Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2005 16:19:41 GMT
From the BBC Website
Fare evaders in London could be fined up to £50 and persistent offenders issued with Asbos under new plans.
Transport for London (TfL) is consulting on a private bill that will go before Parliament in November.
Last year it raised the fine from £10 to £20. If the new legislation is given the go-ahead it will rise to £50.
The bill will also give TfL the power to apply for Asbos for persistent fare evaders, which the organisation says cost it £70m a year.
The Metropolitan Police (Met), the British Transport Police (BTP) and local councils can already apply for Asbos.
Speaking about the fare rise, TfL's Steve Burton said: "We want fare evaders to know that dodging their fare will no longer be an easy option.
"The majority of our customers pay the correct fare. A small minority don't and this costs TfL approximately £70m a year - money which could be spent improving London's transport network."
London TravelWatch, which represents passengers, is meeting on Tuesday to discuss the plans.
But chairman Brian Cooke said they would probably support them as there would be a 50% discount offered to those who paid fines within 21 days.
"We believe far dodging is at too high a level," he told the BBC News website.
"The increase is only from £20 to £25 for those who pay promptly and it will save TfL an awful lot of money in 'chase-up' costs, because it will encourage people to pay promptly."
But Lib Dem London Assembly member Geoff Pope said just one in 600 people were caught fare dodging and numbers willing to take the risk were increasing.
Fare evaders in London could be fined up to £50 and persistent offenders issued with Asbos under new plans.
Transport for London (TfL) is consulting on a private bill that will go before Parliament in November.
Last year it raised the fine from £10 to £20. If the new legislation is given the go-ahead it will rise to £50.
The bill will also give TfL the power to apply for Asbos for persistent fare evaders, which the organisation says cost it £70m a year.
The Metropolitan Police (Met), the British Transport Police (BTP) and local councils can already apply for Asbos.
Speaking about the fare rise, TfL's Steve Burton said: "We want fare evaders to know that dodging their fare will no longer be an easy option.
"The majority of our customers pay the correct fare. A small minority don't and this costs TfL approximately £70m a year - money which could be spent improving London's transport network."
London TravelWatch, which represents passengers, is meeting on Tuesday to discuss the plans.
But chairman Brian Cooke said they would probably support them as there would be a 50% discount offered to those who paid fines within 21 days.
"We believe far dodging is at too high a level," he told the BBC News website.
"The increase is only from £20 to £25 for those who pay promptly and it will save TfL an awful lot of money in 'chase-up' costs, because it will encourage people to pay promptly."
But Lib Dem London Assembly member Geoff Pope said just one in 600 people were caught fare dodging and numbers willing to take the risk were increasing.
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