News Wales

Major change for rail passengers from now – with fines for ignoring new rule

September 9, 2024

Major Change in Effect for Rail Passengers, Fines Implemented for Disregarding New Rule

Transport for Wales has recently enforced a significant change impacting railway travelers in Wales. As of Monday, September 9, the penalty fare zone has been extended. This expansion means that passengers who travel without a ticket on routes where ticket purchase was previously available onboard will now face fines. The majority of trains in south Wales are affected by this change.

If passengers are found without a valid ticket or fail to tap in where pay as you go is available, they may receive a penalty fare. The fine will amount to either £20 or twice the full single fare for the journey, depending on which amount is greater. The possibility of this fine rising to £100 in the future has also been mentioned by TfW.

Key Points of the Change:

  • The penalty fare zone expansion now covers the entire South Wales Metro area
  • Routes to Treherbert, Aberdare, Merthyr, Coryton, Penarth, Rhmney, Barry, and Bridgend via the Vale of Glamorgan line, as well as the line to Ebbw Vale are included
  • A map of the South Wales Metro and details of the penalty fare expansion are available on the TfW website
  • The Marches line, running from south Wales to Manchester and Shrewsbury to Birmingham, will also implement penalty fares, set at £100, aligning with English train operators

Travelers commencing their journey from stations without ticket-purchasing facilities are exempt from penalty fares if they did not purchase a ticket beforehand, but they must buy one onboard. TfW stated that penalty fares are aimed at discouraging unfair behavior and that the majority of customers abide by fare regulations.

Stations affected by these changes include Cwmbach, Dinas Rhondda, Fairwater, Garth, Gilfach Fargoed, Fernhill, Ferryside, Pencoed, Penrhiwceiber, Pontlottyn Prees, Pyle, Sarn, Tir-phil, Troed-y-rhiw, Wildmill, Wrenbury, Ynyswen, Yorton, and Ystrad Rhondda.

Passengers should be mindful of the updated rules to avoid incurring penalty fares unnecessarily.