Operation
Penalty fares are typically issued by Revenue Protection Inspectors either on the trains or by staff at the destination station, some of whom receive commission on each penalty issued. Passengers unable to pay the fare on the spot are allowed to pay within 21 days provided they supply their name and address.
Passengers who were unable to purchase a ticket due to faulty ticket machines or closed ticket offices are not charged penalty fares.
Travellers issued with penalty fares which they believe to be unfair may appeal the fare within 21 days to an appeal service, which varies depending on the mode of transport. For National Rail services this is the Independent Penalty Fares Appeal Service which is run by Southeastern Trains Ltd. Passenger Focus have questioned whether an appeals body funded by a train company can be truly independent.
Read more about this topic: Penalty Fare
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