The penalty for fare evasion on the Tyne and Wear Metro will increase to £100 from January, the Government has confirmed.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said the penalty for rail fare evasion in England and Wales is to rise from £20 to £100 as of part a new effort to crackdown on ticketless travel on Britain’s railways.
Metro is part of the Government’s national penalty fare regime so it is included in the change, said operator, Nexus
From January 23 next year, anyone who without a valid Metro ticket will have to pay a £100 penalty fare, however, this is reduced to £50 if paid within 21 days.
Nexus said the higher penalty fare will ensure there is a more effective deterrent against ticketless travel.
Fare evasion on the Tyne and Wear Metro costs Nexus £1m a year in lost revenue.
Customer Services Director, Huw Lewis, said: “The Government is raising the penalty fare from £20 to £100, or £50 if paid within 21 days, and this change will automatically apply to Metro.
“Metro is part of the Government’s national penalty fare regime covering train companies across the whole country.
“This is the first change since 2005 and reflects feedback from customers who want to see a strong deterrent against fraud.
“The Government consulted the whole rail industry and Nexus was among those keen to see an increase, because customers tell us they want tougher penalties for those who decide not to pay their fare.
“The simple message for Metro customers is to pay your fare every time you travel.”
The DfT said: “Fare evasion costs train operators, rail passengers and taxpayers who ultimately subsidise the journeys of those who deliberately travel by train without paying the correct fare.
“The Rail Delivery Group estimates that in a normal year around £240 million is lost through fare evasion on Great Britain’s railways.
“When set against the profound impact coronavirus has had on passenger numbers and industry revenues, it’s never been more important to minimise the cost of fare evasion to the railways.”
The penalty for Metro fare evasion, which is set by the Government, has been at £20 since May 2005.
Under the current rules anyone who gets caught without a ticket is issued with a £20 penalty fare.
Anyone who fails to pay the penalty fare will be taken to court, where a conviction results in much steeper fines. Failure to pay the £100 PFN will result in prosecution through the courts and a criminal record.
Nexus has withdrawn the facility for customers to Metro penalty fares on the spot.
Card payments will instead be taken online at payments.nexus.org.uk or by over by calling Nexus’ 24 hour automated payment line on 0191 814 7699.
Customers can still pay Metro penalty fares in person at the reception at South Gosforth Metro Control Centre or by post Customer Relations, Metro Control Centre, Station Road, South Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 1YT. Cheque or Postal Orders made payable to 'Nexus', with the Penalty Fare Notice enclosed.