Fare dodgers' fines to reach £50

Fare dodgers cost Londoners £70m a year

Fare dodgers on London's public transport will be fined £50, more than double the current penalty, Transport for London (TfL) has announced.

Currently the fine for evading paying for travel on buses, Tube trains, DLR and on London overground stands at £20.

Fare evasion costs the network and taxpayers £70m every year and the new penalty will be a greater deterrent, London Mayor Boris Johnson said.

The increased penalties come into effect from 11 January next year.

'Effective penalty'

TfL will also introduce an early payment incentive which will reduce the £50 penalty fare to £25, if paid within 21 days.

Mr Johnson, said: "Fare evasion costs Londoners £70m a year, which is money that belongs to all Londoners that should be invested in making the transport network better.

"We are investing record amounts in renewing the network, and it is only fair that those who travel on the tube or bus pay their way. "

Steve Burton, director of Community Safety, Enforcement and Policing, said: "We need to make the penalty fare more effective and the early payment reduction will encourage prompt payment."