• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MayorWatch

London News and Comment

  • NEWS
  • Twitter

‘Wave & Pay’ fare dodgers treated more leniently than others

October 17, 2013 - Martin Hoscik@MayorWatch

Contactless cardholders are less likely to be fined or prosecuted than other fare dodgers,
Contactless cardholders are less likely to be fined or prosecuted than other fare dodgers,
An agreement between London Buses and the banks means fare dodgers in possession of contactless debit or credit cards could escape sanction.

Last December Transport for London introduced the ability to use the cards to pay for single bus journeys at the reduced Oyster rate.

A TfL report into fare evasion reveals the body agreed to take a “light touch” approach to contactless card holders dodging their fares and instead focus “on corrective instruction rather than enforcement action.”

This contrasts with the automatic use of enforcement action, including penalty fares, for all other passengers found without a valid ticket.

Although TfL’s policy ”is to treat the bulk of first offences as genuine errors”, passengers without a contactless bank card will be subject to a penalty or, if considered to be deliberately evading the fare, prosecution.

The report states “TfL has yet to establish likely levels of fare evasion” by holders of contactless cards although it is hoped the cards will reduce evasion “due to the requirement placed on passengers to provide their card for inspection and thus making the job of establishing the individual’s identity simpler.”

The report reveals that while the level of fare dodging is falling, public perception is that TfL is doing less to combat it.

Just 44 per cent of those polled by TfL believed penalty fares are “well enforced”, down from 56% in 2012.

This fall is described as “concerning” and is attributed to a reduced number of revenue protection officers and fewer “high profile operations on articulated bus routes which tended to attract additional attention from passengers and media outlets.”

Instead of high profile operations, TfL has adopted an “intelligence led“ approach which is credited with driving down fare evasion despite a 20% reduction in the number of dedicated inspectors over the past three years.

London Assembly Member Darren Johnson said TfL must treat all passengers equally, including those trying to dodge fares.

The Green Party AM said: “The introduction of wave and pay technology on London’s transport network is to be welcomed. However, TfL must ensure that all passengers are treated equally if they attempt to travel without paying.”

“Preventing a loss of revenue through fare dodging should have been a key consideration in the design and roll out of this technology so today’s revelations that TfL have decided to go easy on wave and pay fare dodgers will be unwelcome news to Oyster users who are subject to automatic sanctions including penalty fares if caught without a ticket.

“I would urge TfL to take an even-handed approach and ensure that enforcement action is evenly applied.”

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Tagged With: Contactless Fares, Fares

RECENT UPDATES

852 new homes to be built in Acton by Transport for London

HGV operators in London urged to apply for a Direct Vision Standard permit

TfL proposes bus and tube cuts and annual fares increases to achieve long-term financial sustainability

London’s entire bus fleet now meets ULEZ emissions standards




Popular

1,700 extra Santander Cycles are coming to London’s streets

TfL confirms changes to Older Person’s Freedom Pass and 60+ Oyster card hours

TfL fares to rise in return for £1.6bn Government rescue package

Election for Mayor of London and London Assembly postponed until 2021

FEATURED

City Hall to move to Docklands as Mayor seeks to raise £55m for frontline services

‘Concern’ over TfL’s ability to deliver major projects in wake of Crossrail cost overruns

City Hall halts London Overground ticket office closures but many will still see opening hours reduced

Transport for London confirms bus cuts will go ahead despite passenger opposition

GOT A STORY?

As the original London news and scrutiny site we've been casting an eye over the capital's public services and politicians since 1999.

 

Many of our top stories started with a tip-off from a reader - if you've got something you'd like us to cover get in touch and we'll do the rest.

Stay In Touch

  • E-mail
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2021 MayorWatch Publications Limited · MayorWatch is Registered Trademark · All Rights Reserved · Contact Us · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy

MayorWatch Publications Limited · 20-22 Wenlock Road · London N1 7GU · Company Number 6291816

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.