Rail passengers in the Vale now face being fined if they board a train without a ticket.
Transport for Wales (TfW) is rolling out its Penalty Fare Zone across South Wales as it looks to tackle fare dodging costing millions of pounds a year.
From Monday, anyone caught travelling without a ticket - or tapping in where there is a pay-as-you-go option, could face either a £20 fine or paying double the cost of their fare, whichever is greater.
The rollout includes all trains between Bridgend and Cardiff, either via the Vale of Glamorgan Line or the South Wales mainline, as well as services to and from Penarth.
TfW says the penalty fine could be increased in the future to £100, as it currently applies to its services running between Shrewsbury and Birmingham.
Currently, the penalty fare zone applies to journeys between Severn Tunnel Junction and Carmarthen - but in the expanded area, passengers will no longer be allowed to buy a ticket on the train.
Alexia Course, chief commercial officer at TfW, said: "The vast majority of customers pay the correct fares and this revenue is vital for us as we continue to transform the Wales and Borders network with £800m of brand-new trains and the delivery of the South Wales Metro."
"Unfortunately, there are a minority who don't pay their fare or use fraudulent activity to try and avoid paying the correct amount for their journey. Not only is this unfair on their fellow passengers, but it also costs TfW millions each year in lost revenue."
"TfW is a not-for-profit organisation with no shareholders, and all revenue is used to fund the running of the services and future improvements. By reducing the money we lose through fare evasion and fraud, we can also reduce the subsidy required from Welsh Government, which is funded by the taxpayer."
"We encourage all passengers to buy before they board using the TfW website, award-winning app or by using the best value Pay As You Go fares, where available."
Self service ticket machines are available at all stations in the Vale, with ticket offices open at Bridgend and Cardiff Central.
TfW is currently running a contactless pay-as-you-go pilot scheme between Newport, Cardiff Central and Pontyclun, where passengers can tap in and out using their physical contactless bank card.
The Welsh Conservatives have called on TfW to ensure the ability to buy tickets is accessible for everyone.
Shadow transport minister Natasha Ashgar said: "Whilst it is of course important that everyone pays their way on public transport, there are clear concerns from passengers that purchasing tickets is becoming increasingly difficult."
"I have long said that in order to incentivise people to use public transport facilities, they must be as accessible, reliable and as affordable as possible for our Welsh commuters."
“However, recent weeks have shown that Labour can be incredibly cruel and out of touch when it comes to affordability in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, so I fear we will continue to be forced away from our cars with no viable alternative in place.”
Full details on the penalty fare zone rollout can be found on the Transport for Wales website.
Candlelit vigil held for White Ribbon Day
Mental health Hangout opens in Barry
Two charged with Barry Island stabbing
Mayor to host Christmas Market
Santa Sleigh returns to Barry
Barry Island: two arrests after serious assault
Tui to expand Cardiff Airport flights
Vale Council facing £14.8m budget gap
Santa's reindeer let loose in Cardiff Bay
Sculptures on show at Art Central
BA to expand Cardiff Airport maintenance base
New contractors for Ysgol Llyn Derw
Big winter party for More in Common group
Review: Array truly shine in expert retelling of Sondheim's ‘Company’
Gloves on for Barry volunteer
First look at Gavin and Stacey: The Finale, coming on Christmas Day
Barry Biomass on the brink?
Penarth walk raises funds for new gym equipment
