Transport for London (TfL) says it’s looking to drastically lower fare evasion on its trains and buses. For April to December 2024 the rate of fare evasion was estimated at 3.4 per cent, which would equate to £130m over a year. TfL says it’s determined to lower this to 1.5 per cent by 2030; in 2023-24 it stood at 3.8 per cent.
The Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said: “Fare evasion is a criminal offence which deprives TfL of thousands of pounds of vital revenue every year that could be reinvested in London’s transport network. That’s why we’re expanding our team of professional investigators to cover the whole network and investing in the latest technology to target the worst offenders. It sends a clear message: fare evasion will not be tolerated, and we will hold those who do it to account.
“The team is supporting more than 500 uniformed TfL officers across the network who are already going after fare evaders and helping to keep the public safe. The latest data shows that TfL’s efforts to reduce fare evasion on the network is working, but there is more to do. I’m determined to do all I can to support the vital work TfL is doing to ensure these vital funds are reinvested into improving transport services for Londoners.”
TfL points to contactless payment card fare evasion on buses; and on the Underground, ‘gate-pushing’, whereby the evader hurries behind a legitimately paying passenger, to go through gates before they shut, which creates an intimidating atmosphere for staff and customers, TfL says.
Siwan Hayward, TfL’s Director of Security, Policing, and Enforcement, said: “The overwhelming majority of customers pay the correct fare, and it’s unfair to those who do that a minority avoid paying. We are strengthening our capability to deter and detect fare evaders ensuring they face the consequences of their actions and that the cost of fare evasion is paid by the evaders, not our fare paying customers or taxpayers. Fare evasion is not a victimless crime. It robs Londoners of vital investment in a safe, frequent and reliable transport network and we are committed to reducing the current rate of fare evasion to 1.5 per cent by 2030.”
Violence and aggression
Revenue disputes are a precursor to about half of all reported work-related violence and aggression incidents towards front-line staff, TfL says. It claims frae evasion in London remains lower than many comparable cities in Europe and North America, giving the example of a rate of fare evasion of 13 per cent on the New York metro.
The London transport operator proposes to use tools, such as its Irregular Travel Analysis Platform (ITAP) which uses ticketing and journey data, passenger information, and CCTV to identify fare evaders who are behind the greatest revenue loss. By analysing travel patterns, investigators will focus on those who evade fares repeatedly, TfL adds.
