without ticket travel in train fine

Major and Minor Penalties in Railway

Passengers with short distance tickets found traveling in a coach reserved for long distance passengers..

A passenger holding a ticket for a short distance, found travelling in a coach reserved for long distance passengers, will be asked to vacate the coach at the station of detection unless he pays the difference between the fare for the minimum permissible distance for travelling in that coach and the fare paid.

Passengers with short distance tickets found traveling by restricted trains.

Where the distance between the station at which the passenger entrains and the destination of the train itself is less than the minimum distance prescribed for the train, he will be liable to pay the difference between the fare paid and the fare for the minimum distance.

But a passenger who holds a ticket for a station beyond the restricted distance and detrains short of the minimum distance, travel upto which is restricted, is not to be penalized in any manner.

Persons travelling in Postal Vans.

Railway Mail Service staff are supplied with metal tokens for travelling in postal vans. Any person in a postal van who is unable to produce his token, must be treated as a passenger travelling without ticket in a first class compartment. The matter should also be reported to the Divisional Commercial Superintendent for taking up with the postal authorities.

Mendicants travelling without ticket.

Faqirs, Sadhus and other Mendicants, who travel without ticket and have no money, should be sent up for trial under section 137, and not under section 138 of the Railways Act, as they obviously intend to defraud the railway. The charge-sheets with which such persons are made over to the police, must be carefully prepared showing that prosecution is, to be undertaken under section 137 of the Railways Act.

Checking of tickets and passes of passengers travelling by Goods Trains.

Guards in charge of goods trains must check tickets and passes of passengers who travel in their brake vans to ensure that the tickets or passes are actually available for such travel. It should also be seen by the Guards that such passes/tickets are collected by the staff at destination stations.

Checking of tickets of lady passengers travelling in compartments reserved for ladies exclusively.

The checking of compartments reserved for females will ordinarily be done by Lady Ticket Collectors/Examiners. Male Ticket Collectors or Travelling Ticket Examiners must not enter "Females" compartments but may check their tickets from the platforms only.

Travelling without a pass or ticket.

Fare from the station which he has travelled or from the station which the train originally started or from the checking point with equal amount of excess charge subject to a minimum of Rs. 250/- upto the point of detection.

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Help with travel without a valid ticket or with a partly valid ticket.

Here you can find questions and answers on paying online, costs and deadlines for travel without a valid ticket (RogF) or with a partly valid ticket (RemitF).

Paying the fee for forgetting your travelcard and invoices for travel without a valid ticket or with a partly valid ticket online.

Have you received the ‘Travel without a valid ticket’ or ‘Travel with a partly valid ticket’ form? 

You can pay the following fees and invoices directly online:

• Fee “Forgotten Travelcard”
• Invoice for ‘Travel without a valid ticket’ (RogF).
• Invoice for ‘Travel with a partly valid ticket’ (RemitF).

Requirement to hold a ticket.

Are you required to hold a ticket on all sbb trains.

Yes, you must hold a valid ticket to travel on all SBB trains (local, regional and long-distance services).

This means that all passengers are responsible for making sure that they have a ticket or travelcard. Customers must have a valid ticket or travelcard before the start of the journey (actual departure). The purchase and ordering process (tickets purchased digitally) and the acquisition of authorisation to travel (check-in) must be fully completed before actual departure. Tickets are not sold aboard the train.

Does the requirement to have a ticket also apply to foreign trains (TGV, ICE, Railjet etc.)?

Yes, on their Swiss routes.

Why can I no longer buy tickets on the train?

Market research has shown that service is of course important to customers – but that ticket sales is not at the top of their wish list. What is at the top of the list, however, is the purchase of class upgrades and changes of route. These services will therefore continue to be available on long-distance trains .

Details regarding RogF and RemitF.

What does ‘travel without a valid ticket’ mean.

If you are unable to present a ticket that is valid for all of the route you are travelling, you will be given a ‘travel without a valid ticket’ document. If you travel without a valid ticket, you will pay a surcharge in addition to the fare. 

Whether you didn’t have enough to time to buy a ticket, or you checked in too late, or if you were no longer able to find the ticket, it makes no difference. Furthermore, your personal details will be electronically recorded and kept for at least two years. You will be charged both the cost of the ticket and the supplement.

What does ‘travel with a partly valid ticket’ mean?

You will be given a ‘travel with only a partly valid ticket’ form, if you are travelling with a ticket that is valid for the entire route, but is insufficient for one of the following specific reasons:

RemitF on all services.

• have a ticket for the wrong customer group (e.g. a half-price or reduced-price ticket without justification)
• have chosen the wrong mode of transport for part of a route (e.g. on the Berne − Zurich Enge via Zurich HB route, part of the journey is made by tram)
• max. 1 missing zone for regional transport tickets or max. 1 missing stop for national transport tickets.

