Exclusive:Leeds train passenger clocked up over £800 in fines in three years - as fare dodging numbers revealed
Northern has recorded 31,943 penalty fare incidents in Leeds since January 2023
A train passenger in Leeds received over £800 in fines for fare dodging over a three year period - news figures have revealed.
New data, obtained by the Yorkshire Evening Post through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, has revealed that between January 2023 and March 2026, one passenger travelling on Northern trains in Leeds received penalty fares to the value of £872.25.
Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK and serve 12 stations within Leeds daily - Leeds, Cross Gates, Horsforth, Garforth, East Garforth, Burley Park, Headingley, Morley, Cottingley, Micklefield, Kirkstall Forge, and Woodlesford.
Over the same time period, Northern recorded 31,943 penalty fare incidents in Leeds, and the operator has pledged to continue cracking down on the issue.
“We remain focused on treating all of our customers fairly, which means we work to ensure everyone who boards our trains has a valid ticket,” a company spokesperson said.
“Around 97% of people who travel on our services do the right thing and buy a ticket. We have a responsibility to take action against those who don’t and cannot expect the taxpayers to foot that bill.”
The data also revealed that youngsters, aged 19-25, had the largest number of penalty fare notices issued by age group with 3,754, closely followed by 31-40 year olds and 12-18 year olds with 2,957 and 2,750 penalty notices issued respectively.
515 incidents of abusive language were reported by ticket inspectors during the three year period, 462 of those were during ticket inspection and revenue protection activities. Where physical assaults occur, these are reported to British Transport Police.
Fare evaders can be prosecuted prosecuted under the provisions of the Regulation of Railways Act 1889 and the Railway Byelaws made pursuant to the Transport Act 2000. In cases of ticket fraud, perpetrators are prosecuted under the Fraud Act 2006.