If you do get on a train without a ticket, then you may be liable to pay a penalty fare notice or reported for prosecution. If staff do choose to sell a ticket, then no discounts will apply when you purchase your ticket from the Guard or Revenue Protection staff except in the circumstances below.
However, you can buy the ticket you wanted using any Railcard discounts that apply if there is no way of buying the ticket you want at the station where you start your journey; if
the station has no ticket office or TVM;
the ticket office is closed;
the TVM isn’t working or can’t issue the ticket you want;
you cannot use both the ticket office or ticket machine as a result of a disability; or
you’re entitled to concessionary fares without a Railcard, for example, if you are a
permanent wheelchair user.
In certain circumstances a member of staff may give you permission to travel without having purchased a ticket. (In these situations where a person appears to be acting for or on behalf of a train Operator, it is advisable for a customer to make a note of the person who has indicated travel is allowed, such as name, physical description and where on the station they are located (outside ticket office, at the gates etc.) This can assist with later verification or appeal.) This may include if you had to queue a long time for a ticket, if there are problems with a ticket machine, if there is disruption to the service.