fare evasion on LU and wear and tear cost of increased train speeds
Request ID: FOI-3372-2223 Date published: 06 April 2023
You asked
Under the FOI please advise as to
1 what has been the increase in costs due to wear and tear since the speed of underground trains had been increased
2 what is the estimated loss of fares due to non paying passengers for each of the last 5 years on a the underground b DLR I
We answered
TfL Ref: 3372-2223
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 10 March 2023 asking for information about wear and tear costs due to the increased speed of the London Underground trains and fare evasion on the London Underground and DLR.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked: Under the FOI please advise as to 1 what has been the increase in costs due to wear and tear since the speed of underground trains had been increased 2 what is the estimated loss of fares due to non paying passengers for each of the last 5 years on a the underground b DLR
We do not hold data specifically to answer question 1 of your request. It would be extremely difficult to quantify an increase in costs attributable to train speed, given there have been other causes for asset degradation.
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 push for the toughest penalties for anyone caught fare evading on our services. Fare evasion takes away vital revenue for us to reinvest in 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.
Please see fare evasion data below as requested:
London Underground
Feb 2018 = 1.43% May 2018 = 1.09% Nov 2018 = 1.78% Feb 2019 = 2.49% May 2019 = 1.87% Nov 2019 = 2.62% May 2022 = 4.20% Nov 2022 = 4.08%
DLR
2018/19 = 0.56% 2019/20 = 0.60% 2020/21 = no data 2021/22 = no data 2022/23 = pending end of year analysis and should be available around end April 2023.
Fare evasion data for the DLR in years 20/21 and 21/22 is not available due to the pandemic restrictions - all ticket checking activities were temporarily suspended.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
