Fare evaders on the capital’s transport network face a £50 penalty fare under a ‘stronger’ penalty regime which comes into effect from today.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced that evaders on the Bus, Tube, DLR and London Overground services will face a £50 penalty, up from £20. Following a public consultation the Penalty Fare on Tramlink will also rise to £50, from the current level of £30. The penalty will be reduced to £25 if it is paid within 21 days.
Fare dodgers will now be able to pay by debit or credit card as well as online, phone, cheque and postal order payments.
Mayor Johnson said: “Fare evasion costs Londoners £70 million a year, which is cash that belongs to all Londoners and that should rightfully be part of the record amount we are spending on improving our public transport. These changes to penalty fares will provide a far stronger deterrent to those unscrupulous individuals who would otherwise try to short-change their fellow passengers.”
Transport for London warns deliberate and persistent fare evaders that they risk prosecution which can lead to a criminal record and fines of up to £1,000.
