‘We were fined £50 each over £3 extra train fare’

Following the BBC’s reporting of this story passengers who had not been prosecuted but had received penalty fares got in touch.

Many we spoke to said they had mistakenly believed they could buy tickets on board a train.

In the UK, you must have a valid ticket to travel on a train, unless you are in an area that is not designated as a compulsory ticket area.

A penalty fare is charged if you do not comply with ticket purchasing rules and the maximum is £1,000.

The penalty is £100 plus the price of the full single fare applicable for your intended journey.

However, if it is paid within 21 days, the penalty is reduced to £50 plus the price of the single fare applicable.

A fine for rail ticket evasion can arise if the penalty fare is not paid and court proceedings follow.

Holly, 29, was among those who told the BBC she thought she could buy a ticket on board a train.

“I found the guard and said: ‘Can I buy a ticket, please?’ And he said: ‘No you can’t, you’re fare dodging.’ I was a bit shocked,” she said.

After Holly unsuccessfully tried to appeal her penalty fare, she was sent a magistrates court summons.

“Eventually, I got through to the train company’s phone line and paid £55,” she said.