Millions of Taxpayer Money Recovered from Railway Fare Dodgers

Published on: 24 May, 2025
Updated on: 28 May, 2025

By Esme Campbell

Taxpayer money totalling £3.4 million was recovered by South Western Railway (SWR) revenue protection work in the 2024 financial year, the company revealed.

Around seven million of the 152 million annual journeys taken on SWR are made without a valid ticket, costing the network nearly £40 million a year.

This figure amounts to over £240 million each year for the whole rail industry, according to the Rail Delivery Group.

When asked, 76 per cent of Brits said those who deliberately avoid paying the correct fare are exploiting the system and believe it’s unfair to paying customers, research from the train operator reveals.

The poll of 2,000 UK adults, conducted by YouGov, also found that 68 per cent disapprove of intentional fare evasion, saying it’s a serious problem that should be penalised. A consequent 67 per cent thought railway companies should do more to catch deliberate fare dodgers.

Peter Williams, customer and commercial director at SWR said: “Most customers on our network pay the correct fare and we understand genuine mistakes happen.

“But, there’s growing evidence of some systematically abusing the system – a criminal offence that deprives the railway of hundreds of millions of pounds each year.

“We have a responsibility to protect revenue from tickets so that money can be reinvested into delivering the best possible service.”

Responses to Millions of Taxpayer Money Recovered from Railway Fare Dodgers

M Durant Reply

May 25, 2025 at 12:08 am

Instead of focusing solely on fare evasion, perhaps the real question should be: why are train fares so high that many people simply can’t afford them?

For some, skipping fares is a criminal act; for others, it’s a necessity or even a form of protest. Expensive fares trap people in their areas, restricting movement and opportunity.

I haven’t used the train in months it’s costly and overcrowded. London has become too expensive to visit, so I just drive elsewhere.

We need reliable, affordable trains for everyone.
J Holt Reply

May 27, 2025 at 6:23 pm

Can someone clarify the beginning of the second paragraph?

“Around seven million of the £152 million annual journeys”

Is this 7 million pounds out of £152 million or 7 million journeys out of 152 million journeys?

Editor’s response: This was an editing error. It should have read: “…seven million of the 152 million annual journeys taken…”. The article has now been corrected. Thank you for pointing it out.
Warren Gill Reply

May 31, 2025 at 8:45 am

It’s not hard to cheat the railway out of money around Guildford, Ash, Farncombe, as they’re all unbarriered.

Kids and adults alike use the passimeter bridge at Guildford railway station, under the guise of using a bridge pass to cross to the other side. While some are honest, there’s a substantial amount of users who use the bridge pass and then board a train with no intention of buying a ticket.

This is particularly prevalent for travel between Guildford, Ash, Aldershot (where they simply vault the fences), London Road and Farncombe stations where they just exit or, if a ticket block is on at Farncombe open the anti trespass gate on the end of the platform and walk off down the track to the Farncombe East crossing.

The same applies to the Ascot – Aldershot line where you can also throw in drug and substance abuse as well.

I know the scams as I used to work on BR/SWT/SWR.