>((Cite news |date=January 6, 2022 |title=EXPLAINED: Deutsche Bahn's new ticket rules for 2022 |work=The Local |url=https://www.thelocal.de/20220106/explained-deutsche-bahns-new-ticket-rules-for-2022 |access-date=July 25, 2023))</ref>

=== Philippines ===
The penalty fare for passengers without lacking or holding invalid tickets on the [[Philippine National Railways]]' [[PNR Metro Commuter Line|Metro Commuter Line]] is the maximum fare ([[Philippine piso|PHP]] 30.00 in the Manila-Alabang route and PHP 60.00 in the Manila-Calamba route).<ref>((Cite web|url=http://www.pnr.gov.ph/getting-around/metro-commuter-line/fares-tickets|title=Fares & Tickets|website=www.pnr.gov.ph|language=en|access-date=2018-12-04|archive-date=1 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101104206/http://www.pnr.gov.ph/getting-around/metro-commuter-line/fares-tickets|url-status=dead))</ref>

=== Hong Kong ===
According to the "Conditions of Issue of Tickets" of the [[MTR]], passengers traveling without a ticket in paid areas of MTR, are subject to a [[Hong Kong dollar|HK$]]500 surcharge. This includes those traveling in First Class carriages on the [[East Rail line]] without a First Class single-journey ticket or validated [[Octopus card]].

=== Hungary ===
The penalty fare on the [[Budapest Metro]] is set at 16,000 forint (8,000 if paid on the spot).

=== Russia ===
In the Moscow Oblast, the penalty fare is 1,000 [[Russian ruble|rubles]]. On railways, the penalty fare will be increased to fifty times the 10&nbsp;km fare, plus the fare from the previous station to named station.

===Switzerland===
Switzerland operates a similar system to Germany. Long-distance trains have a ticket inspector on board who checks all tickets. The purchase of tickets on board was no longer possible after 10 December 2011. Local trains within a ''Tarifverbunde'' (local zone fare systems) use penalty fares with random checks. For example, in North-West Switzerland the penalty fare is CHF 100, but the monthly season costs CHF 75.<ref>((Cite web |url=http://www.tnw.ch/fileadmin/redacteur/pdf/Allgemein/Allgemeine_Tarifinformationen.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=29 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702202013/http://www.tnw.ch/fileadmin/redacteur/pdf/Allgemein/Allgemeine_Tarifinformationen.pdf |archive-date=2 July 2014 |url-status=dead ))</ref> Even with relatively infrequent ticket checks there is a financial incentive to remain legal.
=== Sweden ===
The [[Stockholm Metro]] operates a penalty fare scheme for passengers that do not have a valid paper ticket, e-ticket or validated smart and contactless cards. The penalty fare is 1500 [[Swedish krona|SEK]] on top of the appropriate fare for that journey, which is 39 SEK or 26 SEK for concessions, and must be paid within 10 days. There is a right of appeal to [[ISS A/S|ISS]].<ref>((Cite web |title=Penalties and enforcement ((!)) SL |url=https://sl.se/en/in-english/fares--tickets/penalties-and-enforcement#:~:text=You%20will%20be%20liable%20to,persons%20it%20is%20SEK%2026. |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=sl.se))</ref>

=== Australia ===

Five states run train networks: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia, and all have different penalty fares.

In New South Wales, the penalty for travelling without a valid ticket is $200, with the maximum penalty being $550.<ref>((Cite web|url=https://transportnsw.info/travel-info/using-public-transport/travel-offences-fines-penalties|title = Travel offences, fines and penalties))</ref>

In Victoria, passengers intercepted by authorised officers without a valid ticket are given the option of having their name and address taken and having the circumstances of their offence documented which may result in a $217 fine being mailed to their address. Passengers also have the option of purchasing a $75 on-the-spot penalty fare with their credit card or debit card, which cannot be appealed.<ref>((Cite web |url=http://ptv.vic.gov.au/penaltyfares |title=On-the-spot Penalty Fares - Public Transport Victoria |access-date=17 April 2015 |archive-date=17 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417061533/http://ptv.vic.gov.au/penaltyfares |url-status=dead ))</ref>

