Published on: Monday, 14 January 2019
Last updated: Monday, 14 January 2019
Fare dodgers left court more than £12,000 worse off after Greater Anglia prosecuted people caught riding trains in Essex without tickets.
A total of 68 people were prosecuted at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on Monday 7 January, after they were caught without tickets on Greater Anglia trains on the Southend Victoria line.
Magistrates imposed fines of £7,782 and costs of £5,000 on 68 people who were accused of fare evasion. One defendant was given a 12-month Community Order, which included 250 hours of unpaid work.
The rail company only prosecutes people caught on trains without tickets and without any means or intention to pay for them.
Greater Anglia’s Commercial and Customer Service Director, Martin Moran, said: “It’s always cheaper to buy a ticket rather than pay a fine.
“For every £1 spent on rail fares, 98p is invested in the railway. By not paying for a ticket, there’s less money available for investment to improve the railway for everyone.
“We have a range of great value fares and offers available – especially if you book in advance - and there’s plenty of ways to buy a ticket including ticket offices, ticket machines, online, and on our app.”