RemitF on regional services.

• who are not in possession of a class upgrade
• who are not in possession of a route upgrade or hold a ticket for a different route (which has the same departure and destination stations or the same departure and destination zones, but another direct and similar route)

What differences are there between regional and long-distance services?

On long-distance services (IC, ICN, IR and international trains), it is still possible to purchase a class or route upgrade on board the train without paying a supplement. The minimum price for a class upgrade is 10 francs. It is not possible to purchase ticket upgrades on regional services (RE, R, S, SN).

Are there exceptions where I do not have to pay a surcharge?

Yes, the exceptions are as follows:

• Forgotten your personal travelcard: you pay a fee of CHF 5 only.
• Families: children do pay an increased surcharge.
• Groups: the increased surcharge is charged once only.

I have received the ‘Travel without a valid ticket’ or ‘Travel with a partly valid ticket’ form and have a question about it.

On the“RogF SBB Servicecenter Revenue” form, please select the category “Another reason”.

Costs and deadlines.

What surcharges are charged, overview of the surcharges charged..

Prices and product specifications subject to change.

• The fee is collected against a bill.
• The passenger and travel data are recorded on the train.
• In order to determine the surcharge, cases occurring in regional traffic (RV) and long-distance traffic (FV) are graded in the national SynServ database.
• In regional services, a flat-rate fare is billed in addition to the surcharges.
• In long-distance services, the actual fare is billed in addition to the surcharges.
• The surcharges are differentiated depending on whether the ticket is invalid or partially valid. Additionally, the surcharges increase in the 2nd and 3rd instances.
• The obligation to buy a ticket before travelling applies generally on transport company networks for direct services in Switzerland.

What additional costs may be incurred?

Additional costs can arise in the following cases:

What are the payment deadlines?

If you receive an invoice, payment reminder or reminder from us regarding a travel without a valid ticket, these must be paid by the following deadlines:

• Invoice: within 30 days
• Reminder: within 10 days

Did you forget your travelcard or your SwissPass?

Were you unable to present a valid personal travelcard or SwissPass during ticket inspection? Presentation at a later date incurs a fee of CHF 5. You can pay this when you submit the form at the counter or online within 10 days. The fee rises to CHF 30 after 10 days. You will receive the invoice from the SBB Servicecenter Revenue by post.

Can I face criminal prosecution for travel without a valid ticket or travel with only a partly valid ticket?

Yes, we can take you to court for infringement of the Swiss Passenger Transport Act (PBG). Bear in mind that if you are taken to court you will incur further costs (court costs, penalties, etc.).

Invoice and reminder.

May i deal with a bill over the telephone on behalf of my son/daughter (adult) or another third party.

Yes, however data protection legislation means that we require your power of attorney.

I have received a bill, but I was not travelling by train. What now?

Think about who might have been able to misuse your identity. Misuse of your identity is a criminal act. For this reason, you could make a complaint to the police.

Please also contact us without delay:

Do you wish to pay your outstanding debts in instalments?

No problem – you should note the following conditions:

• Minimum monthly instalment: CHF 40
• There is a one-off fee of CHF 40 for the instalment agreement (administrative expenses).
• Maximum number of monthly instalments: 24

Are you interested, and can you meet these conditions? If yes, then please complete the following form:

Deadline extension.

Have you received an invoice or reminder with regard to a journey without a valid ticket would you like to extend the deadline.

We offer a deadline extension of up to three months from the date of travel. If you would like a deadline extension of more than three months, a payment postponement of a maximum of six months may be granted. However, this is only possible if there is a guardianship or similar and a debt restructuring plan is submitted.

Please note that no further travel without a valid ticket or with only a partly valid ticket is permitted within the payment period. Otherwise, the agreement will be void and the debts shall become due for payment immediately.

Have you read the above terms and conditions and wish to extend your deadline? Then please complete the following form:

Consolidation of all debts.

Would you like to request consolidation of all your outstanding debts .

Please complete the following form:

I have received a bill but I believe that I have already paid it. Should I ignore the bill?

No, on no account! First check to whom you have paid this debt. Did you perhaps pay the debt to a different debt collection agency (e.g. Zurich Transport Network, Bernmobil)? If not, please contact us.

My case was at the debt collection office and I have paid my debt in full. Will this case now automatically be deleted from the register of judgements?

No. Please submit a written request to have the entry deleted (retraction costs: CHF 50).

I have received a reminder. This includes reminder fees of CHF 40. Is SBB allowed to charge this fee?

Yes, the fees for SBB ancillary services are included in Tariff 610. According to SBB Tariff 610 section 23.200, the SBB Revenue Service Centre can charge a reminder fee of CHF 40. Furthermore, the invoice also makes it clear that a reminder fee of CHF 40 will be charged if the invoice is not paid. 

