Train operator South Central is right to take measures that will stamp out most fare dodging.

But in giving passengers on-the-spot fines if they are caught without tickets, it is treading on dangerous territory.

For every genuine fare dodger, there will be ten passengers who are travelling without tickets because it is almost impossible to get one.

They will be so angry at being fined for what they feel is the operator's fault they may be put off travelling by train altogether.

Busy stations such as Brighton nearly always have long queues for tickets.

Although there are machines, they are awkward to use. They are often out of order or do not take certain notes.

The fact the system will not apply to all stations will make it awkward and confusing.

South Central should encourage passengers to buy tickets before they travel if possible and make this process easy.

Instead of fining them on the spot if they do not, they should arrange for ticket collectors to be on every train or for fares to be collected at automatic gates.

There's enough fuss and bother about buying rail tickets already. This silly scheme will only make things worse. It is not the ticket at all.