Scot Rail

[blackrat]

Train travel, a symptom of our times:
This today:

Hello,​

We’re writing to let you know about an upcoming change to rules for travelling on ScotRail services. We’re introducing a new £10 minimum fare for journeys where a ticket hasn’t been purchased before boarding, but could have been. The minimum fare is intended to provide a clear and consistent approach for all customers and help reduce anti-social behaviour on the railway, which is often caused by a small minority travelling without a ticket. We’ve now begun an education period to give customers time to become familiar with the change. From 1 July 2026, the £10 minimum fare will be put in place. There are some exclusions where the minimum fare will not apply, including: If your station has no ticket office, or it is closed and there is no ticket vending machine (TVM) If you hold a National Entitlement Card If accessibility requirements mean you cannot access the ticket office or use a TVM Customers who can only pay in cash and can’t access a ticket office must obtain a ‘promise to pay’ ticket from a TVM and then purchase a ticket from on-train staff.​

 

[Dogtrousers]

"We’re introducing a new £10 minimum fare for journeys where a ticket hasn’t been purchased before boarding, but could have been."

Isn't that just called fare dodging?

Revenue Protection in London will hit you with a £100 penalty fare plus the cost of the ticket that you dodged paying for. If they are feeling generous. If they aren't then it's off to court with you. https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/penalty-fares-and-how-to-pay-them

I had to pay a penalty fare once, ages ago (before it went up to £100). I had a monthly travelcard (paper ticket - ye olde days) that had expired and I hadn't noticed. Fair cop. I think it was only £20 or something like that.

 

[blackrat]

"We’re introducing a new £10 minimum fare for journeys where a ticket hasn’t been purchased before boarding, but could have been."

Isn't that just called fare dodging?

Revenue Protection in London will hit you with a £100 penalty fare plus the cost of the ticket that you dodged paying for. If they are feeling generous. If they aren't then it's off to court with you. https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/penalty-fares-and-how-to-pay-them

The specifics of the need for the introduction was this:
"..help reduce anti-social behaviour on the railway, which is often caused by a small minority travelling without a ticket."

 

[Dogtrousers]

The specifics of the need for the introduction was this:
"..help reduce anti-social behaviour on the railway, which is often caused by a small minority travelling without a ticket."

I think they're just a bit slow on the uptake protecting their revenue streams.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Scrote rail

 

[blackrat]

Scot Rail have always been very helpful for me.

 

[Brandane]

Sounds fair enough to me, as a regular user of Scotrail trains. Especially since I am exempt (from the £10 fine being talked about), being the holder of a National Entitlement Card (aka, a bus pass). Presumably this is because you can only use your NEC to buy a ticket from an actual person (so ticket office or train conductor) and NOT a vending machine or online. This is because your NEC needs to be seen and checked.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Sounds fair enough to me, as a regular user of Scotrail trains. Especially since I am exempt, being the holder of a National Entitlement Card (aka, a bus pass).

I don't use trains, well, I haven't for ages, since before I got my NEC.
My friend who does use the trains says she only gets a discount with her NEC, not a full free fare?
In Scotland, say Glasgow to Millport, because I'm aware she uses the train sometimes for this journey.

 

[Brandane]

My friend who does use the trains says she only gets a discount with her NEC, not a full free fare?

Discounts depend on which council area you live in, what age you are, and whether or not you have a disability. Mine is a North Ayrshire NEC card - I think it is a 40% discount on train travel but only applies within the SPT (Strathclyde Passenger Transport) area. Bus travel throughout Scotland though, is free.
I also have a Senior rail card (£30 per year) for travelling further afield. One trip down to that there Ingerlund and it has paid for itself (again 40% discount on fares IIRC).