So, if you’ve ever risked it on the tram by pretending the ticket inspector won’t clock you, this might be your sign to stop.
Nottingham Express Transit (NET) has announced an update to its Penalty Fare system, and spoiler: it’s about to get a lot more expensive to chance it.
From May 1, 2026, anyone caught travelling without a valid ticket or pass will be hit with a £120 Penalty Fare Notice, up from the current £70. Yes. £120. That’s, like, several nights out at the pub.
However — and this is important — NET is introducing a new early payment discount. First-time offenders can get the fine reduced to £60 if it’s paid within 14 days, which is essentially a “learn your lesson and don’t do it again” price.
NET says this is all part of its ongoing zero tolerance policy towards fare evasion, which it very much wants you to know is theft. No excuses, no “my phone with the wallet died”, vibes-based travel.
In case you were wondering how serious they are: in 2025 alone, more than 10,000 people were caught riding the trams without a valid ticket. That’s a lot of people confidently boarding and hoping for the best.
According to NET, the fine increase is meant to scare off would-be fare dodgers and remind everyone that if you don’t tap, scan, or validate — you are committing an actual crime.
Speaking on the update, NET CEO Tim Hesketh made it very clear they are not playing around.
He said fare evasion “isn’t something we take lightly” and warned that unpaid Penalty Fare Notices can lead to prosecution, fines of up to £1,000, and even a criminal record. Which feels like a lot to take on just to save a few quid.
He also compared it to shoplifting, saying that just like you’d expect consequences for stealing from a shop, the same applies if you’re caught travelling for free on the trams.
While the fine has gone up for the first time in five years, NET insists it’s being fair by introducing the early payment discount — meaning the system is harsher, but also slightly more forgiving if you behave immediately.
NET added that the majority of tram users already pay properly, and the aim is to keep the network safe, funded, and functioning for the thousands of people who rely on it daily to get to work, see family, or just exist in Nottingham.
And if you’re thinking, “I don’t even know how to buy a ticket,” they’ve pre-empted that too. There are signs at every tram stop, plus help points where you can speak directly to staff — so, unfortunately, confusion is no longer a valid excuse.
In summary: pay for your ticket, don’t test your luck, and maybe don’t risk catching a criminal record over a tram ride.
Fare dodging season? Officially over.
For more information on NET’s Penalty Fare and Appeals process, visit www.thetram.net/penalty-fares
