TfL steps up action against fare evasion as enforcement figures rise

Transport for London (TfL) has reported a significant increase in fare enforcement activity across the capital's transport network, with more penalty fares issued and prosecutions pursued as part of an ongoing effort to tackle fare evasion.

New figures show that 69,001 penalty fares were issued during the 2025/26 financial year, representing a 9% increase compared with the previous year. Passengers caught travelling without a valid ticket can be issued a £100 penalty fare, reduced to £50 if paid within 21 days.

The number of cases referred for potential prosecution also rose sharply. TfL recorded 21,533 reports for possible legal action during the year, an increase of 19% compared with the previous 12-month period.

The rise follows an expansion of enforcement operations across London's transport network. TfL said it carried out checks on 6.9 million contactless payment cards during the year, a 51% increase on previous levels.

Enforcement efforts have also resulted in a growing number of successful prosecutions. According to TfL, 14,406 fare evasion convictions were secured during 2025/26, almost 1,000 more than the previous year.

One recent case involved a passenger who continued using a bank card that had been banned from the network following previous breaches of TfL's conditions of use. The individual admitted to 181 offences and was ordered to pay £2,131.

Despite the scale of the enforcement programme, TfL estimates that fare evasion accounts for approximately 3.5% of journeys across its network. The organisation says this remains lower than levels reported in many other major cities around the world.

The transport authority has set a target of reducing fare evasion to 1.5% by 2030/31 as part of wider efforts to protect revenue and support investment in public transport services.

Siwan Hayward, TfL’s Director of Security, Policing and Enforcement, said:

“The overwhelming majority of customers pay the correct fare, and it’s unfair that a minority avoid paying.

“That’s why we are strengthening our capability to detect and deter fare evasion, as shown by the significant increases in enforcement activity across our network – from more customer ticket checks to more officers on the ground and higher levels of revenue recovered.

“Fare evasion is not a victimless crime. It robs Londoners of vital investment in a safe, frequent and reliable transport network.

“We are committed to ensuring that those who evade fares face the consequences of their actions, and that the cost of fare evasion is paid by the evaders, not our fare-paying customers.”

TfL says the additional enforcement measures form part of a broader strategy to safeguard income, support transport improvements and ensure fairness for the millions of passengers who pay the correct fare each day.