Train fare dodgers are facing rigorous new checks as part of a crackdown on rail fraud, with measures designed to stop chronic free-loaders who cost the taxpayer £350 million every year.
Under the new plans, railcard users must complete a 'simple validation check' to prove they are entitled to discounted travel. They will have to enter their railcard number online or scan it when buying tickets at a station. A government source said the system would eventually form part of a single Great British Railways app.
The Department for Transport expects validation alone to save around £20 million a year. A second major change involves refund fraud, tightening the window for claiming money back on unused tickets. From April 1, unused tickets will only be eligible for a refund until 23.59 on the day of travel.
The move follows high-profile scams, including two students jailed for tricking a train company into paying around £140,000 in compensation for delayed trains they never travelled on. The government has also confirmed plans for a consolidated 'Delay Repay' service to make legitimate claims easier, allowing commuters to claim through Great British Railways or third-party retailers like Trainline.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the changes were necessary to help with freezing fares and 'delivering train and station upgrades, rather than losing out to fare dodgers and fraud.' However, economist Richard Wellings said the government was focusing on trivial issues rather than 'bloated bureaucracy, crony contractors and ruthless rail unions' that he claims are 'literally leeching billions from taxpayers every year.'
