Transport for London (TfL) has announced a major new strategy to halve fare evasion across all services by 2030, with measures that will directly affect stations like Harrow-on-the-Hill, where residents have recently voiced growing concerns about the problem.
As part of the plan, TfL is expanding its team of professional investigators to target the most persistent fare evaders. These officers will use data analysis, CCTV, and travel history to identify individuals who repeatedly avoid paying. The initiative builds on work already undertaken on the London Underground and will soon be rolled out across the Elizabeth line and London Overground.
The move comes in response to increasing fare evasion across the network, including at key Harrow stations. Members of the Harrow Online Facebook Group have reported a rise in people pushing through barriers at Harrow-on-the-Hill without paying.
One person posted, “I was at Harrow on the Hill station today waiting for my brother and the amount of people I see coming in and out and pushing the disabled gates is ridiculous. Every train that came in at least 5 people per train pushed through the barriers and they don’t care! Inbound, there were so many – I saw a whole family doing it. I am starting to think if they can’t pay their fair, why do we have to?”
Another resident recently commented, “Didn’t realise you just push the barrier open at the (Harrow on the Hill) train station and don’t have to have a ticket. I saw so many people just doing this today. Apparently it’s normal.”
The new strategy is already showing signs of success. TfL reports that fare evasion across the network dropped to 3.4% in 2024/25, down from 3.8% the previous year. However, the annual cost of evasion remains high at around £130 million.
TfL’s Director of Security, Policing, and Enforcement, Siwan Hayward, said: “The overwhelming majority of customers pay the correct fare, and it’s unfair to those who do that a minority avoid paying. We are strengthening our capability to deter and detect fare evaders ensuring they face the consequences of their actions and that the cost of fare evasion is paid by the evaders, not our fare paying customers or taxpayers. Fare evasion is not a victimless crime. It robs Londoners of vital investment in a safe, frequent and reliable transport network and we are committed to reducing the current rate of fare evasion to 1.5 per cent by 2030.”
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan echoed the message, adding: “Fare evasion is a criminal offence which deprives TfL of thousands of pounds of vital revenue every year that could be reinvested in London’s transport network. That’s why we’re expanding our team of professional investigators to cover the whole network and investing in the latest technology to target the worst offenders. It sends a clear message: fare evasion will not be tolerated, and we will hold those who do it to account.”
TfL has also increased the number of uniformed enforcement officers across the network and introduced new measures like enhanced monitoring, targeted station operations, and a focus on people who use contactless cards to dodge fares.
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
For news tips, press releases or enquiries, contact Chris at info@harrowonline.org.
