Fines for people without a train ticket at Hebden Bridge station to be introduced

The latest phase of the campaign is to introduce the nationally-recognised Penalty Fares system on a number of additional routes in Yorkshire, including the route from York to Manchester Victoria via Hebden Bridge.

By the end of May, customers travelling without a ticket on a Northern train on a number of select routes, could face a Penalty Fare of £20.

Read: Honour for woman who talked down young mum from Scammonden Bridge

Paul Barnfield, Regional Director for Northern, said: “The Penalty Fares are a natural extension of the Buy Before You Board Campaign we launched in 2016 and follow a successful trial on the Airedale and Wharfedale lines earlier this year.

"Sadly there is still a minority who believe they have a right to travel without buying a ticket. Their actions reduce the overall income of the rail industry and, as a result, reduces the money available to invest in further improvements to the railway.

“Everyone who travels by train should have a valid ticket or pass.

“Or must be able to demonstrate they have made every effort to buy a ticket before they boarded.

“If they are unable to do either of these then, from the end of May, our authorised collectors will be on hand at stations along the routes to either issue £20 fines or ask customers to pay double the cost of a single ticket to their destination, whichever is higher.”

Investment is being made in introducing new ticket machines to make it easier for people to buy tickets.

Read: IN PICTURES: Pace Egg Play tradition is alive in Calder Valley

Paul added: “We have invested in new state-of-the-art ticket machines across our network to help customers purchase tickets. These machines will soon offer a full range of fares – including discounts.

“With online and mobile ticketing, as well as ticket offices at our staffed stations, there is really no reason for anyone to board a train without a valid ticket.

“For customers who want to pay by cash, our ticket machines will issue Promise to Pay notices which can be exchanged (along with a cash payment) for a ticket when on board the service or at the next available ticket office.”