What is an Unpaid Fare Notice?
An Unpaid Fare Notice (UFN) is issued to anyone travelling without a valid ticket and unable to pay at the time. To avoid an Unpaid Fare Notice, we encourage you to purchase your travel tickets before embarking on your journey. In response to feedback, you can be assured that we are making every effort to eliminate fare evasion throughout our services. Fare evasion costs the rail industry £200 million a year, so it is important to have an effective Revenue Recovery scheme in place.
If you are unable to produce a valid ticket, you will be requested to purchase a ticket at the full Standard or First Class single rate.
If you do not make the payment immediately, an authorised member of staff (Guard, Revenue Protection, Rail enforcement Officer, Station Platform staff) will ask you for your name and address, to give you the opportunity to pay the excess fare within ten days of the notice being issued. Failure to provide your address, or giving a false name and address, is a criminal offence and may lead to prosecution.
Why is an Unpaid Fare Notice issued?
Reducing the number of people who travel without a ticket is not only in our interest, but also in the interest of our fare-paying passengers. Even if only a small percentage of our passengers travel without paying, the rail network lose a considerable amount of revenue resulting in less money available to invest in a better rail service.
Before you travel you must have a valid ticket or a permit to travel which is valid for the service you intend to use and for the journey you intend to make. Proof of purchase is not acceptable.
If I am issued an Unpaid Fare Notice, do I need to pay immediately?
When issued with an Unpaid Fare Notice you have ten days from the date issued to make the full payment to Revenue Protection Support Services (RPSS). Contact details found on the notice.
If you wish to appeal against the Unpaid Fare Notice, you should also do this within ten days of receiving the unpaid fare notice. To appeal against your Unpaid Fare Notice you must do so in writing and send this to:
Revenue Protection Support Services (RPSS), PO Box 89, Portsmouth. PO1 1EG
This appeals service is independent of East Coast Main Line Company Ltd (East Coast) and will consider your appeal based on the facts of the case.
Please note that appealing does not negate your liability to pay the amount owing within ten days. If you fail to do this you will incur non refundable administration fees.
How can I pay for my Unpaid Fare Notice?
By Cheque or Postal Order made payable to Revenue Protection Support Services (RPSS), with your Unpaid Fare Notice reference No. endorsed on the reverse and posted to:
Revenue Protection Support Services (RPSS), PO Box 89, Portsmouth. PO1 1EG.
Please allow enough time for the payment to reach RPSS within ten days. If not received by RPSS within the 10 day deadline, you may accrue a non refundable administration fee.
Credit/Debit card - Telephone 0871 559 2997 within the 10 day deadline or you may accrue non refundable administration fees. Please note RPSS do not accept American Express or Diners Card.
What do I do if my appeal with Revenue Protection Support Services (RPSS) is not successful?
If your appeal is unsuccessful and you wish to appeal further, please contact Passenger Focus, an independent ombudsman, who will liaise directly with the Debt Recovery and Prosecutions Unit for East Coast Main Line Company Ltd.
RTEH-XAGE-BYKZ
Passenger Focus
PO Box 5594
Southend on Sea
SS1 9PZ
Tel: 0300 123 2350
Email: advice@passengerfocus.org.uk
What do I do if my appeal with Passenger Focus is not successful?
Unfortunately, if your appeal is unsuccessful with the ombudsman, East Coast Main Line Company have reviewed your case and made a final decision. If you are still unhappy with the decision, you may wish to seek legal advice.
