An independent review of rail fare prosecutions and enforcement has been ordered by the Government following claims of train operators taking disproportionate action.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh announced on Wednesday that regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) will analyse how suspected fare evasion is handled.
This will include an assessment of whether ticketing terms and conditions are clear for passengers, and when prosecution is appropriate.
Industry body the Rail Delivery Group has previously estimated that around £240 million is lost through fare evasion on Britain’s railways each year.
Ms Haigh said: “Make no mistake, deliberate fare-dodging has no place on our railways and must be tackled, but innocent people shouldn’t feel like a genuine mistake will land them in court.
“An independent review is the right course of action, and will help restore passengers’ confidence in the system.
“It is clear that ticketing is far too complicated, with a labyrinth of different fares and prices which can be confusing for passengers.
“That’s why we have committed to the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation, including simplifying fares to make travelling by train easier.”
ORR director of strategy, policy and reform Stephanie Tobyn said: “We welcome the opportunity to conduct this review.
“It is important passengers are treated fairly and dealt with consistently and proportionately when ticketing issues arise, whilst also balancing the legitimate revenue protection interests of operators and taxpayers.”
Ms Haigh is encouraging the ORR to draw upon advice from independent experts, including legal and industry specialists, as well as passenger representatives.
A number of recent cases of passengers being prosecuted over small amounts of money have been highlighted in the media.
Engineering graduate Sam Williamson said he feared getting a criminal record and being fined hundreds of pounds after being told he was being prosecuted by Government-owned operator Northern because he unknowingly used a railcard at the wrong time, resulting in a £1.90 underpayment.
Northern dropped its action against him following media coverage.
The Department for Transport instructed Northern to review its ticketing policy, which resulted in the operator withdrawing all similar live prosecutions and a pledge to analyse historical cases.
People who have made an innocent mistake should be treated with understanding and not immediately assumed to be guilty
Alex Robertson, Transport Focus
Alex Robertson, chief executive of watchdog Transport Focus, said: “We welcome the Secretary of State for Transport’s announcement of a review into improving revenue protection practices.
“We will be sharing with the review what passengers have told us about how confusing the current ticketing system is.
“People who have made an innocent mistake should be treated with understanding and not immediately assumed to be guilty.
“We also know fare evasion costs the railway hundreds of millions of pounds every year, money which could be better used to improve services for passengers.
“Positive action on revenue protection with a focus on ensuring penalties are given only to those who deserve them will help build trust and confidence in the railway.”