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TfL & Transport

Transport for London and other transport authorities issue a range of fines and penalty fares. Each has its own appeal route and time limit. Getting the right process first time makes all the difference.

21-day limit for penalty fares

Types of dispute this covers

Penalty fares (tube, rail, bus)

Issued for travelling without a valid ticket. Appeal to the Train Operating Company (TOC) within 21 days, then to the Rail Ombudsman if unresolved.

Bus lane / red route / moving traffic

Informal representation to the issuing authority, then formal representation, then appeal to London Tribunals.

Congestion Charge / ULEZ

Challenge TfL directly. Unresolved: appeal to the Environment and Traffic Adjudicators (ETA).

Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) fines

Appeal the relevant local council. Escalate to the relevant adjudicator if unsuccessful.

The law that applies

Greater London Authority Act 1999

Provides TfL with enforcement powers for road user charging.

Railways Act 1993 (as amended)

Governs penalty fare schemes on the rail network.

Traffic Management Act 2004

Covers moving traffic contraventions and the appeals framework.

The process - step by step

1

Appeal to the issuing authority

Start with the body that issued the notice - TfL, the TOC, or the local council. Fight My Corner drafts your challenge citing the correct grounds.

2

Independent adjudication

If the initial challenge fails: London Tribunals (moving traffic), Environment and Traffic Adjudicators (ULEZ/Congestion Charge), or the Rail Ombudsman (penalty fares).

3

Ombudsman escalation

For rail penalty fare disputes unresolved after 8 weeks, escalate to the Rail Ombudsman - a free, binding service.

Possible next steps

London Tribunals / Environment and Traffic Adjudicators / Rail Ombudsman

The correct escalation body depends on the type of TfL enforcement. We identify the right route in your letter.

This is general guidance only. Whether an external scheme applies depends on the company, its membership, the complaint stage, and verified case facts. Fight My Corner does not currently start an external route.

Important warnings

Criminal prosecution for fare evasion is outside the scope of this service.

Penalty fares must be appealed within 21 days - after that, the right to challenge is lost.

Congestion Charge and ULEZ penalties escalate quickly if ignored. Pay or challenge promptly.

What Fight My Corner covers for this dispute

What's included

  • Penalty fare appeals (tube, rail, bus)
  • Moving traffic contravention challenges
  • Congestion Charge and ULEZ representations
  • LTN fine appeals

What's not included

  • Criminal prosecution for fare evasion
  • Driving offences (speeding, running red lights)

Start your fact-checking intake

Tell us what happened with tfl & transport. We'll save the facts you confirm and check the company classification. No letter is generated at this stage.

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Legal disclaimer · Fight My Corner provides dispute guidance, not legal advice.