Transport for London has been accused of 'sheer incompetence' after it emerged that fare evasion is costing the network almost exactly the amount raised by a March fare increase. The Centre for Government Reform said that fare dodging across the Underground and Elizabeth line is costing £165 million a year, nearly matching the £168 million that the March ticket price rises were expected to generate to maintain and improve services.
Think tank slams TfL over fare evasion
Ameer Kotecha, chief executive of the Centre for Government Reform, said: 'Londoners were told the March fare rise was necessary to improve the network. What they weren't told is that fare evasion is costing TfL almost exactly the same amount the rise was expected to generate across the entire network.' He added: 'Before asking Londoners to dig deeper into their pockets, TfL needs to get serious about enforcement. This is not a funding problem, but sheer incompetence.'
TfL response and enforcement measures
TfL said its enforcement efforts have reduced the pan-TfL fare evasion rate to 3.5%, down from 3.9% in 2022/23. The network deploys more than 500 uniformed officers to deal with fare evasion and anti-social behaviour. Last financial year, TfL issued over 69,000 penalty fares and reported over 21,000 individuals for possible prosecution. TfL is committed to reducing the fare evasion rate to 1.5% by 2030/31.
National crackdown on fare dodging
In March, the UK government unveiled measures to tackle chronic fare dodging, which costs taxpayers £350 million annually nationwide. Railcard users will now have to complete a 'simple validation check' to prove entitlement to discounted travel, either online or at station ticket machines. A government source said the system would eventually be integrated into a single Great British Railways app.
