Crackdown on fare dodgers by ScotRail
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ScotRail is cracking down on customers who dodge buying a ticket because of the reduction in front-line staff on trains, caused by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
So far, 533 people have been caught and, in one case, a businessman, who had taken 53 journeys over the course of a few months, was made to cough up £2300 in missed fares and a £30 daily administration fee.
Over the last few months 10,000 tickets have been confiscated via spot checks by mobile teams, with £17,600 levied against customers attempting to travel without paying.
ScotRail operates more than 350 stations across Scotland and only 17 are equipped with ticket barriers, making it relatively easy for passengers to get on and off without paying for all or part of their journey.
What they do not realise is the train operator’s CCTV cameras can prove where their journey began and then it is an easy task for staff to work out how much they owe.
All of the passengers who have been caught so far have paid up since the alternative is prosecution which, if successful, would leave them with a criminal record.
There has also been an increase in the number of verbal or physical assaults on staff who ask customers to pay for their ticket.
There have been joint operations with British Transport Police to crackdown on anti-social behaviour, focussing on specific areas across the network to provide additional support for ScotRail staff.
Phil Campbell, ScotRail's head of customer operations, said: “A minority of our customers are taking advantage of the fact that due to coronavirus restrictions we are unable to put ticket inspectors on our trains or at most of our stations.
“While most of the population is sticking to the rules, these passengers are using the cover of Covid to avoid paying for their ticket.
“Revenue on the railway is down by around 90 per cent due to the pandemic, so it’s vitally important that in order to give the best value to the taxpayer, we collect as many fares as possible.
“We have caught a number of repeat offenders and the message to anyone thinking of dodging their fare is simple. We are watching and we will catch you.”
