A crackdown on fare evasion by Metrolink which is supported by the police through the TravelSafe Partnership has seen impressive results reporting a drop of a third since its introduction in October 2023.
The plan to curb fare evasion has seen an increase in the penalty fare from £100 to £120 alongside the recruitment of a further 50 Customer Service Representatives which supports more KeolisAmey Metrolink staff undertaking ticket inspections.
The hard-working teams inspect five million tickets each year of which Metrolink fines 100,000 evaders and also sees a further 5,000 subjected to court action due to non-payment.
The Customer Service Representatives are also using new devices to inspect tickets which can easily identify continual fare evaders. Thanks to this improvement in technology, Metrolink are now able to create a further £2 million net revenue each year which will be reinvested into the network to support better travel experience for customers.
Figures have revealed that fare evasion sat at 10.6% during January 2024, which has dropped from more than 16% reported in July 2023.
The figures below demonstrate the number of standard fares (penalty fares) charged by Metrolink since 2019:
- 2019 to 2020 – 31,980
- 2020 to 2021 – 15,371 (lower number due to lockdown and social distancing preventing revenue protection activity)
- 2021 to 2022 – 41165
- 2022 to 2023 – 54156
- 2023 to 6th of Jan 2024 – 67545
Fare evasion is something we take very seriously and while most people who travel by tram do so legally by purchasing a ticket, there are some who continue to think the rules do not apply to them.
Since implementing our new plan to tackle fare evasion last year, we're seeing hugely positive results. We have more people than ever checking tickets, and that higher visibility not only provides a deterrent to those ignoring the rules but also helps provide that reassurance to passengers.
Danny Vaughan, Transport for Greater Manchester's Head of Metrolink
I am incredibly proud of our staff on the frontline who are making a real difference in tackling fare evasion on Metrolink.
“We know that our customers have welcomed the increased staff presence, which has also helped us grow patronage to pre-Covid levels.
“But there is still plenty of work to do, and that is why KAM is working closely with TfGM to see how we can build on what we've achieved so that fare compliance can continue to improve.
Damien Chabas, Managing Director of KAM
These results show that we are making significant progress in tackling fare evasion head on.
“By increasing the number of staff out on the Metrolink network, and introducing improved ticket checking technology, we are sending a clear message: if you travel on Metrolink without paying, there's a real chance you'll be fined up to £120 and could be prosecuted. It's simply not worth the risk.
“The plan to protect revenue across Metrolink and buses will continue to be a real focus for us so that we can reinvest in building the Bee Network and improving transport services for the people and businesses of Greater Manchester.
“I want to thank everyone at Metrolink, TfGM, bus operators and the TravelSafe Partnership for all their hard work in tackling fare evasion.”
Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester
I wonder: Is this reduction due to people buying tickets where they wouldn’t have done so in the past, or are those people just not travelling on Metrolink now for fear of getting caught?
Either way, it’s a promising trend and I hope it continues to keep reducing the number of fare-evaders/thieves!