Train Penalty Fare Appeal — Penalty Fares Rules 2018
Train penalty fares are governed by the Penalty Fares Rules 2018 and the National Rail Conditions of Travel. They can only be lawfully issued in specific circumstances — and there is a two-stage appeal process with an independent final arbiter.
When Can a Penalty Fare Be Issued?
Under the Penalty Fares Rules 2018, a penalty fare can only be charged if: you are found travelling without a valid ticket; the station where you boarded had a working ticket machine or staffed ticket office; you had a reasonable opportunity to buy a ticket before boarding; and the operator has a properly authorised penalty fares scheme. All four conditions must be met — if any one is absent, the penalty fare is not valid.
Broken Ticket Machines — A Complete Defence
If the only ticket machine at your boarding station was out of order, and there was no other way to buy a ticket before boarding, you cannot lawfully be charged a penalty fare. Photograph the broken machine immediately if you can. Many operators will cancel the charge on appeal if you can demonstrate the machine was faulty — and even if you cannot, IPFAS consistently finds in passengers' favour on this ground when the operator cannot disprove it.
The Two-Stage Appeal Process
You have 21 days from receiving the penalty fare to appeal to the train operator. If rejected, you then have 21 days from the rejection to appeal to IPFAS (the Independent Penalty Fares Appeals Service). IPFAS is free, independent, and their findings are binding on the operator. Do not pay while an appeal is pending — paying is treated as acceptance.
Penalty Fare vs Prosecution
A penalty fare is a civil charge — separate from criminal prosecution for fare evasion under the Regulation of Railways Act 1889. If you are offered a penalty fare, accepting it and appealing is almost always preferable to risking prosecution. However, if you are being threatened with prosecution rather than a penalty fare, that is a different matter — and a separate process.
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Check My Train Fine →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IPFAS and how do I appeal to them?
The Independent Penalty Fares Appeals Service (IPFAS) is the independent appeals body for train penalty fares. After your initial appeal to the train operator is rejected, you have 21 days to appeal to IPFAS. IPFAS reviews whether the penalty fare was correctly issued under the Penalty Fares Rules 2018. Their decision is binding on the operator.
Can I appeal a penalty fare if ticket machines were broken?
Yes. Under the Penalty Fares Rules 2018, a penalty fare cannot be charged if there was no working ticket machine at the station where you boarded, no opportunity to buy a ticket before boarding, and you were travelling to a station where you could have bought one. Document the broken machine with a photograph and timestamp if possible.
What if I had a valid ticket but it wasn't accepted by the reader?
A penalty fare should not be issued if you hold a valid ticket for your journey. If your ticket was not accepted due to a reader fault or human error, appeal immediately. Retain evidence of the original ticket purchase (bank statement, email confirmation, screen screenshot). The burden of proof that you lacked a valid ticket is on the operator.