What do I have to do to submit a request for the retraction of debt enforcement or the deletion of the entry in the debt collection register?

I have a completely different question regarding invoices or reminders..

On the“Rog FSBB Servicecenter Revenue” form, please select the category “Another reason”.

Reminder before start of debt collection procedure and debt enforcement.

I’ve received a reminder before start of debt collection procedure. it includes an administrative fee of chf 40. is sbb allowed to charge this fee.

Yes, because the SBB Revenue Service Centre is not a professional representative as per Art. 27 para. 2 of DEBA.

What should I do if I would like to request a deadline extension, a deferral, an overview of outstanding claims or payment by instalments?

You have the option to indicate your requests in the form ‘Reminder before start of debt collection procedure (RogF)’.

I have a different question about debt enforcement and the reminder before start of debt collection.

In the form ‘Reminder before start of debt collection procedure (RogF)’, select the category ‘Other reason’.

Legal principles.

Passengers without a valid ticket or with a partially valid ticket pay a surcharge and a flat rate fare or the fare due. Identification is taken in all cases. The right to file a charge is reserved in all cases.

Additional fees shall be paid in the event of misuse (at least 100 francs per person). Additionally, the right to initiate legal proceedings is reserved.

In addition to high fines (at least 200 francs), presentation of a forged ticket will always be pursued under the law.

We base all our decisions on the Common ancillary fare conditions for National Direct Service and the regional fare networks. This tariff is supported by the Swiss Passenger Transport Act (PBG, 745.1) and the Ordinance concerning Passenger Transport (VPB, 745.11).

Additional fees are regulated by tariff 610 under the services of the SBB credit control centre.

General Passenger Tariff Fare regulations for passengers possessing no valid ticket Link opens in new window.  (in line with T600, section 13) (in German, French and Italian only) Swiss Passenger Transport Act Link opens in new window.

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Penalty fares

If you can’t produce a valid ticket for your full journey, you may be charged a Penalty Fare. Learn the rules and see what a Penalty Fare might cost you.

How much is a Penalty Fare?

A Penalty Fare is £100 plus the price of the full single fare applicable for your intended journey. However, if it is paid within 21 days, the Penalty Fare is reduced to £50 plus the price of the single fare applicable

When can I be charged with a Penalty Fare?

You may have to pay a Penalty Fare if you:

• travel without a valid ticket
• are unable to produce an appropriate Railcard for a discount ticket
• travel in First Class accommodation with a Standard ticket
• are aged 16 or over, travelling on a child rate ticket
• travel beyond the destination on your ticket.

If you are a disabled passenger, and are unable to easily purchase a ticket at the station where the journey starts, then the appropriate fare, including discount if applicable, can be paid en route without penalty.

If you travel on the railway intending not to pay the fare, then you may be prosecuted for fraud. The current maximum penalty upon conviction is £1,000 fine and/or 3 months imprisonment.

You are required by law to provide your full name and address to the inspector even if you pay the penalty fare in full. They can check these details and will know if the details you give are not correct.

Frequently asked questions – Penalty fares

A Penalty Fare is a fare charged at a higher rate than the normal price because a passenger didn't follow the normal rules for buying a ticket. It is not a fine.

A Penalty Fare is £100 plus the price of the appropriate single fare for your intended journey on that train.

However, if it is paid within 21 days, the Penalty Fare is reduced to £50 plus the price of the single fare.

Penalty fares can be issued by authorised railway staff. These include:

• revenue protection officers (ticket inspectors)
• station platform staff

You may be given a penalty fare if you don't have a valid ticket (or permit to travel) for your journey.

If you travel on a train without a valid ticket, you will be have to pay the full single fare or full return fare or, if appropriate, a penalty fare for your journey.

Penalty fares can be issued, for example, if you:

• can't produce an appropriate railcard on a discounted ticket
• travel in first class with a standard ticket
• travel on a child rate ticket when you are aged 16 or over
• travel past the destination on your ticket
• If you have not activated a day pass for your Flexi Season ticket before boarding the train

Find out more about penalty fares

If you lose or forget your season ticket/photocard you must buy a replacement ticket for your journey . Keep the tickets because you can claim a full refund at the ticket office where you purchased your season ticket.

Only two refund applications will be considered in a 12 month period and you may be charged an administration fee.

If you find that you don’t have your season ticket once you're on the train, you’ll be asked to give your details and to pay the standard single fare for your journey (which will be refunded on production of your valid season ticket). If you have no money then you will be given a 'nil paid' penalty fare.

You must then send a copy of your valid season ticket to the address shown on the penalty fare. If you don't do this within 21 days you will be asked to pay the full amount for the journey undertaken.

