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).

 

[mjr]

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

This is similar on most English trains, but most of the operating companies will settle before court for minor and even some repeat offences if the offender begs enough and pays for full walk-up single anytime fares plus hundreds of admin costs. TfL seem to do that rarely. If they report you for court, you're probably going to court.

So the Scot Rail ten quid penalty looks still generous from here.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Train travel, a symptom of our times:

Perhaps you might tell us, all the more so since you don't live in Scotland, whether you think this is a reasonable policy.
I suggest the "specifics of the need for the introduction was" to provide a clear and consistent approach for all customers, rather than the AS bit <insert 'but I only came from Clydebank'!>
Just saying "a symptom of our times" (in what way a "symptom" anyway) is flocculent.
And why in 'Touring and Adventure Cycling'?
What is the policy on not buying a ticket (when you could've) in your home region/country?
I agree with @mjr on the £10 tariff being on the low side.