The UK Department for Transport (DfT) is rolling out taller ticket barriers at a number of railway stations across the country as part of a £33.4 million initiative to crack down on fare evasion. The DfT estimates that fare evasion puts up to £400 million in rail revenue at risk each year – money that could otherwise be invested in maintaining the network, improving onboard Wi-Fi, and upgrading rolling stock.
Train Operators and Station List
Six train operators will install the new barriers: Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, Greater Anglia, Thameslink, TransPennine, and West Midlands. The full list of stations includes:
- Stafford
- Liverpool Lime Street
- Market Harborough
- Witham
- Rayleigh
- Ware
- Hertford East
- Manningtree
- Royston
- Stevenage
- Elephant and Castle
- Worthing
- Gipsy Hill
- Manchester Piccadilly
- Tamworth
- Nuneaton
- Worcester Foregate Street
- Worcester Shrub Hill
Impact on Fare Evasion
The DfT hopes these taller barriers will make it more difficult for passengers to evade paying fares, potentially recovering millions of pounds in lost revenue. According to a DfT spokesperson, the investment is part of a broader effort to ensure that all passengers pay their fair share, which in turn supports better services and infrastructure improvements across the railway network.