Please note this does not apply to Flexi Season tickets.

Yes, you must have a valid ticket or permit to travel before you start your journey.

Most stations have ticket vending machines, but if one isn't available you should buy a permit to travel from the permits machine.

You can check ticket office opening hours in our station information .

Don't forget, you can also buy tickets online or via our app before you travel.

You have 21 days to pay by;

• Sending a cheque or postal order to the payment address on the notice (with the notice included). Please do not send cash through the post.
• Paying online at payments.gtrailway.com
• Via Phone on 0330 095 9327 (Monday to Friday 10:00 – 16:30)

Yes. You can appeal against a penalty fare in writing or online within 21 days  starting the day after the issue date.

Written appeals should be sent to the address shown on the notice you were given.

You can also make your appeal online at www.penaltyservices.co.uk

Penalty Services is an independent organisation. They will consider your appeal based on the facts of the case and rule on whether to uphold or cancel the penalty fare.

Please call our penalty fare payment line on 0330 095 9327 (Monday to Friday 10:00 – 16:30) , they should be able to help you get the penalty fare number giving you ability to appeal (you can make your appeal online at www.penaltyservices.co.uk ) or pay the penalty fare, as long as it is submitted within 21 days of issue.

Please note this is payment line only and they cannot accept calls in relation to any appeals or mitigation.

Frequently asked questions – Prosecutions

We are a very busy team and it can be a little while before we receive the inspector's reports and process them. If you are concerned you may have missed some correspondence, for example if you have moved address, you can e-mail the Prosecutions Team at [email protected] with the details you gave the inspector at the time and the date you made the journey, and we can look into this further for you.

It is vitally important that you inform us of any address changes, as it is likely we will be sending letters to you via the address given the revenue member of staff at the time, if correspondence is not replied to, this may mean that court action to recover any outstanding fare is taken.

PLEASE NOTE – This mailbox is only used to inform us of a new correspondence address or sending through evidence of a valid ticket or railcard at the time the journey was undertaken, this email address cannot be used to make any appeal or mitigation, any emails sent in this vein will be ignored and deleted.

Any ticket or railcard purchased after commencement of the rail journey will be wholly disregarded as this would not have been valid at the time of inspection.

If you were given a Penalty Fare (Only courts can issues fines) you will have been given a copy of the Penalty Fare Notice at the time with a prefix starting “GTREPF” or “GTRPF”, and this contains all the information you need to pay and appeal.

Here is the payment website: payments.gtrailway.com

Your copy Railcard/Season Ticket will be matched with the inspector's report and if everything is in order you will not hear from us, we will only contact passengers when there is an issue between what has been reported and what we have received.

You can submit your railcard here .

We DO NOT issue “Fines”. The Inspector may have spoken to you about a Penalty Fare at the time, but if you did not have the means to pay towards this, or refused to do so, the inspector has no option but to make a report of the incident and pass it to the Prosecutions Team to deal with, Alternatively it is at the inspectors discretion how to deal with matters at the time they speak to a passenger, and they may have decided to report the matter instead of offering to sell you a ticket, or offer a penalty fare.

Once the matter is reported to us we will be in contact via the postal details provided by you at the time. We suggest you reply to the letter and send your explanation, mitigation, and any relevant documentation to the Prosecutions Team.

The Inspector may have spoken to you about a Penalty Fare at the time, but if you did not have the means to pay towards this, or refused to do so, the inspector has no option but to make a report of the incident and pass it to the Prosecutions Team to deal with.

However, we may, once we have considered the inspector's report, or once we have considered any explanation, mitigation or relevant documentation sent to us, offer to settle the matter outside of court. The settlement figure is made up of the outstanding fare and a contribution towards the Prosecution Teams administration costs.

Payment can be made online via our website: payments.gtrailway.com or via card over the phone on 02045669166.

The ticket will be retained by the prosecutions teams as part of the case file. If you require a duplicate ticket, this needs to be applied for at your local ticket office or if purchased online via the online provider who issued the ticket.

If you have purchased tickets to cover your journey before you have received a duplicate ticket, you may be able to claim a refund on those tickets, provided you have retained the tickets purchased.

If you are reported for an offence(s) under the railway byelaws these are classed as matters of strict liability.

This means that there is no mention of intent to avoid the fare or committing the offence.

All that prosecution need to do is prove that the offence has been committed. Additionally, buying the correct ticket or supporting document after the offence was committed will not be accepted by the prosecution.

If your query is relating to an “Intention to Prosecute letter” we would ask that this is completed and returned to us for consideration.

All matters of appeal should be made in writing to:

Prosecutions Department Eastside Offices King’s Cross Railway Station LONDON N1C 4AX

If your query is regarding anything else please contact us via email [email protected] – This mailbox cannot be used to appeal, you will be written to in due course and the response should be made out to the address above. Any appeal sent to the above address will be disregarded and deleted.

