1 The National Rail Conditions of Travel define the ‘Agreement’ that comes into
effect between you and the Train Companies that provide scheduled rail services
on the National Rail Network, when you purchase a rail Ticket.
This summary provides a quick overview of the key responsibilities of Train
Companies and passengers contained in these Conditions.
It is important, however, that you read the relevant sections of the Conditions
if you want a full understanding of the responsibilities of Train Companies and
passengers.
2 The key responsibilities of Train Companies (‘we’) are:
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• We will provide a range of ways in which you can buy a Ticket before your
journey and will ensure that you are treated fairly if you are unable to purchase a Ticket because advertised facilities are unavailable.
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The key responsibilities of passengers (‘you’) are:
• You must purchase, where possible, a valid Ticket before you board a train
service on the National Rail Network.
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B. Introduction
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4 When you are present in or using stations, train services and other facilities on
the National Rail Network, you are also subject to the Railway Byelaws. A copy of
these can be found at
www.gov.uk/government/publications/railway-byelaws or ask at a station Ticket office for details.
Please note that neither a Train Company’s staff nor a Licenced Retailer’s staff have the authority to waive or change these Conditions unless they are specifically allowed to within these Conditions.
C. Planning your journey and buying your Ticket
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6. You must have a valid Ticket to travel
6.1 We will ensure that you have a reasonable opportunity to purchase your Ticket
before you travel.
6.2 Tickets can be purchased at staffed Ticket offices or through self-service Ticket
machines at many stations, and can also be purchased from a range of Train
Companies and other Licenced Retailers online and by telephone. You may also
purchase a Ticket through use of a smartcard or registered payment card in areas
where such schemes apply.
INFORMATION: ‘Ticket’ includes a validated contactless payment card where accepted. The ‘Tickets’ definition in Appendix B gives more information.
6.3 You must have in your possession a valid Ticket before you board a train unless
one of the following circumstances applies:
(a) At the station where you start your journey, there is no means of purchasing a
Ticket, either because there is no Ticket office open or self-service Ticket machine
in working order
and, where notices indicate that you are in a Penalty Fares area
you purchase a Permit to Travel if there is a working Permit to Travel issuing
machine at the station where you start your journey – see section 10 for more
information about Penalty Fares; or
(b) Where you are specifically permitted to board a train service by an authorised
member of staff or notice of the Train Company whose service you intend to
board; or
(c) You have a disability and Ticket purchasing arrangements at the station you are
departing from are not suitably accessible.
In these cases, you must, as soon as you are reasonably able, buy an appropriate Ticket to complete your journey. The price of the Ticket you purchase will be the same as if you had bought a Ticket at the station from which you first departed.
6.4 Children under five years of age may travel free of charge without a Ticket
providing that they are travelling with a passenger holding a valid Ticket or other
authority to travel.
6.5 Children aged between 5 years and 15 years must have a valid Ticket for travel
but are entitled to a “child” discount on most Tickets. If a discount is not
available, it will be made clear to you when you buy your Ticket.
6.6 Special arrangements apply for accompanied children aged under 11 in the
London pay as you go zonal fare area. For details please go to:
https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/travel-for-under-18s/travelling-with-children
INFORMATION: This means that you should buy a ticket from the conductor on the train if there is one available; at an interchange station provided there is sufficient time before your connecting service; or, if neither of these is possible, at your destination.
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9. Travelling without a valid Ticket
9.1 Travelling without a valid Ticket (which includes, where relevant, any supporting
documentation such as a Railcard), or being unable to present them when asked
is a serious matter.
If you believe that there are reasonable circumstances that led to you travelling
without a valid Ticket or being able to present one, then you should explain these
to the member of Train Company staff who has asked to inspect your Ticket.
INFORMATION: This applies, for example, for some types of self-print ticket which are only valid when carried with the appropriate ID stated at the time of booking.
9.2 If you are unable to present a valid Ticket when asked, we are permitted, in law,
to take one of the following measures:
a) To charge you a Penalty Fare on certain trains and stations (see section 10
below); or
b) To charge you the full undiscounted anytime single fare to a station directly
served by the train that you are on. You will not be entitled to any discounts
or special terms, or for a Ticket to a station other than one served by the train
that you are on; or
c) To report you for prosecution.
If you are unable to present a valid Ticket or to pay a fare (including a part
payment of a Penalty Fare to the value of the Ticket required) when requested,
you will be required to provide your name and address so that the matter can be
followed up.
10. Penalty Fares
10.1 Some Train Companies operate a Penalty Fares scheme. All such schemes
operate on the same basis, and are approved by the Department for
Transport. More information on Penalty Fare schemes and a list of the Train
Companies operating such schemes can be found at
www.nationalrail.co.uk/
tickets.
10.2 Train Companies are required to ensure that warning notices are clearly
displayed on trains and stations where such schemes operate. Within the
areas where such schemes operate, you may be charged a Penalty Fare if:
(a) You travel on a train service without a Ticket or Permit to Travel;
(b) You travel in first class accommodation with a standard class Ticket;
(c) You travel on a train service at a time when your Ticket is not valid;
(d) You travel with a Train Company for which your Ticket is not valid;
(e) You do not have the necessary supporting document(s), where required
(for example a valid Railcard or photocard).
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