c2c Trenitalia Recovers £130K in Fines as Crackdown on Fare Evasion Intensifies

East London and South Essex rail operator c2c Trenitalia has successfully reclaimed approximately £130,000 in fines and penalties this year, highlighting the effectiveness of its enhanced measures against fare evasion.

 

East London and South Essex rail firm c2c Trenitalia is reporting significant successes in its ongoing efforts to combat fare evasion, with around £130,000 collected in fines and penalty payments so far this year. This includes a notable case where a persistent offender was ordered to repay £10,000 in fares accrued since 2019.

Iain Palmer, c2c’s Head of Revenue Protection & Security, emphasized the importance of these efforts, stating, “Fare evasion is not only a criminal offense but also contributes significantly to anti-social behavior across the rail network. Our commitment to prosecuting those who cheat the system is unwavering.”

The company has ramped up its surveillance and enforcement by increasing the number of Revenue Protection officers on both trains and stations, particularly during off-peak times. This boost in personnel has enhanced c2c’s capability to monitor and address instances where passengers travel without valid tickets.

One recent incident involved a customer who was routinely traveling without a valid ticket for nearly five years. The individual was caught during a routine inspection at one of c2c’s London stations by a Revenue Protection officer and subsequently faced a hefty fine for the accumulated evasion.

Operating in close partnership with the British Transport Police, c2c’s teams are vigilant across the network every day, ensuring compliance from the first to the last trains. Their efforts in 2023 have led to over £315,000 being collected in penalty fares and fines.

Palmer adds, “Our approach to tackling fare evasion encompasses more than just issuing penalties. We utilize intelligence from our digital sales channels and ticket barriers to identify and address fare dodgers comprehensively.”

c2c offers a variety of ticketing options to meet the needs of all travelers, available through multiple channels including online, mobile app, ticket offices, and machines at stations.

Palmer concludes, “With the wide availability of purchasing options, there is absolutely no excuse for traveling on c2c without a valid ticket. We remain dedicated to ensuring fairness and security across our services.”