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• Rail franchising

New independent appeals process to protect passengers issued with penalty fares

Penalty fare rules altered to offer greater protection to those making genuine mistakes.

New rules coming into force today (6 April 2018) will offer a greater level of protection for rail passengers issued with a penalty fare, where they make an honest mistake, Rail Minister Jo Johnson has announced.

Fare dodgers will continue to receive tough penalties, but those with a genuine reason for not having a valid ticket will now be able to challenge a penalty with an independent committee, not connected to the rail companies. Once an appeal is received, the clock will stop on the 21 day deadline for the payment of a penalty fare, until the outcome is resolved.

The process will also give greater consideration to circumstances of how and why the penalty was issued, to ensure people are not unfairly penalised.

Rail Minister Jo Johnson said:

Rail users should make every effort to get the right ticket for their journey, but if you make an honest mistake, you should feel confident that the appeals system will recognise this and treat you fairly. We are simplifying the rules around penalty fares and introducing an independent appeals process to help those who make a genuine error when using the railway.

The penalty fares guidance was last updated in 2002 and the new regulations will make the appeals system more consistent and clearer across rail companies. This includes reducing the existing 3 documents of guidance on penalty fares down to one simple document.

Penalty fares promotional video

Jac Starr, Managing Director of Customer Experience at the Rail Delivery Group, said:

Customers sometimes make genuine mistakes and the changes to the penalty fares system, which is meant to deter fare dodgers, will help those who feel they have been mistreated and ensure there is enough time to deal with their appeal. Fare dodgers deprive the railway of about £200 million every year, money which would otherwise be invested to improving Britain’s railway for customers, communities and the economy.

A penalty fare can be issued where an individual travels without a valid ticket, or is unable to produce a railcard on a discounted ticket, stays on the train beyond the destination they have paid for or travels in the wrong class.

Passengers receive a charge of either £20 or twice the full single fare from the station where they got on the train to the next station at which the train stops.

The Rail Delivery Group is today publishing new best practice guidance on the new penalty fare regime

For information about the penalty appeal services, visit the penalty services and appeal services websites.

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Penalty fares Information on penalty fares and prosecutions

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Penalty fares and prosecutions

If you can’t produce a valid ticket for your full journey, you may be charged a Penalty Fare. Learn the rules and see what a Penalty Fare might cost you.

Why we use this scheme

When a small percentage of people travel without paying, it adds up – the railway loses an estimated £500m every year through ticketless travel and fraud. That’s a lot of money that could be spent for maintenance, staff and improvements. And it’s very unfair for our honest, paying passengers.

We are committed to making sure that all passenger journeys made with us are paid for.

How much is a Penalty Fare?

When can i be charged with a penalty fare.

You may have to pay a Penalty Fare if you:

• Travel without a valid ticket
• Are unable to produce an appropriate Railcard for a discount ticket
• Travel in First Class accommodation with a Standard ticket
• Are aged 16 or over, travelling on a child rate ticket
• Travel beyond the destination on your ticket.

If you are a disabled passenger, and are unable to easily purchase a ticket at the station where the journey starts, then the appropriate fare, including discount if applicable, can be paid en route without penalty.

If you travel on the railway intending not to pay the fare, then you may be prosecuted for fraud. The current maximum penalty upon conviction is £1,000 fine and/or 3 months imprisonment.

You are required by law to provide your full name and address to the inspector even if you pay the penalty fare in full. They can check these details and will know if the details you give are not correct.

Frequently asked questions – Penalty fares

A Penalty Fare is a fare charged at a higher rate than the normal price because a passenger didn't follow the normal rules for buying a ticket. It is not a fine.

A Penalty Fare is £100 plus the price of the appropriate single fare for your intended journey on that train.

However, if it is paid within 21 days, the Penalty Fare is reduced to £50 plus the price of the single fare.

Penalty fares can be issued by authorised railway staff. These include:

• revenue protection officers (ticket inspectors)
• station platform staff

You may be given a penalty fare if you don't have a valid ticket (or permit to travel) for your journey.

If you travel on a train without a valid ticket, you will be have to pay the full single fare or full return fare or, if appropriate, a penalty fare for your journey.

Penalty fares can be issued, for example, if you:

• travel without a valid ticket
• can't produce an appropriate railcard on a discounted ticket
• travel in first class with a standard ticket
• travel on a child rate ticket when you are aged 16 or over
• travel past the destination on your ticket
• If you have not activated a day pass for your Flexi Season ticket before boarding the train

Find out more about penalty fares

If you lose or forget your season ticket/photocard you must buy a replacement ticket for your journey . Keep the tickets because you can claim a full refund at the ticket office where you purchased your season ticket.

