Rail passengers travelling on TransPennine Express services will face a hefty fine if they don't purchase a ticket before boarding.
The operator has launched a new Penalty Fare Scheme in a bid to cut fare dodgers and to encourage customers to buy ahead of travelling.
The new penalty will be implemented from February 2, and will apply to travellers on all of their services outside of Scotland.
The company operates from several hubs in Greater Manchester, with both major and minor stations included in their Penalty Fare Map.
Those who board a train without a valid ticket will have to pay either £20, or twice the cost of the full single fare for their journey - whichever is greater.
However rail users have slammed the decision to introduce the fare and a petition has been set up to reverse the scheme.
The petition has been set up by Ollie Gledhill, from Malton, Yorkshire, who the new scheme doesn't take into account those who get to the station late.
The petition says: “TransPennine is making a new rule which states that if you get on the train without a ticket, you will be greeted with a £20 fine.
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“This would be a good idea, theoretically, since its main goal is to cut down on people getting on the train without paying.
"But it's the people who get to the station late, and don't have to worry because they can buy the ticket on the train.
“As a user of Transpennine Express, they’re so late sometimes it’s funny. They shouldn’t change anything."
Almost 500 people have signed the petition, with many providing their own reasons why they don't agree with the decision.
One objector said: "You shouldn't have to be fined for not being able to get a ticket in time to catch your train when machines are broken and ticket counters are unmanned. Machines on trains might make more sense!"
One added: "Sometimes it just isn’t possible to buy the ticket before you get onboard!"
Another asked: "If passengers have to get to the station early enough to purchase a ticket or they will face a £20 (or fare doubling) fine, then surely TPE should be held to the same standard? How about an automatic £20 (or fare doubling) refund for passengers inconvenienced by ANY lateness on the part of the train operator?"
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A spokesperson for TransPennine Express told the Manchester Evening News: “Fare avoidance is an real issue within the rail industry and those who travel without paying is unfair on customers who pay their way to get to their destination. This is why from Sunday 2 February we will be introducing Penalty Fares on our services, meaning that customers must have a valid ticket before they board one of our trains, as per the National Rail Conditions of Travel.
“Customers have the option of buying a ticket from the booking office or a ticket vending machine before they board. In addition to this, customers can buy online or buy using the TransPennine Express app with no booking fees.
"They added that The National Conditions of Travel state that customers must purchase, where possible, a valid Ticket before they board a train service on the National Rail Network and that "customers who are found without a ticket will have to pay £20 or twice the full single fare to the next station – whichever is more,"
"If they want to continue their journey after the next station, they will have to buy the appropriate ticket for the rest or the trip or get off at the station on the notice.
"The £20 penalty is standard across other TOCs (such as Northern) who have a Penalty Fares scheme.
"If, for any reason, a booking office is closed and ticket vending machines aren’t working – customers will be then able to purchase on board."