TfL tackles train fare evasion

Date: 18/3/2011

Individuals who fail to pay a fare to use the capital's transport networks are costing the UK taxpayer £75 million every year, it has been calculated.

In order to tackle the problem, Transport for London (TfL) is to send undercover inspectors on to buses and underground trains in an effort to prevent people from travelling without buying a ticket.

Anyone caught not paying a fare could face prosecution, as the inspectors work closely with TfL-funded police and community support officers.

A survey by the government body has discovered that a quarter of passengers believe it is easy to avoid the fare when using public transport in the capital, while one in ten respondents claimed it was worth the risk.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: "Fare dodgers are a parasitic scourge on this city costing London millions of pounds."

He added that his original motivation to take bendy buses off the city's roads was because he believed it made it too easy for people abscond from paying.

TfL earlier announced that from the end of May this year, travellers will no longer require an Oyster Extension Permit if they want to journey outside of London's set zones.

Posted by Mary Treen