Rules on train ticket refunds are set to become stricter across the UK, as it has been revealed those dodging fares are costing the industry extortionate amounts.
The UK Government is updating the rules on claiming refunds for unused tickets.
Refunds are currently permitted for up to 28 days after the travel date – if the ticket is unused.
However, if a ticket does not undergo inspection or through a scanner during a journey, it is technically possible for the user to submit a reclaim after the journey – and pretend it was never used.
According to the rail industry, this type of fraud costs around £40 million a year.
But ticket terms and conditions have been changed so that from April 1, 2026, passengers will only be able to claim refunds for unused tickets ahead of travel.
Train ticket refund rules are set to change in the UK from next month
Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said: ‘Deliberate fare dodging has no place on our railways. It drains much needed revenue and undercuts the trust of passengers who play by the rules.
‘Changing refund rules will help stamp out fraud, keeping money in the railway – which will ensure we can deliver an improved railway with passengers at its heart.’
The change is part of the Government’s plans to rebuild a publicly owned railway that the country can rely on.
Another key change is the rail fare freeze.
Millions of commuters across the country are now benefiting from a freeze on rail fares for the first time in 30 years, helping with the cost of living and supporting economic growth.
From this week, regulated rail fares across England have been frozen.
This means passengers won’t pay more on season tickets, peak returns for commuters and off-peak returns between major cities – benefitting more than a billion journeys.
The move is saving passengers hundreds of pounds off their season tickets.
Also, it is supporting growth in town centres across the country, with commuters on some of the busiest routes set to save more than £300 per year.
For example, a typical commuter travelling to work three days a week using flexi-season tickets will save £315 per year travelling from Milton Keynes to London.
Meanwhile, they could save £173 per year travelling from Woking to London and £57 per year travelling from Bradford to Leeds.
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Train ticket refund rules are tightened across UK – as fare dodgers costing rail industry around £40 million a year
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