The cases of Meron Masho and Tmnint Yonas were heard this past week before Manchester Magistrates’ Court.
The duo, aged 27 and 21 respectively, and both of Daresbury Park Hotel, faced a charge of boarding a train without a valid ticket, contrary to railway byelaw.
The offences were committed on Friday, June 28, last year at Navigation Road train station in Altrincham.
Both boarded the train without a valid ticket to travel or a promise to pay notice, despite there being fully functioning ticket purchasing facilities available.
They entered the train and made a journey from Navigation Road to Manchester Piccadilly.
Both were issued with a penalty fare notice for £100.00 plus the single fare of £5.10, reduced to £50.00 plus the fare if paid within 21 days.
As no payment or appeal was received, two reminder letters were sent to them, but they still failed to pay.
In both cases, the verdict was found proven by way of a single justice procedure.
As a result, they were each told to pay a total of £463.10, broken down into a fine of £220, compensation for the rail fare of £5.10, victim surcharge of £88 and court costs of £150.