Request ID: FOI-1522-2223 Date published: 21 October 2022
You asked
This is an information request relating to TfL’s policy on passengers jumping barriers at London Underground tube stations (please do not include the Overground or DLR).
Please provide me with information on the policy for staff when they witness passengers go through closed barriers without paying
Please also include the following information for each of the following financial years; 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022-present:
• The number of passengers who have gone through TfL barriers without paying
• The number of passengers stopped by TfL staff because of an attempt to go through TfL barriers without paying
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-1522-2223
Thank you for your request received on 27 September 2022 asking for information about fare evasion on the London Underground Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we hold some of the information you require. We take fare evasion extremely seriously and our team of 450 revenue inspectors operate across the whole network day and night, using new technology and intelligence to identify anyone travelling without a ticket. Through continued partnership working with the police and intelligence gathering we will push for the toughest penalties for anyone caught fare evading on our services. Fare evasion takes away vital revenue for us to reinvest into our transport network to keep London moving. We have strategies in place to tackle fare evasion head on and a commitment to reduce any form of ticketing irregularities. Efforts to tackle fare evasion have been helped by changes to the way we manage our stations, with more staff visible in and around stations including on gatelines. The penalty fare is one of several tools available to minimise this revenue loss and deter individuals from committing fare evasion. Penalty Fare Notices are issued in lieu of initiating a criminal prosecution following fare evasion, in circumstances where the offender is considered not to have deliberately set out to avoid the fare due. Fare evasion is a criminal offence that could lead to a fine of up to £1000 and a criminal record. You asked for:
• Please provide me with information on the policy for staff when they witness passengers go through closed barriers without paying Station staff who witness a passenger go through closed barriers are expected to report this via an app they have on their mobile devices, and on occasion may also record it in the station log book. A description of the events and any witness statements is forwarded to the Intelligence & Deployment team to assist in future enforcement strategies.
• Please also include the following information for each of the following financial years; 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022-present: Please see the chart below of passengers caught within a compulsory ticket area in a station without a valid ticket or pass who were either issued a penalty fare or face prosecution. We do not have the ability to break it down into specific offences such as jumping the barriers etc. The number of passengers who have gone through TfL barriers without paying
Year
Penalty Fares
Prosecution Reports
2019/20
18,354
3,688
2020/21
70
17
2021/22
5,886
2,384
2022/23
4,747
2,226
• The number of passengers stopped by TfL staff because of an attempt to go through TfL barriers without paying
We do not hold this information as it not captured on a routine basis. There may be ad hoc reporting of these incidents in the station logbooks, however this would not provide a full or accurate record. If this is not the information you are looking for please feel free to contact me. Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
