TfL Ref: 4536-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 13 March 2024 asking for information about fare evasion.
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: I am writing to obtain the information regards the number of prosecuted people for fare evasion, and the amount of penalty received in total.
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I request the following information:
(1) the number of prosecuted people for fare evasion, (2) the amount of penalty received from prosecuted people for fare evasion, for the following period:
i) 2018/19
ii) 2019/20
iii) 2020/21
iv) 2021/22
v) 2022/23
vi) 2023/24
Please see the table below which represents financial years 1 April through to 31 March apart from 2023/24 as the full year’s data is not yet available. Please also note that the number of prosecutions fell significantly during the pandemic as journeys fell and normal ticket checking was suspended as staff were required to enforce the Covid Face Covering Regulations
Please note that all penalties for the offence (fines) and victim surcharge imposed goes to HM Courts & Tribunal Service (HMCTS).
| Financial Year | Cases Convicted in Court | Total Fines Issued | Victim Surcharge | Average fine |
| 2018/19 | 29,118 | £ 5,472,495 | N/A* | £ 188.00 |
| 2019/20 | 25,577 | £ 4,842,512 | £ 749,307 | £ 187.00 |
| 2020/21 | 7,961 | £ 1,327,233 | £ 220,584 | £ 146.00 |
| 2021/22 | 3,199 | £ 483,850 | £ 99,132 | £ 162.00 |
| 2022/23 | 17,019 | £ 2,777,196 | £ 856,701 | £ 178.00 |
| 2023/24 | 13,171 | £ 3,114,865 | £ 794,437 | £ 256.00 |
Note court costs or compensation is not included in the data.
*Note we unfortunately do not hold this information for this financial year.
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
