#fare-evasion

#fare-evasion

A man described as one of Britain's most prolific train fare dodgers is facing prison after admitting to 112 convictions for failing to pay for tickets. Charles Brohiri, 29, pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court to evading more than 3,000 in fares on Govia Thameslink services over a period spanning nearly two years, concluding last November. Dressed in all black, Mr Brohiri entered dozens of guilty pleas, repeating the word "guilty" in a soft, low voice as each charge was read out by the court legal adviser. The process reportedly took around 20 minutes.

Fare evasion is set to get harder on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) as the operator steps up ticket inspections on trains. As most of the DLR stations don't have ticket barriers, there's a certain level of trust that people tend to do the right thing and pay for transport, and the vast majority do pay to take a ride on the DLR.

New Yorkers may soon hear a new question during their commute-and it will sound a little more Berlin than Bronx: "Can you show me your phone or your OMNY card?" The MTA has announced plans to roll out a "European-style" fare inspection system aboard city buses, replacing NYPD enforcement with civilian agents, in its latest effort to curb fare evasion.

New York City's buses are in crisis, and have been for a long time. In the year 2000, MTA buses carried 699 million passengers per year. Even as New York City has grown over the last quarter-century, gaining 470,000 new residents, bus ridership has dropped by 41 percent, to 409 million. Fare evasion is rampant. Over one-third of passengers refuse to pay, costing the MTA $568 million in 2024. Nearly one-third of buses run late.

The hooded man was seen flouting several TfL byelaws when he rode his bike through the underground corridors at Bank station, weaving in and out of commuters making their way on foot. He then carried the bike which is banned from services in and out of the station, as well as most Underground lines up the escalators and stairs. When he reached the ticket barriers, station staff in orange hi-vis jackets can be seen congregating on the other side.

During an Aug. 30 visit to the station, just days after the barriers and half-moon sleeves were installed, amNewYork observed that no one jumped the turnstiles. Two uniformed NYPD officers were standing guard at the time. amNewYork observed a continual parade of straphangers entering the station, many about to jump the newly sleeved and spiked turnstiles before stopping in their tracks after noticing the officers. A line of straphangers then formed at the MetroCard vending machine to refill their cards.

Subway crime dropped 8% last month compared to the same period in 2024, making it the lowest level for any July since 1995, MTA officials said.

An off-duty policewoman faced violence when she confronted fare dodgers at Wood Green Tube station, including being punched, kicked, and having a drink thrown at her.

The report highlights that inconsistent treatment for ticketing issues leaves passengers vulnerable to prosecution, even for honest mistakes, undermining trust in the railway system.

Transit cops apprehended fare evader Hugh Hyde at a Manhattan subway station, discovering a loaded firearm in his backpack, highlighting ongoing transit crime issues.

TfL's focus on fare evasion aims to reduce current rates from 3.4% to 1.5% by 2030, affirming a commitment to fair travel for all.