Taller ticket barriers are set to be installed at several railway stations in and around London as part of a government crackdown on fare evasion, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced. The upgrades are part of a £33.4 million funding package that will be rolled out across England by six train operators.
New Barriers Designed to Stop Fare Dodgers
The new barriers feature taller paddle doors intended to prevent people from jumping over the gates. Additional waist-high barriers, similar to those used on the London Underground, will also be installed. 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.
The barriers will be installed at Elephant & Castle, Worthing, Gipsy Hill, Royston, and Stevenage stations, all served by Thameslink. Other operators benefiting from the funding include Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, Greater Anglia, TransPennine Express, and West Midlands Trains.
Minister Says Fare Evasion Is Not a Victimless Crime
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “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.”
He added that the government is delivering significant reform across railways in the lead-up to Great British Railways, creating a more accountable and modern railway to support jobs, growth, and homes.
Fare Evasion on TfL Network Also a Concern
Last year, the Standard reported that around 400,000 journeys on a typical weekday are evaded across the Transport for London (TfL) network, costing the body an estimated £200 million a year in income. TfL figures show that just over 69,000 fines were handed out in the year to the end of March—an annual increase of nine per cent. Penalty fares are £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 21 days.
TfL said 3.5 per cent of passengers across its network evade fares, which is “significantly lower than many cities globally,” but it aims to slash the figure to 1.5 per cent by 2030/31. TfL has not been included in the DfT’s latest round of funding for ticket barriers, but ministers say there is potential for further rollout across the UK in the future.
Timeline for Installation
The new ticket gates are expected to be installed by mid-2028, with the first phase of the rollout occurring in 2027.
