Conservative mayoral candidate Alex Challoner has unveiled a plan to pay Londoners a 25 per cent share of recovered funds when their reports lead to the capture of serial fare dodgers. The businessman, who entered the 2028 election race as the third Conservative candidate two weeks ago, says the measure is needed to tackle the costly practice that drains Transport for London (TfL) finances.
Reporting tool and reward scheme
Mr Challoner proposes adding a simple reporting tool to the TfL Go app and online, enabling passengers to immediately alert gate staff and British Transport Police officers to incidents. Under his plan, a Londoner whose report helps catch a persistent fare dodger would receive 25 per cent of the money TfL recovers from the offender.
“Every Londoner who taps in knows the feeling of watching someone barge through the barrier behind them,” Mr Challoner said. “They are paying for that person's journey, and under Sadiq Khan nothing ever happens.” He added: “TfL already has a way to report fare dodgers. It has just kept it hidden. I will put it on every platform and in every Londoner's pocket, and when your report helps catch a serial fare dodger, you will get a share of what they are made to pay back.”
Police funding and broader campaign pledges
To support the initiative, Mr Challoner wants to double TfL’s funding for the British Transport Police, financing an extra 900 officers dedicated to ticket gates. Overall, fare dodging is estimated to cost TfL around £190 million per year.
Beyond fare evasion, Mr Challoner’s campaign includes proposals to slash VAT on gym memberships to address men’s mental health issues and to remove VAT entirely from the capital’s independent brewers. He will compete against former Home and Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Westminster City Councillor Festus Akinbusoye for the Conservative nomination.
Selection process and next steps
Tory candidates had until September 30 to enter the race. A selection panel will now reduce the field to a final two, after which party members will elect their chosen candidate before the end of the year.