Only two refund applications will be considered in a 12 month period and you may be charged an administration fee.

If you find that you don’t have your season ticket once you're on the train, you’ll be asked to give your details and to pay the standard single fare for your journey (which will be refunded on production of your valid season ticket). If you have no money then you will be given a 'nil paid' penalty fare.

You must then send a copy of your valid season ticket to the address shown on the penalty fare. If you don't do this within 21 days you will be asked to pay the full amount for the journey undertaken.

Please note this does not apply to Flexi Season tickets.

Yes, you must have a valid ticket or permit to travel before you start your journey.

Most stations have ticket vending machines, but if one isn't available you should buy a permit to travel from the permits machine.

You can check ticket office opening hours in our station information .

Don't forget, you can also buy tickets online or via our app before you travel.

You have 21 days to pay by;

• Sending a cheque or postal order to the payment address on the notice (with the notice included). Please do not send cash through the post.
• Paying online at payments.gtrailway.com
• Via Phone on 0330 095 9327 (Monday to Friday 10:00 – 16:30)

Yes. You can appeal against a penalty fare in writing or online within 21 days  starting the day after the issue date.

Written appeals should be sent to the address shown on the notice you were given.

You can also make your appeal online at www.penaltyservices.co.uk

Penalty Services is an independent organisation. They will consider your appeal based on the facts of the case and rule on whether to uphold or cancel the penalty fare.

Please call our penalty fare payment line on 0330 095 9327 (Monday to Friday 10:00 – 16:30) , they should be able to help you get the penalty fare number giving you ability to appeal (you can make your appeal online at www.penaltyservices.co.uk ) or pay the penalty fare, as long as it is submitted within 21 days of issue.

Please note this is payment line only and they cannot accept calls in relation to any appeals or mitigation.

Frequently asked questions – Prosecutions

We are a very busy team and it can be a little while before we receive the inspector's reports and process them. If you are concerned you may have missed some correspondence, for example if you have moved address, you can e-mail the Prosecutions Team at [email protected] with the details you gave the inspector at the time and the date you made the journey, and we can look into this further for you.

It is vitally important that you inform us of any address changes, as it is likely we will be sending letters to you via the address given the revenue member of staff at the time, if correspondence is not replied to, this may mean that court action to recover any outstanding fare is taken.

PLEASE NOTE – This mailbox is only used to inform us of a new correspondence address or sending through evidence of a valid ticket or railcard at the time the journey was undertaken, this email address cannot be used to make any appeal or mitigation, any emails sent in this vein will be ignored and deleted.

Any ticket or railcard purchased after commencement of the rail journey will be wholly disregarded as this would not have been valid at the time of inspection.

If you were given a Penalty Fare (Only courts can issues fines) you will have been given a copy of the Penalty Fare Notice at the time with a prefix starting “GTREPF” or “GTRPF”, and this contains all the information you need to pay and appeal.

Here is the payment website: payments.gtrailway.com

Your copy Railcard/Season Ticket will be matched with the inspector's report and if everything is in order you will not hear from us, we will only contact passengers when there is an issue between what has been reported and what we have received.

You can submit your railcard here .

We DO NOT issue “Fines”. The Inspector may have spoken to you about a Penalty Fare at the time, but if you did not have the means to pay towards this, or refused to do so, the inspector has no option but to make a report of the incident and pass it to the Prosecutions Team to deal with, Alternatively it is at the inspectors discretion how to deal with matters at the time they speak to a passenger, and they may have decided to report the matter instead of offering to sell you a ticket, or offer a penalty fare.

Once the matter is reported to us we will be in contact via the postal details provided by you at the time. We suggest you reply to the letter and send your explanation, mitigation, and any relevant documentation to the Prosecutions Team.

The Inspector may have spoken to you about a Penalty Fare at the time, but if you did not have the means to pay towards this, or refused to do so, the inspector has no option but to make a report of the incident and pass it to the Prosecutions Team to deal with.

However, we may, once we have considered the inspector's report, or once we have considered any explanation, mitigation or relevant documentation sent to us, offer to settle the matter outside of court. The settlement figure is made up of the outstanding fare and a contribution towards the Prosecution Teams administration costs.

Payment can be made online via our website: payments.gtrailway.com or via card over the phone on 02045669166.

The ticket will be retained by the prosecutions teams as part of the case file. If you require a duplicate ticket, this needs to be applied for at your local ticket office or if purchased online via the online provider who issued the ticket.

If you have purchased tickets to cover your journey before you have received a duplicate ticket, you may be able to claim a refund on those tickets, provided you have retained the tickets purchased.

If you are reported for an offence(s) under the railway byelaws these are classed as matters of strict liability.

This means that there is no mention of intent to avoid the fare or committing the offence.

