FARE dodgers on the Airedale railway line now face a £100 penalty.

Anyone caught travelling without a valid ticket or 'promise to pay' notice will be issued with the penalty fare, which is reduced to £50 if paid within 21 days.

Since 2005 the penalty fare had been £20, but the rail industry felt it no longer provided a deterrent and pushed for change.

Mark Powles – for Northern, which operates the Airedale line services – says: "The overwhelming majority of our customers do the right thing and buy a ticket before they board a train.

"However, fare dodgers will find themselves having to dig deep if they continue to try to travel without buying a ticket. The £100 penalty fare is a Government initiative that Northern and other train operators in England are now enforcing.

"With more ways than ever to buy a ticket – be it online, through an app, at a self-service machine or ticket office – there is no excuse."