The UK government has announced major changes to ticket barriers at 18 train stations across the country as part of a multi-million pound crackdown on fare dodgers. The Department for Transport (DfT) revealed that £33.4 million in funding will be allocated to install taller, waist-high gates designed to prevent passengers from jumping over them.
Operators involved in the scheme
The funding will be shared among several train operators, including TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, Greater Anglia, Thameslink Southern Great Northern, and West Midlands Trains. Each operator will implement the new barriers at selected stations where they provide services.
According to the Rail Delivery Group, an industry body, at least £350 million to £400 million of annual fares revenue is lost to fraud and ticketless travel each year. The new barriers aim to reduce this significant revenue loss.
Government and industry response
Rail minister Lord Hendy stated: "Fare evasion is not a victimless crime – it undermines confidence in the railway and means passengers lose out on millions in revenue which should be invested to improve services for everyone. By stopping fare dodgers before they reach the platform, we’re protecting taxpayer cash, supporting investment in the network and ensuring the railway works better for the millions of passengers who do the right thing every day by paying their way."
The DfT described the selected stations as "fare dodger hotspots." Among them is Manchester Piccadilly, where TransPennine Express will implement the new barriers. Liverpool Lime Street is also on the list, along with stations at Stafford, Market Harborough, Nuneaton, and Tamworth.
Full list of stations receiving new barriers
Avanti West Coast will install ticket barriers at:
- Liverpool Lime Street
- Stafford
East Midlands Railway will install barriers at:
- Market Harborough
Greater Anglia will install barriers at:
- Hertford East
- Manningtree
- Rayleigh
- Ware
- Witham
Thameslink Southern Great Northern will install barriers at:
- Elephant and Castle
- Gipsy Hill
- Royston
- Stevenage
- Worthing
TransPennine Express will install barriers at:
- Manchester Piccadilly
West Midlands Trains will install barriers at:
- Nuneaton
- Tamworth
- Worcester Foregate Street
- Worcester Shrub Hill
The investment is part of a broader effort to improve revenue collection and enhance the passenger experience on the UK railway network.