All that prosecution need to do is prove that the offence has been committed. Additionally, buying the correct ticket or supporting document after the offence was committed will not be accepted by the prosecution.

If your query is relating to an “Intention to Prosecute letter” we would ask that this is completed and returned to us for consideration.

All matters of appeal should be made in writing to:

Prosecutions Department Eastside Offices King’s Cross Railway Station LONDON N1C 4AX

If your query is regarding anything else please contact us via email [email protected] – This mailbox cannot be used to appeal, you will be written to in due course and the response should be made out to the address above. Any appeal sent to the above address will be disregarded and deleted.

Read the fine print

Here we share our revenue protection policies so that you can be sure we deal with everyone fairly and consistently

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Traveling by train is a convenient and scenic way to explore the awe-inspiring landscapes of Switzerland. But what happens when you find yourself without a ticket on one of these Swiss trains? The “without ticket fine in Swiss trains” is not something to take lightly. In this blog post, we break down the steep penalties, long-lasting repercussions, and legal consequences of fare dodging in Switzerland. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, understanding the severe penalties for not carrying a valid ticket is crucial for avoiding unnecessary hassles and fines.

Key Takeaways

• Fare dodging is illegal and can incur hefty fines.
• Fines are consistent across the country on Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) but vary by city for regional transport.
• Repeat offenses result in higher fines.
• Your name will be placed in a national register for two years if caught.
• Being in the offender database could potentially affect your chances of getting Swiss citizenship.

Table of Contents

The consequences of fare dodging, what happens if you get caught, fare dodger fees on regional transport, why you should never travel without a ticket.

Being a fare dodger in Switzerland—whether you are on a Swiss train or using another mode of public transport—is considered a criminal offense. Contrary to what some might hope, train inspectors are highly unlikely to overlook a missing ticket regardless of your excuses.

If you’re wondering what the “without ticket fine in Swiss trains” is, you’re in for an eye-opener. Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) has a clearly defined penalty system. According to SBB’s official site , being caught without a valid ticket will cost you 90 Swiss francs in addition to the price of the ticket for the first offense. For the second and third offenses, the surcharges rise to 130 and 160 francs, respectively.

Since 2019, names of fare dodgers are added to a national register for two years. This information is shared among all transport operators in Switzerland, making repeat offenses more costly.

Switzerland has about 120 different transport companies, and each has its own set of fines for fare evasion. For example, in Zurich, the first offense will cost you 100 francs in addition to the ticket price, with fines rising to 140 and 220 francs for subsequent offenses. Similar scaling fines exist in other cities like Geneva, Basel, and Bern.

Beyond the legal requirement, fare dodging causes substantial losses for public transport, resulting in higher ticket prices for everyone. Moreover, being on the national offender database could potentially affect your chances of obtaining Swiss citizenship, as it signals a lack of respect for public safety and order.

Q: Does being a fare dodger affect my chances of getting Swiss citizenship?

A: There’s no specific data, but knowingly breaking the law could negatively impact your naturalization process as “respect for public safety, security, and order” is a key condition for becoming a Swiss citizen.

Q: How long will my name stay in the national offender database?

A: Your name will be in the national database for two years.

Q: Do regional and national transport operators share fare evasion data?

A: Yes, all the operators share this data. If you’re caught on different systems, it’s counted as a repeat offense.

The “without ticket fine in Swiss trains” serves as a stringent reminder that ignorance is not bliss when it comes to public transportation in Switzerland. The penalties for fare evasion are not just immediate financial burdens but can also have long-lasting effects, potentially impacting your legal record and even your chances of gaining Swiss citizenship. It’s not merely about following the law; it’s about contributing responsibly to a public service system that benefits everyone. So, the next time you consider riding without a ticket, think twice. The cost of not doing so could be much higher than just the ticket price.

#SwissTrains #FareDodging #PublicTransport #TravelSmart

Read More: Zurich Card – Essential Guide for Savvy Travellers

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Understanding the Cost of International Schools in Zurich, Switzerland

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Can I challenge a fine after I bought the wrong rail ticket?

A reader was unable to explain their mistake as there was no guard due to coronavirus restrictions

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I was in Suffolk for a weekend in March, just before the lockdown, and I needed to buy a rail ticket to get home to London, which I did online via Trainline. I bought a return for outward travel on the Monday morning for £15.50 with a 26–30 railcard – in the (wildly optimistic) expectation that I might be returning again within the month. But I didn’t realise I had got the two legs of the journey mixed up, so what I thought was my outward bound ticket on that day was actually the return portion. I had hoped to explain to a member of staff on the train that I made a mistake, but no one came round to check (apparently due to the coronavirus restrictions). By the time I arrived at Liverpool Street station my phone had died and I couldn’t present a valid ticket to the staff on the gate.

