We run a Penalty Fares Scheme on First Capital Connect routes. You must buy a valid train ticket (or Permit to Travel) for the whole journey you are making before you get on a train at any rail station served by First Capital Connect.
If you do not have a valid ticket or Permit to Travel, you may have to pay a Penalty Fare of £20 or twice the full single fare to the next stop, whichever is the greater, plus the full single fare to complete your journey. Penalty Fares do not apply from Crews Hill station.
First Capital Connect has been authorised to charge Penalty Fares by the Strategic Rail Authority in line with the Railways Act 1993 (as amended by the Transport Act 2000, the Penalty Fares Regulations 1994 and the Penalty Fares Rules 2002). The aim of the Penalty Fares Scheme is to reduce the number of passengers who travel without train tickets.
Why is a Penalty Fare Scheme necessary?
Penalty Fares are in place to encourage passengers to buy their train tickets before travelling. Even if only a small percentage of passengers travel without paying, substantial sums of money are put at risk. Reducing the number of passengers who do not pay is not only in the interest of First Capital Connect, but also for our fare paying passengers.
What methods of payment can I use to pay a Penalty Fare?
You can use cash, a cheque (supported by a cheque guarantee card), Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, Switch or Delta. However, we do not accept Solo or Electron cards.
If I do not buy a train ticket before travelling, is it an automatic Penalty Fare?
You are responsible for ensuring that you buy a train ticket that is valid for your entire journey before travelling, otherwise you may have to pay a Penalty Fare.
If there is a queue at the ticket office can I board the train without a valid ticket?
No. It is your responsibility to allow yourself sufficient time to buy a ticket before travelling. Automatic self-service ticket machines are provided at all stations as an additional method of buying a train ticket. Tickets can also be bought in advance of travel from ticket offices or online.
Can I pay at my destination if I am in a rush?
No. If you board a train without a valid ticket, then you may have to pay a Penalty Fare.
What if the ticket office is closed, or the station does not have a ticket office and the automatic self-service ticket machines are out of order?
At most locations there is more than one self-service ticket machine and these are regularly maintained so it would be unusual for there to be no self-service ticket machines available for you to use.
At stations where there is only one self-service ticket machine there is a further automatic machine called a Permit to Travel machine. This is normally located near the station entrance / exit or beside other self-service machines. You should insert the maximum number of coins you have with you into the Permit to Travel machine, up to the value of your journey. Press the button and you will be issued with a Permit to Travel.
This permit must be exchanged for a valid train ticket at your first opportunity, be that on the train or at your destination and in any case within two hours. You will be given credit for the amount you paid for the permit when you exchange it for a valid ticket. If the ticket office is closed or not available and the self-service ticket machines or the Permit to Travel machine is not working then you will not be charged a Penalty Fare.
What if I want to buy a Season Ticket and the ticket office is closed?
Provided that you have a photocard, you can buy a Weekly Season Ticket from the automatic self-service ticket machines. However, if you wish to buy a monthly or longer Season Ticket, you should buy a single ticket for your destination or a Permit to Travel and then buy your Season Ticket at your destination. The cost of your single ticket or Permit to Travel will be deducted from the cost of your Season Ticket.
What should I do if I have forgotten my Season Ticket and / or photocard?
There are times when customers do leave their season tickets at home, at FCC we understand the frustration this can cause.
When you arrive at the station you should (before boarding a train) purchase a ticket for the journey you are undertaking. Keep the tickets because you can claim a full refund on production of your valid season ticket, at the ticket office where you purchased your season ticket.
Note: Only two such refund applications will be considered in a 12 month period and you may be charged an administration fee.
What if I discover that I have forgotten my Season Ticket and / or photocard once I have boarded the train?
If you board a train without a valid ticket and are approached by one of our Revenue Protection Inspectors you will be asked to provide your personal details i.e. name, address etc - which will be verified with a quick telephone call.
You will then be asked to either 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 it will be 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 fail to do this within 21 days of receipt of the penalty fare you will be asked to pay the full amount (which will be twice the standard day single or £20, whichever is the greater) for the journey undertaken.
What if I have bought a discounted ticket with a Railcard, but cannot produce the Railcard on the actual journey?
You are liable to pay a Penalty Fare, as the discounted ticket is only valid on production of the Railcard.
What happens if I travel beyond my normal destination?
It is your responsibility to buy any additional train tickets required to make your original ticket valid for your entire journey before travelling; otherwise you may have to pay a Penalty Fare.
If I have a Standard Class ticket, but sit in First Class, as the train is busy, will I receive a Penalty Fare?
As your ticket is not valid in First Class accommodation you may have to pay a Penalty Fare of £20 or twice the First Class Single fare to the next stop (whichever is the greater), plus a First Class Single from there to your destination.
However, depending on the circumstances, you may be liable to prosecution instead. If you wish to travel in First Class, then you must buy a valid First Class ticket or an upgrade before travelling.
Who can issue a Penalty Fare?
Any member of staff who has been trained as an Authorised Collector and is carrying an Authorised Collector's ID badge can charge Penalty Fares.
What if I am unable to pay the full amount of the Penalty Fare on the spot?
If you do not have the full amount, then you will be allowed to make a part payment. You are required by law to provide your full name and address at this time. You then have 21 days to pay the remaining amount of the Penalty Fare.
This can be done at any First Capital Connect ticket office or by sending a cheque or postal order to the payment address on the Penalty Fare Notice.
Please include the Penalty Fare Notice with your payment and do not send cash through the post. Failure to provide an Authorised Collector, when asked to do so, with your current name and address, or give a false name and address, is a criminal offence and will lead to prosecution.
Is there a right of appeal against a Penalty Fare?
If you wish to appeal against a Penalty Fare you must put this in writing within 21 days of the issue date and send it to the appeals address shown on the Penalty Fare Notice. The appeals service is independent of the train operating companies and will consider your appeal based on the facts of the case.
Further information
For further information about Penalty Fares on First Capital Connect Limited please contact us via the feedback form.
The above information is intended as a guide only and should not be regarded as a complete or authoritative statement of the law or regulations. Other train operators may have their own Penalty Fares scheme; the above information only covers the stations served by First Capital Connect.