In Queensland, the penalty for travelling without a valid ticket is $227.<ref>((cite web |url=http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/RailServices/City/Pages/ConditionsofTravel.aspx |title=Conditions of Travel |website=www.queenslandrail.com.au |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411205217/http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/RailServices/City/Pages/ConditionsofTravel.aspx |archive-date=11 April 2015 |url-status=dead))</ref>

In Western Australia, the on-the-spot penalty fare cost is $100.<ref>((Cite web|url=http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Using-Transperth/Infringements|title = Login to My Account))</ref>

In South Australia, the penalty for travelling without a valid ticket is $220.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/Fare-Evasion/Home|title=Adelaide Metro - Home|first=Service|last=SA|website=www.adelaidemetro.com.au))</ref>

===Taiwan===
In [[Taiwan Railways Administration]], anyone who caught fare evading can be charged full fare plus an extra 50% penalty fare.

In Taipei MRT, min NT$1,500.

In Kaohsiung [[Circular light rail]], if caught fare evading, penalty fare will be 50 multiple from the normal single fare.

===United States===

In the [[New York metropolitan area]], tickets sold on board the [[Long Island Rail Road]] and the [[Metro-North Railroad]], as well as on [[New Jersey Transit]] trains, carry a surcharge. This is not described as a penalty, simply a more expensive purchase option.<ref>((cite web |url=http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/fares.htm |title=MNR Fares and Schedules |website=web.mta.info))</ref> Some stations along these commuter lines do not have ticketing facilities in the waiting area, and passengers pay the standard fare when they purchase a ticket from a conductor.

[[Metra]] offers onboard ticket sales by conductors, but will assess a $5 penalty (along with additional costs) for traveling past the travel zone of a particular ticket, and also adds a $5 charge for any passenger buying a ticket onboard, who boarded at a station with a ticket vending machine or ticket agent on duty.<ref>((cite web |url=https://www.metrarail.com/sites/default/files/assets/metra_fares_and_policies_final_2019.pdf |title=Metra fare policies))</ref>

[[Amtrak]] conductors can sell tickets to customers who do not have a ticket, but there is a surcharge if the train was boarded at a station that was open and able to sell tickets.

On most local bus and rail systems, failure to purchase a ticket in advance is considered "fare evasion" which can result in a citation with a fine ranging from $100 to $500 depending on the jurisdiction. On systems relying on the [[proof-of-payment|honor system]], inspectors will randomly check for passengers not purchasing tickets. Otherwise more serious penalties may apply for jumping turnstiles or otherwise evading fare collection systems.

== Criticisms ==
((more citations needed section|date=April 2018))
Most of the following criticisms((which|date=April 2018)) have appeared in the Passenger Focus documents "Ticket to Ride" (2012) <ref>http://www.passengerfocus.org.uk/media/5c730d767b604be956ef3384923b88df4b0dc3f0/Ticket%20to%20Ride%20-%20full%20report%20-%20May%202012%20-%20FINAL.pdf ((Dead link|date=March 2022))</ref> and "Ticket to Ride - an Update" (2015)<ref name="ticket to ride update">http://www.passengerfocus.org.uk/media/4456151818a0a1658bfd421c3e9c86c9c650de05/Ticket%20to%20Ride%20%E2%80%93%20an%20update%20-%20February%202015%20-%20FINAL.pdf ((Dead link|date=March 2022))</ref>