I explained I had accidentally bought the wrong ticket, but to my surprise the Greater Anglia/Abellio staff member handed me a penalty fare , with a potential charge of £96.40. I couldn’t get through on the phone to appeal, leaving me unable to explain that I made a genuine mistake.

EA , London

Passenger numbers on UK trains slumped in the run-up to the lockdown and have taken a further tailspin since – now down to 5% of normal journeys, with users restricted to key workers only. But you took this trip just before the tougher restrictions came in, and before rail operators cut back their timetables. Clearly these are unusual times, but your experience reflects the importance of making sure you have a valid ticket and are able to show a digital one.

Train guards who usually check tickets on board are able to exert discretion when assessing whether a passenger without a valid ticket has made a genuine mistake or is trying to commit fraud. However, you were only checked at the station and because your phone ran out of charge, you were not able to show anything. In the end Greater Anglia waived your penalty notice, which we think was generous.

Greater Anglia says: “Our customer service team was able to help EA, and we are pleased he was satisfied with the outcome. All passengers travelling with us should always have the correct ticket – and if it’s on a mobile, their phone should have enough charge to show it.

“Anyone unsure about whether they have the right ticket can speak to station staff, or press the help button on our ticket machines. During the coronavirus outbreak, on those trains with conductors, they are still available to help, but located in the cab at the rear of the train. We would remind people that at the moment only essential key workers should be travelling on our trains.”

We welcome letters but cannot answer individually. Email us at [email protected] or write to Consumer Champions, Money, the Guardian, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Please include a daytime phone number. Submission and publication of all letters is subject to terms and conditions

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IRCTC: Here’s How You Can Travel On Someone Else’s Ticket In Trains!

Booking a ticket for your travel on Indian Railways is not as easy as it sounds, especially during festivals and the wedding season. Many times, people book their tickets months in advance and are still not allotted confirmed seats. It is annoying to see your name on the waiting list even after booking tickets well in advance. Taking this matter into consideration, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has come up with a new rule where you can travel on someone else’s ticket.

IRCTC Introduces a New Rule

IRCTC has now come up with this new rule that says you can easily travel on someone else’s ticket. And it is allowed. You can travel to your desired destination even after your tickets are not confirmed. The rule is that you can travel on someone else’s ticket if he is a family member.

A person can transfer his ticket to another person’s name, like his father, brother, sister, mother, husband, wife, son, or daughter. All you have to do is send a request 24 hours before the departure of the train. Once the request is accepted, IRCTC will replace the name of the person with the desired family member’s name. 

Also Read:  Play In The Snow! IRCTC Has Launched Pocket-Friendly 7D/6N Sonmarg Package Starting At ₹20,030

Get Confirmed Tickets Through Vikalp Scheme

Another way to get confirmed tickets is through the Vikalp scheme. In English, ‘vikalp’ means option. This scheme is very useful, especially during the festive season. Every time you book a ticket on the IRCTC website , it asks you about your interest in the Vikalp scheme.

Under the Vikalp scheme, if your tickets do not get confirmed, you are allotted confirmed seats on another alternate train. This scheme was implemented in 2015 in order to increase the number of people who have confirmed seats.

Also Read:  Jai Siya Ram! IRCTC Launches 17-Day Sri Ramayana Yatra Costing ₹69,000 Per Person

Make sure to use these options and schemes and get confirmed tickets.

News Source: Discount Walas

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Fine is fare and fare is fine

I always keep Rs 500 with me for paying the penalty for travelling without ticket

Earlier, when I used to take a train, it took me around a one-and-a-half-hour daily to travel from Ambernath to Mahim, but now the one-way travel time has gone up by an hour, which means I end up spending five hours on travel ­

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• Surge in ticketless travel in first 9 months of 2021-22; railways nabs 1.78 cr passengers

In response to an RTI query, it was also revealed that during April-December 2021, more than 1.78 crore passengers were detected travelling without ticket/with improper ticket and unbooked luggage. An amount of INR 1,017.48 crore was realised from them as fine. As for the 2019-2020 fiscal, which was not impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, 1.10 crore people were caught travelling ticketless and a total fine of INR 561.73 crore was recovered from them.

• Published On Feb 21, 2022 at 08:00 AM IST

Railways to prepare DPRs for 7 more high-speed rail corridors

While Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) are being prepared for these new seven high-speed corridors, the Railway Minister said that this need not be construed as any permission for these projects.

Railways to levy fee for boarding, alighting at redeveloped stations; suburban train passengers exempted

Officials said the fee, ranging from INR 10 to INR 50 depending on the class of travel, is likely to be added to the train tickets during booking. The fee will be levied only after such stations become operational.

• Updated On Feb 21, 2022 at 08:00 AM IST

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