Request ID: FOI-2410-2223 Date published: 24 January 2023
You asked
Could you confirm the current rate of fare evasion across the LU network? How is this determined/measured?
What are the top 10 fare evasion hotspots?
Fare Evaders have been seen regularly to either force Wide Aisle Gates or walk through Wide Aisle Gates behind fare paying passengers, is there evidence to support this?
When Wide Aisle Gates are forced/kicked open (other than staff reporting WAASBs) is this recorded, if so where?
When customers double up/double through behind fare paying passengers using Wide Aisle Gates, (other than staff reporting WAASBs) is this recorded, if so where?
What is London Underground’s strategy to protect revenue - specifically are London Underground considering changing the design of the Wide Aisle Gate or applying more air pressure so these gates are harder to force?
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-2410-2223
Thank you for your request received on 23 December 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 do hold the information you require.
We take fare evasion extremely seriously and our team of 450 revenue inspectors operate across our 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 gate lines. 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 £1,000 and a criminal record.
You asked:
Could you confirm the current rate of fare evasion across the LU network? How is this determined/measured?
Given changes in customer behaviour and the widespread use of contactless payment cards and devices for travel we are currently refining and updating how we measure fare evasion across our modes. Historically we measured the rate of fare evasion on the London Underground network through a passenger survey. The most recent survey of this type completed in 2022 shows a 4.03% fare evasion rate. In addition to these surveys we also use gate line information and other data sources to provide a insight and intelligence into where fare evasion and offending is occurring.
What are the top 10 fare evasion hotspots?
Please note that in accordance with the FOI Act, we are not obliged to provide you with information on the top fare evasion hotspots as this is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 31(1)(b) and Section 31(1)(g), which exempt from disclosure information which would, or would be likely to prejudice the apprehension or prosecution of offenders or the exercise of functions for the purpose of ascertaining whether any person has failed to comply with the law.
In this instance the exemption has been applied as providing the information you have asked for would highlight which stations we focus our enforcement activities. To deter the risk of fare evasion it is important we convey that ticket inspections can occur anywhere and at any time so potential evaders are likely to be caught.. Disclosing information which reveals where people are most likely to be caught for fare evasion would be of value to fare evaders and therefore adversely affect our inspection activity and impact on our duties under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act. Whilst we make no suggestion that this is the purpose of your request, when considering FOI requests we must consider disclosure to be to the world at large.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, but in this instance feel that balance lies in favour of withholding the information to ensure that we are able to carry out our inspection activity and to continue to discourage fare evaders from using our network.
Fare Evaders have been seen regularly to either force Wide Aisle Gates or walk through Wide Aisle Gates behind fare paying passengers, is there evidence to support this?
Our Revenue Protection Programme reviews a number of data sources including forced gate data and passengers double gating to assist with the deployment of Revenue Teams and other interventions. A recent study confirms that the majority of incidents of fare evasion through bumping or pushing through gates occurs at the wide aisle gates.
When Wide Aisle Gates are forced/kicked open (other than staff reporting WAASBs) is this recorded, if so where?
Customers who gain access on to the network by forcibly pushing through a closed paddle on a gate is recorded through Irregular Travel Analysis Platform (ITAP) and through Workplace Aggression & Anti-Social Behaviour (WAASB) data. A proof of concept ‘smart stations’ trial is also underway to automatically capture such behaviour through station CCTV. When customers double up/double through behind fare paying passengers using Wide Aisle Gates, (other than staff reporting WAASBs) is this recorded, if so where?
Customers who closely follow behind a fare paying customer as they pass through a closed gate is recorded through ITAP, through WAASB data and is being captured through the proof of concept smart stations CCTV trial. What is London Underground’s strategy to protect revenue - specifically are London Underground considering changing the design of the Wide Aisle Gate or applying more air pressure so these gates are harder to force?
Through the Pan TfL Revenue Protection Programme we are increasing our activities over a number of different workstreams this includes exploring gate design with our suppliers.
Wide Aisle Gates are designed to improve accessibility on the Underground, by allowing safe access for many people, such as those with reduced mobility, wheelchair and guide dog users, luggage, parents with buggies and children etc, without relying on staff members to unlock a gate for them.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, 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
