A £33.4 million investment is set to revolutionise ticket checks at England's busiest railway stations, tackling a scourge of rail fare evasion that costs the industry up to £400m annually. The government-backed initiative will see new, hi-tech gates installed in key locations where passengers have previously dodged fares.
The move is part of a broader effort to reform Britain's railways and make them fairer for all users. Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy has made it clear that fare evasion not only harms the industry financially but also erodes public trust and diverts funds from vital upgrades to trains and stations.
Key features of the new gates include digital scanning capabilities, allowing passengers with electronic tickets or mobile payments to 'tap in' and 'tap out', making travel seamless and convenient. This follows a wider push to simplify ticketing and combat fraud on the network, including plans unveiled earlier this year to enable passengers to claim Delay Repay compensation directly through their ticket vendor.
The first phase of the rollout is expected during the first half of 2027, with full delivery anticipated by mid-2028. The participating train operators set to benefit from this investment include Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, Greater Anglia, Thameslink Southern Great Northern, TransPennine Express, and West Midlands Trains.
By tackling fare evasion at its source, the government aims to safeguard taxpayers' money and channel funds into vital improvements for legitimate passengers. The new gates are designed with modern passenger needs in mind, offering flexibility and ease of use, which is set to make a significant difference to rail travel across England.