Prosecutions for fare evasion on the London Underground have surged to their highest point in six years, as Transport for London (TfL) intensifies its campaign against ticket dodgers across the network.
Sharp Rise in Penalties and Prosecutions
New figures reveal a significant jump in enforcement action. Between April and November 2026, a total of 4,472 penalty fares were issued on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), a figure set to double compared to the 2,571 handed out in the year to March 2025.
On the Tube network itself, TfL issued a substantial 13,118 penalty fare notices and 850 written warnings during the 2024-2025 financial year to passengers caught avoiding payment at barriers. Penalty fares are set at £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 21 days.
Multi-Million Pound Crackdown on Evasion
The transport body has invested heavily in its efforts to clamp down on lost revenue. TfL stated it spent nearly £14.2 million tackling fare-dodging specifically on the Underground, with an additional £7.7 million invested in the bus network during 2023-24.
Siwan Hayward, TfL's Director of Security, Policing, and Enforcement, emphasised that while the "overwhelming majority" pay correctly, evasion is "unacceptable". She outlined a strengthened strategy: "We are strengthening our capability to deter and detect fare evaders, including expanding our team of professional investigators to target the most prolific fare evaders across the network."
Safety Risks and Wider Network Impact
The crackdown carries significant risks for staff. In 2023-24, there were more than 10,490 reports of work-related violence and aggression made by TfL workers – a 5% annual increase. Alarmingly, about half of these incidents occurred after staff approached fare evaders.
The issue gained political attention last year when Tory MP Robert Jenrick filmed himself apprehending fare dodgers. Enforcement spending on other lines like the Elizabeth Line, London Overground, and Tram network is not fully disclosed, as these services are operated by franchises which outsource their enforcement teams.
TfL maintains that its robust, multi-pronged strategy is essential to ensure vital revenue is protected and reinvested into London's transport network, supported by a team of over 500 uniformed officers deployed to tackle evasion and antisocial behaviour.
