Penalty Fares

Penalty Fares

Merseyrail operates a Penalty Fares scheme across the whole network. Passengers must buy a ticket before they board the train as our on train staff do not issue tickets. All stations have facilities for passengers to buy a ticket. Most stations have a ticket office that is staffed from start to end of service, some have an easy to use ticket vending machine. 

Any passenger who is found travelling without a valid ticket for their entire journey is liable to be issued with a Penalty Fare of £20 by Merseyrail Ticket Inspectors plus the fare to the destination station if continuing their journey. Once a young person reaches the age of 16, they need to purchase an adult ticket when travelling with us. Reductions for children only apply to customers aged between 5 and 15 years of age.

Research shows that people who assault staff, create disorder and commit vandalism are also often fare evaders. Tackling fare evasion by enforcing Penalty Fares helps to address these problems.

If you are issued with a Penalty fare and you are not able to pay on the spot, payments can be made at any staffed Merseyrail station, by post to Merseyrail Electrics, PO Box 6576, Liverpool, L69 1XZ or by telephone on 0151 702 2345.

You do have a right to appeal a Penalty Fare; you can do this by writing within 21days of the issue date to The Independent Appeals Service, sent PO Box 89, Portsmouth, P01 1EG.