Northern has issued 10 per cent less penalty fares in the first month since the government increased the fine to £100 compared to the same period last year.

A total  of 3,831 people caught travelling without a valid ticket or ‘promise to pay’ notice were issued with a penalty fare, compared to 4,261 in the same period last year.

The train operator has revealed adult passengers accounted for 81 per cent of the penalty fares issued, with under 18s making up the remaining 19 per cent.

Mark Powles, commercial and customer director at Northern, said: “A sudden 10 per cent reduction in the number of penalty fares being issued would suggest the increase to £100 has been effective in terms of a deterrent. Of course, this is only the first month - but it is definitely a step in the right direction.

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“Upwards of 95 per cent of our customers do the right thing and buy a ticket before they travel – and having invested in the largest network of digital ticket infrastructure of any train operator in the country, Northern has made it easier than ever to buy a ticket via our app, website or one of more than 600 ticket machines across the network.

"There really is no excuse.”

The government’s new £100 penalty fare came into effect on 23 January, increasing from £20 which had been the case since 2005.