Fare dodgers cost operators £35m a year

Fare evasion is costing London's three busiest mainline commuter operators more than £35 million a year, it emerged today.

South Eastern Trains, formerly Connex, last year prosecuted 4,000 passengers who had "deliberately and persistently" not paid for tickets. The company was awarded costs of £356,000.

For what is believed to be the first time, a fare dodger was jailed - for three months - after being caught three times in one weekend in Bromley.

The biggest debt of £20 million is owed to South West Trains, which covers the largest franchise area in the UK. South Eastern Trains loses £10million a year and South Central, which includes the Brighton line, loses about £5 million.

All three companies have conducted publicity campaigns encouraging passengers to pay, but have to deal with a "hard core". The firms pursue a policy that staff should not endanger themselves by challenging fare dodgers, but police will be called and offenders will be pursued through the courts.