Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on ticketless travel of the proposed closures of ticket offices in train stations.

The Department for Transport works closely with train operators to ensure that robust strategies are in place to prevent ticketless travel. Revenue protection is the responsibility of the train operating companies, and we expect them to rigorously undertake ticket checks at gate lines and on trains, including issuing penalty fares and prosecuting fare evaders where appropriate.

When proposing major changes to ticket office opening hours, including closures, we would expect operators to continue to ensure they have in place a robust revenue protection strategy.

Rail passengers must buy their tickets before they start their journey wherever there are facilities such as a self-service ticket machine that enable them to do so.

In response to concerns from railway staff that the value of the Penalty Fare was not enough of a sufficient deterrent, on 23 January 2023, the Penalty Fare was increased to £100 plus the price of the single fare to the intended destination on that train.