In December we reported that TfL was trialling AI to catch fare evaders at Tube stations. TfL has increased the fines for evaders in its latest bid to crack down on barrier jumpers.
TfL has announced that fines for skipping fares and mistreating TfL staff will increase by 20% from £80 to £100. If paid within 21 days, the fine will be reduced to £50. TfL’s frontline staff will also wear body cameras to record any abuse they may face.
Data published by TfL shows 19,614 people were prosecuted for fare evasion in 2023, an increase of 56 per cent compared to 2022. Additionally, more than 400 people were investigated for habitual fare evasion, and fare evaders made more than 50,000 fraudulent subway rides. Communication network.
TfL says people who jump fences cost transport authorities around £150m a year. He cannot afford to miss out on these funds, especially if he wants to complete proposed projects such as the DLR extension and the West London Orbit, as TfL has been quite cash-strapped lately.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: “TfL relies on fare income to provide Londoners with the safe, clean and reliable public transport they deserve.” Fare evasion deprives us of much-needed income, so I welcome this tough new action from TfL to step up enforcement and ensure more fare evaders are brought to justice.
“The latest figures show that real progress is being made, but I will continue to work with TfL and British Transport Police to crack down on fare evasion and deliver better, safer and fairer fare evasion for everyone. We’re going to build London.”
ICYMI: This Northern Line tube station will close for six months later this year.
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