Find out what happens if you are issued a £100 Penalty Fare Notice, how to pay and how to appeal.
Penalty Fares
When travelling on the West Midlands Metro tram network, you must have a valid ticket or pass before you board, valid for the time of day and all zones you’re travelling through, and must cover your whole journey. If you are travelling with a mobile ticket, you must activate it before you board the tram and ensure you have enough battery to show the ticket if required. It’s your responsibility to make sure of this before you board.
If you travel without a valid ticket or pass, fail to activate your mobile ticket before boarding, or are unable to produce a valid ticket for inspection when requested, you will be liable for a £100 Penalty Fare Notice or prosecution.
Find out about the ways to buy your ticket or pass before you board here.
Ticket Inspections and Revenue Officers
Revenue Officers will carry out regular ticket inspections across the network, on trams, at stops and on platforms and may ask to see your ticket at any point during your journey.
Their role is to help ensure that everyone travelling has a valid ticket or pass, and to issue a Penalty Fare Notice to passengers found travelling without a ticket valid for their journey.
Our Revenue Officers are authorised to:
Request to see your ticket at any time during your journey.
Check that you have a valid ticket or pass for your entire journey.
Issue a penalty fare notice to passengers who are unable to provide a valid ticket or authority to travel.
You must have your ticket or pass easily accessible throughout your journey so you can produce it when requested. Remember to keep hold of your ticket when you leave the tram, as ticket and pass inspections will be carried out at the tram stop.
Penalty Fare Notice
If you are issued a Penalty Fare Notice, you are liable to pay £100 within 28 days:
A £50 discount is applied if paid within 14 days.
£100 if paid between 15–28 days
If the Penalty fare remains unpaid after 28 days, West Midlands Metro may start prosecution proceedings. Please follow the payment instructions and deadline shown on your Penalty Fare Notice.
Pay your £100 Penalty Fare
If you pay within 14 days of the date you received your Penalty Fare Notice, a £50 discount is applied.
A £100 Penalty Fare Notice may be issued if you travel without a valid ticket or pass, fail to activate your mobile ticket before boarding, or cannot produce a valid ticket or pass when requested by a Revenue Officer.
When do I need to buy my ticket?
You must have a valid ticket or pass before you board the tram. Your ticket or pass must be valid for the time of day and all zones you intend to travel through and must cover your whole journey. Travelling without a valid ticket may result in a £100 Penalty Fare Notice.
How much is the Penalty Fare?
The Penalty Fare is £100, discounted to £50 if paid within 14 days.
How to pay my Penalty Fare?
If you receive a Penalty Fare, you can pay this using the following options:
Please follow the payment instructions and deadline provided.
Do I have to pay immediately?
No. If you are issued a Penalty Fare Notice, you will be given information on how to pay and the deadline for payment. Please follow the payment instructions shown on your Penalty Fare Notice.
Can I make a payment over the phone?
Yes. You can make a payment over the phone by calling on 0333 004 6170 (Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). You can also pay online here.
Can I pay my Penalty Fare in cash?
No. Payments must be made either by phone or online; cash payments are not accepted.
How do I know if my payment was successful?
You will receive an email confirmation once your payment has been processed. If you don’t receive one, please check your spam folder or contact us.
What happens if I enter the wrong Penalty Fare reference number?
If you enter the wrong reference number, your payment may not be applied to your case. Please double‑check the number before making a payment.
What happens if I don't pay my Penalty Fare?
If your Penalty Fare is not paid within 28 days, West Midlands Metro may start prosecution proceedings against you. This could result in further costs or legal action.
Please go through your Penalty Fare Notice carefully and follow the payment instructions and deadline provided.
Can I submit an appeal against my Penalty Fare?
Yes. You can submit an appeal within 28 days of receiving your Penalty Fare Notice using the official online appeals link here.
How do I know a Revenue Officer is genuine?
Revenue Officers carry official identification and are trained to carry out inspections professionally and respectfully. You can ask to see their identification if you are unsure.
What do I need to show a Revenue Officer?
You need to show a valid ticket or pass for the time of day and all zones you intend to travel through. Your ticket or pass must cover your whole journey.
Where do ticket inspections take place?
Ticket inspections can take place at any point during your journey. Revenue Officers may carry out checks:
Onboard the tram
At tram stops
On platforms
As you board or leave the tram
You may be asked to show your ticket or pass at any point whilst you are travelling on our network.
Do I need to keep my ticket for my whole journey?
Yes. You must keep your ticket or pass with you and be able to produce it whenever a Revenue Officers asks. This includes as you arrive at or leave the tram stop.
Your ticket must be valid for the time of day and all zones you intend to travel through for your whole journey.
Can I buy a ticket from a Revenue Officer?
No, you cannot buy from the Revenue Officers, as this is an inspection to check you have a valid ticket, not to buy one. You must have a valid ticket before boarding or attempting to board the tram.
What if I cannot show my MyMetro App ticket?
You must be able to show you have a valid ticket when requested. If you cannot display your ticket for inspection, you will be treated as travelling without a valid ticket.
It is your responsibility to make sure your ticket is purchased, activated and accessible throughout your journey.
What happens if I do not have a valid ticket?
If you cannot produce a valid ticket or pass when requested, you may be issued a £100 Penalty Fare Notice. Find out more about this on our Penalty Fares page.
What if I had a problem buying or activating my ticket?
It is your responsibility to have a valid ticket or pass before boarding. If you experience a problem with a ticket machine or the MyMetro App, please use another way to pay for your journey or seek assistance from the team via Whatsapp or from the help points at the tram stops before boarding.
If you cannot produce a valid ticket or pass when requested for the whole of your journey, you may be issued a £100 Penalty Fare Notice.
Want to Appeal?
If you believe your Penalty Fare Notice was issued incorrectly or unfairly, you can submit an appeal within 28 days. For full details, visit our Appeals page for more information.
