Will the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) see an increase in penalty fares? Recent data indicates that the number of penalty fares issued is projected to double this year.
As reported by Transport for London (TfL), between April and November 26, a total of 4,472 penalty fares were issued, in stark contrast to the 2,571 fares recorded in the year ending March 2025. This surge follows a 50 percent increase in revenue protection activities in 2025.
Fare Evasion Prosecutions Rise
This increase comes in the wake of fare evasion prosecutions on the Tube reaching a six-year high in 2024-25, with 13,118 penalty fare notices and 850 written warnings issued. TfL emphasized the seriousness with which they approach fare evasion, stating that it detracts from essential revenue needed to support a safe and reliable transport system.
During the 2023-24 period, the number of DLR penalty fares was recorded at 2,954, based on over 4.1 million contactless card checks conducted. In the current financial year, more than 3.1 million card checks have already taken place, marking an increase from 2.8 million checks in the previous year.
Details on Penalty Fares and Future Strategies
Penalty fares on the DLR are set at £100, which can be reduced to £50 if paid within 21 days. This information was disclosed following a Freedom of Information request.
Since the new franchise commenced in April 2025, inspections have been more frequent. Annual revenue protection exercises have risen to 540, with the target for contactless card checks increasing from 10 percent to 15 percent.
TfL has stated, „We have a multi-pronged strategy in place to reduce the risk of fare evasion and have set a target to halve the level of fare evasion by 2030.“ In previous reports, TfL revealed its spending of nearly £14.2 million to combat fare evasion across the Tube and £7.7 million on the bus network in 2023-24, resulting in £1.3 million collected in penalty charges.
Bildquelle: Foto von Igor Sporynin auf Unsplash
