Train operator Northern is set to take two more people to court after they used tickets purchased with a Railcard before 10am – just days after the Department for Transport ordered the company to review similar cases.

It comes just days after a The Bolton News investigation revealed that a Westhoughton woman had received a criminal record and more than £450 in fines after she used an "anytime" ticket before 10am to travel to her job in Wigan.

The investigation has led to interventions from MPs – with one calling the situation a "scandal".

Now, new court records show two cases have been listed at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court on Monday, October 14.

A 29-year-old woman is being prosecuted by Northern for the use of an Off Peak Day Return with a 26-30 Railcard discount during the morning peak time – with a ticket below the £12 "minimum fare" which applies to flexible tickets purchased with a Railcard before 10am on weekdays.

Northern says the woman, from Normanton, should have purchased a £4.90 full fare ticket for her trip from Normanton to Leeds. Now, the rail company is seeking to prosecute her in court, where it hopes to recover the £4.90 alongside £150 prosecution costs.

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The woman could also face a maximum penalty of three months in prison and/or a maximum fine of £1,000.

According to the National Rail Conditions of Travel, which Northern is a signatory to, those travelling on a time-restricted ticket, such as "off-peak", which is correctly dated but invalid for the service on which they are travelling, should be charged the difference between the fare they have paid and the lowest price ticket which would be valid for the train they are using.

A 27-year-old man from Leeds is also due to be prosecuted by Northern in the same court on Monday.

Northern says he avoided a £3.60 fare by using a £2.40 "Anytime Day Return" ticket from Burley Park to Leeds before 10am on Thursday, February 29. The company is seeking £3.60 in court alongside £150 in prosecution costs.

He could also face three months in prison and a maximum fine of £1,000 under the 1889 Regulation of Railways Act.

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A Northern spokesperson said: “Our teams have a very difficult role in dealing with repeated and deliberate fare evaders and identifying customers who have made a genuine mistake.

“We understand that ticketing is complex and we are reviewing our processes to ensure compliance with ticket and railcard terms and conditions. We welcome the opportunity and are actively engaged with government and industry to simplify fares.

“We are committed to treating customers fairly and proportionately whilst balancing the need to protect taxpayers’ money.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "We expect Northern and all operators to ensure their policy on ticketing is clear and fair for passengers at all times. Northern are reviewing the details of these cases and will report back to the Department.

“It is clear that ticketing is far too complicated, with a labyrinth of different fares and prices which can be confusing for passengers.

“That’s why we have committed to the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation, including simplifying fares to make travelling by train easier.”

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.