Train ticket enforcement must be fair and proportionate, watchdog warns

ORR criticises inconsistent outcomes' across Britain's network with some passengers punished for honest errors

Some train operators have excessively prosecuted alleged fare dodgers, according to the rail regulator, which has called for clearer tickets and a fairer system to avoid penalising mistakes.

A report by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said passengers who boarded trains without a valid ticket faced inconsistent treatment and outcomes" across the network, with disproportionate action" sometimes taken over small errors.