Nexus have confirmed that the increase in the penalty fare on the Tyne and Wear Metro to £100 will be introduced from Monday 23rd January 2023. It had been announced in November that as part of a Department for Transport scheme penalty fares would rise from January 2023 but the exact date has only just been announced.
The Tyne and Wear Metro is included in the government’s penalty fare scheme which includes national rail services and as such is bound by the increase which is aimed to be a deterrent to those who don’t pay for travel.
Huw Lewis, Customer Services Director at Nexus, said: “The Government is raising the penalty fare from £20 to £100 and this change will automatically apply on Metro from Monday January 23. Metro is part of the Government’s national penalty fare regime covering train companies across the whole country. This is the first change since 2005 and reflects feedback from customers who want to see a strong deterrent against fraud. Anyone who is issued with a £100 penalty fare will pay £50 if it is paid with 21 days of it being issued. The Government consulted the whole rail industry and Nexus was among those keen to see an increase, because customers tell us they want tougher penalties for those who decide not to pay their fare. The simple message for Metro customers is to pay your fare every time you travel.”
A major hard hitting marketing campaign is being rolled out by Nexus on Metro stations and trains to warn passengers of the value in paying their fares on every single journey. Currently Nexus estimate fare evasion costs them £1 million each year.
While the penalty fare will be £100 for anyone found without a ticket, this will be reduced to £50 if paid within 21 days. It won’t be possible to pay the fine on the spot with card payments able to be made online (https://payments.nexus.org.uk/) or by phoning 0191 814 7699 for the 24 hour automated payment line. Payments can also be made in person or post.