London Assembly transport committee says the level of fare dodging is “undermining Londoners’ faith in the fairness of our transport network”, reports Kumail Jaffer, Local Democracy Reporter

Ticket barriers (credit Harrison Galliven)

Transport for London (TfL) must increase staffing at train station ticket barriers or risk failing to meet its target to reduce fare evasion, a cross-party group of London Assembly members has said.

The London Assembly’s transport committee has said the level of fare dodging is “undermining Londoners’ faith in the fairness of our transport network”.

Reducing the number of unstaffed gatelines should be the priority for TfL, they said.

Their intervention comes after fresh data showed officials were falling short of fare evasion targets on every form of transport except the London Overground.

TfL say its approach of expanding its team of investigators and using technology to tackle evaders has seen the rate fall from 3.8% to 3.5%. The 2030 target is 1.5%.

The cost to TfL of those who fail or refuse to pay for their transport across the network was estimated to be £190million last year.

The transport committee has also asked British Transport Police (BTP) to take action to reduce response times to incidents of aggression against TfL staff attempting to intervene on fare evasion.

Committee chair Elly Baker said: “Fare evasion is unacceptable – causing TfL financial losses that eventually become the expense of the vast majority who pay their fares.

“All too often, fare evasion is also linked to violence and aggression towards TfL frontline staff who feels this issue is getting worse.

“TfL must ensure more is done to ensure gatelines are in operation and staffed at all stations and reduce the amount of times staff are being asked to work on their own on our transport network.”

The letter to TfL, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), makes three key recommendations. It says TfL must set a target to reduce planned and unplanned instances of when and where gatelines are being left open and unstaffed; carry out analysis of its data on fare evasion by the end of 2027; and reconsider its approach to staffing stations.

British Transport Police (BTP) was criticised for what the committee called “slow” response times to incidents of violence and aggression towards TfL staff.

“We heard reports that officers rarely arrive before an assailant has left the scene,” the letter said. “With around half of all incidents of violence and aggression towards TfL staff stemming from fare evasion or payment disputes, rapid police responses are vital.

“Given the concerns we heard from TfL staff representatives, we are seeking reassurances from TfL that it is taking action to support staff, but it is clear that closer cooperation between the Met Police, TfL and BTP will be essential in tackling this issue. Speedier response times should be a part of this.”

A TfL spokesperson said: “Fare evasion is a criminal offence and robs Londoners of investment in safe, clean and reliable public transport.

“That’s why we are strengthening our capability to deter and detect fare evaders, including expanding our team of professional investigators and using the latest technology to target the most prolific fare evaders across the network.

“Our data-driven strategy to tackle fare evasion is already making an impact, with the pan-TfL fare evasion rate dropping to 3.5% from 3.8% in 2023/24.”

A BTP spokesperson said: “No person on the rail network should ever be subjected to violence or abuse—especially rail staff who are simply doing their job.

“We remain committed to working with TfL and the Metropolitan Police to ensure a joined-up approach to protecting staff and passengers across London’s transport network. We encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses crime on the rail network to report it to us by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40. In an emergency, always call 999.”

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