* There has been insufficient information about penalty fares schemes at stations and on websites. Despite some improvements, the information provision is still variable.
* Rail companies comment generally that posters at stations often go unnoticed by passengers, yet they may rely on these to announce the existence of penalty fares schemes. More effective ways of conveying the information, such as on Customer Information screens (CIS), are not always used. CIS displays may tell the company that runs your train, whether it is on time, what catering facilities it has, where first class seating is located but not that penalties apply without a valid ticket.
* Passenger Focus observes that "Posters that are a critical part of the penalty-fares system can be ‘lost’ when displayed with other posters. They are also sometimes positioned a short distance from the station entry points, or angled in a way that loses impact".<ref name="ticket to ride update" />
* The requirement to buy a ticket before boarding a train may not be entirely obvious to those are unfamiliar with the railway and accustomed to paying onboard other forms of transport, especially if warning notices are inadequate.
* Penalty fares further complicate an already complex system of fares and penalties, and as not all TOCs have penalty fares schemes, they mean that ticketless passengers are treated differently according to which trains they are on. There are examples of trains run by different companies operating over the same stretch of route but having different policies in place for ticketless passengers.
* The penalties are sometimes disproportionate to the offence and can amount to hundreds of pounds on long-distance routes because of the doubled cost to the next station, as calculated under the rules.
* Penalty fares can be issued even if the train company has suffered no financial loss as a result of the passenger's mistake: if an invalid ticket of the same value is held.
* Penalty fares schemes as currently operated may not sufficiently differentiate between passengers who make honest mistakes and those intending to evade fares.
* Lack of consistency since similar errors by passengers can result in very different outcomes: no penalty, a penalty fare or prosecution depending on the TOC's policy and the discretion of the inspectors. There are no national guidelines to ensure consistency, and there are criticisms about shortcomings in the training of staff.
* There is usually a difference in treatment of passengers who forget their season tickets compared to those who forget their railcards. The former group are often allowed to buy another ticket and then claim a refund later upon presentation of their season ticket. However, the latter group are liable to penalty fares.
* Discretion is not always being used correctly despite being a specific requirement of penalty fares schemes. There are claimed to be cases of disabled people given penalty fares when it should not have happened.((citation needed|date=April 2018))
* There have been problems((clarify|date=April 2018)) with buying and collecting tickets. Some ticket machines do not display basic information about restrictions, and there have been ticket-printing problems leading to penalty fares.
* Queuing times for tickets, at some larger regional stations, were regularly being breached when Passenger Focus undertook a study in 2010.<ref>http://www.passengerfocus.org.uk/media/16db065ede832a6213b61cd8798e57c480fbf919/pf_queuing_report.pdf ((Dead link|date=March 2022))</ref>
* During appeals, administration fees are sometimes added before the outcome of the appeal.
*[[Passenger Focus]] questioned whether an appeals body funded by a train company can be truly independent.<ref>((Cite web |url=http://www.passengerfocus.org.uk/news-and-publications/document-search/document.asp?dsid=3556 |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 February 2010 |archive-date=17 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717105835/http://www.passengerfocus.org.uk/news-and-publications/document-search/document.asp?dsid=3556 |url-status=dead ))</ref>
* There have been problems for people trying to appeal online, with the delays resulting in a penalty fare.
* There is a lack of transparency about how many penalties are issued and how many appeals allowed but no regular independent checks on the appeal bodies.
* The use of threats of prosecution under Railway Bylaw 18 to chase the civil debts of penalty fares has been criticised by Passenger Focus, which believes that the power given to the industry is being misused in some instances.
<!-- Please do NOT add your own gripes to this list! If you want to add something make sure that it is referenced to a reliable source (see WP:RS) -->

== See also ==
*[[British Transport Police]]
*[[National Rail Conditions of Carriage]]
*[[London Underground ticketing]]

== References ==
((Reflist))

== External links ==
*[[Department for Transport]]: [https://web.archive.org/web/20071009133025/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/legislation/pf/penaltyfarespolicya Penalty Fares Policy]
*National Rail: [http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/purchasing_tickets/penalty_fares.htm Penalty Fares]
*Transport for London: [http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/penaltyfares/1089.aspx Penalty fares and prosecutions] (Lists the various Appeal Bodies)

((British railway ticketing))

((DEFAULTSORT:Penalty Fare))
[[Category:Passenger rail transport in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Fare collection systems in the United Kingdom]]

[[de:Beförderungserschleichung (Deutschland)#Fahrpreisnacherhebung]]

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