Most recent prosecution, penalty, and waive statistics for Fare Evasion, and the validity of minor TfL convictions
Request ID: FOI-4525-2324 Date published: 08 April 2024
You asked
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I request the following information:
The detailed statistics of penalty fares and criminal convictions for fare evasion issued, and those waived from October 2022 - March 2024.
The impact of a fare evasion conviction from TfL on a person's employment and visa applications- provide case studies varying on extremities of convictions, if applicable.
The whereabouts of the appearance of a fare evasion criminal conviction, and the exact wording on a DBS form or the NPC i.e. 'fare evasion,' 'entering a ticketed area without a valid ticket' etc.
Explain the validity of a TfL minor conviction that is 'strict liability' under a TfL "by-law" in a magistrate's court e.g. 'entering a ticketed area without a valid ticket' when said conviction does not appear on the NPC or a person's DBS form.
Explain whether a court summons in the above scenario is an empty threat as part of a deterrent campaign.
We answered
Our ref: FOI-4525-2324/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 7 March 2024 asking for information about fare evasion.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold some of the information you require.
The detailed statistics of penalty fares and criminal convictions for fare evasion issued, and those waived from October 2022 - March 2024. Please see the table below. Please be aware the figures are in financial years from the 1 April to 31 March for 2022/23 and 1 April to 2 March 2023/24 (there is still one financial period left in 2023/24 not included as it is not period end)
Financial Year
Penalty Fare Outcomes
Total figures
Financial Year
Prosecution Outcomes
Total figures
2022/23
PFNs Issued
54,155
2022/23
Cases Convicted at Court
15,828
2022/23
PFN's Cancelled
2,602
2022/23
Cases Withdrawn
673
2022/23
Appeals Allowed
1,865
2022/23
Cases Dismissed
26
Financial Year
Penalty Fares Outcomes
Total figures
Financial Year
Prosecution Outcomes
Total figures
2023/24
PFNs Issued
59,286
2023/24
Cases Convicted at Court
16,121
2023/24
PFN's Cancelled
5,202
2023/24
Cases Withdrawn
712
2023/24
Appeals Allowed
1,880
2023/24
Cases Dismissed
43
The impact of a fare evasion conviction from TfL on a person's employment and visa applications- provide case studies varying on extremities of convictions, if applicable. We do not hold this information.
The whereabouts of the appearance of a fare evasion criminal conviction, and the exact wording on a DBS form or the NPC i.e. 'fare evasion,' 'entering a ticketed area without a valid ticket' etc. We do not hold this information.
Explain the validity of a TfL minor conviction that is 'strict liability' under a TfL "by-law" in a magistrate's court e.g. 'entering a ticketed area without a valid ticket' when said conviction does not appear on the NPC or a person's DBS form. TfL prosecutes fare evasion offences in accordance with the TfL Byelaws and records of any convictions are held in the relevant Magistrates’ Courts. Please contact the DBS agency for enquiries about records held by them.
Explain whether a court summons in the above scenario is an empty threat as part of a deterrent campaign. We do not hold this information. However, prosecutions for fare evasion are conducted in accordance with our Byelaws and could have adverse impact on those convicted of offences prosecuted.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
