Fare dodgers accused of ‘having it easy’ at Havering TfL Tube and rail stations

Fare dodgers are accused of “having it easy” as figures show ticket barriers at some of Havering stations are left open and unmanned.

Costly fare dodging on the Tube is being made easier with ticket barriers being left open at unmanned stations, a politician has warned.

Transport for London (TfL) figures show Upminster Bridge was Havering’s worst offender in June and July with gates left open 21 per cent of the time.

The statistic is well above the 6.91pc average figure for open barriers across the whole network, along with Havering’s other stations Hornchurch, open 12.51pc, and Elm Park, open 7.91pc.

Data compiled by London Assembly Member Tom Copley (Lab) showed TfL’s latest figures recorded losses of £61.47 million a year due to fare evasion on the Tube.

While technical faults can cause gates to be left open, TfL rules state if no staff are available to help passengers on the gateline, barriers must be left open.

Mr Copley said: “The increasing trend for barriers to be left open is making life easy for fare dodgers.”

He warned TfL’s plan to cut 950 station staff could exacerbate the problem and lead to millions more pounds in fares being lost.

Steve Burton, TfL’s director of enforcement and on-street operations, said: “We take fare evasion of any kind extremely seriously and communicate the consequences of being caught without a valid ticket.

“For every journey, customers must have a valid ticket or tap in and out using Oyster or a contactless payment card – even if the ticket barriers are open.”