Transport for London (TfL) has cracked down hard on fare dodgers this year, issuing a staggering total of 61,363 Penalty Fare Notices (PFNs) across the capital's transport network in 2025. The scale of the enforcement action was revealed through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
Revealed: The Scale of Fare Evasion in London
The figures, requested on November 24, 2025, provide a monthly breakdown from April 1, 2024, to November 8, 2025. To present the most accurate picture for the current year, analysis has been conducted from December 8, 2024 onwards. The resulting total of 61,363 fines is a number so large it is roughly equivalent to 42 per cent of the population of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, based on the 2021 Census.
Enforcement activity has fluctuated significantly throughout the year. The period witnessing the peak of fines issued was between June 22 and July 19, 2025, when a whopping 6,080 PFNs were handed out. In contrast, the quietest period for fare evasion penalties was between December 8, 2024, and January 4, 2025, which saw 2,745 notices issued.
TfL's Multi-Pronged Strategy to Protect Revenue
While the exact revenue generated from these fines is difficult to calculate—as penalties can escalate to £1,000 in certain cases—TfL emphasises that every unpaid fare represents lost investment. A spokesperson stated: “We take fare evasion extremely seriously. It takes away vital revenue from us that should be invested in a safe, reliable transport network to keep London moving.”
The transport body has a clear target: to halve the level of fare evasion by 2030. To achieve this, it employs a multi-pronged strategy spearheaded by a team of over 500 revenue inspectors. These inspectors operate across the network day and night, checking tickets and penalising offenders.
Technology and Intelligence on the Front Line
TfL's approach is increasingly sophisticated. The spokesperson added: “Our team... [is] using new technology and intelligence to identify anyone travelling without the correct ticket or payment for the journey they are making.” This constant vigilance underscores the financial importance of fare compliance to the running and improvement of London's essential transport services.
The FOI request itself highlights public interest in TfL's operations. Such requests can be made by anyone, provided the cost of gathering the information does not exceed £450.
