Penalty fares and how to pay them

If you don't touch in and out correctly using contactless (card or device) or an Oyster card, or you don't have a valid ticket, you may be charged a penalty fare.

Your ticket must cover your entire journey and all zones you travel in. If you're using pay as you go, you must have enough credit to pay for your entire journey. If you're using a mobile device, it must have enough battery to last your journey.

Yellow card reader followed by a pound sign and full battery icon, then a yellow card reader at the end

How much is a penalty fare?

It's £100. This is reduced to £50 if you pay within 21 days.

Fare evasion

Fare evasion is a criminal offence and you may be prosecuted.

We have more Revenue Inspectors across our transport services working to reduce fare evasion.

How to pay or appeal a penalty fare

Bus, Tube, DLR, London Overground and Elizabeth line

Pay

Pay online to the Independent Revenue Collection and Support (IRCAS).

Pay by phone:

Call charges may apply, plus your network access charge(s).

Pay by post:

IRCAS
Regus Building 1000 Lakeside
Western Road
Portsmouth
PO6 3EZ

Appeal

Appeal online within 21 days to the Appeal Service (AS).

Appeal by post:

AS
Regus Building 1000 Lakeside
Western Road
Portsmouth
PO6 3EZ

Appeal by fax: 0844 544 8454

You need to include this information with your appeal:

  • Journey start time and station
  • Daytime telephone number or email address
  • Statement explaining why you couldn't produce a valid ticket for your journey

If your appeal is successful, you won't have to pay a penalty fare.

If your appeal is unsuccessful, you'll be notified and advised what to do next.

Tram

Pay

Pay by phone: 020 8681 8300

Pay by post or in person:

Tram Operations Ltd
Penalty Fare Administration
The Tramlink Shop
5 Suffolk House
George Street
Croydon CR0 1PE

Appeal

Appeal by post, by writing to the above Tram Operations Ltd address within 21 days.

You need to include information with your appeal:

  • Journey start time and station
  • Daytime telephone number or email address
  • Statement explaining why you couldn't produce a valid ticket for your journey

If your appeal is successful, you won't have to pay a penalty fare.

If your appeal is unsuccessful, you'll be notified and advised what to do next.