Rail operator Northern is set to reinvest £2m into passenger experience and rolling stock improvements, recouped from prosecuting fare evasion on the operator’s network.
The investment shows the different ways in which operators can work to find alternative revenue streams to spend with the supply chain on improving stations and facilities.
Around 90,000 instances of attempted fare evasion were reported in 2021-2022 with 53,000 of these being issued with a formal penalty fare.
Over 11,000 of the worst offenders were successfully prosecuted by the rail operator in 2021-2022.
In this time Northern has been able recover a total of £2,077,559 following the prosecutions.
The rail operator will look to use this money to help improve station facilities for passengers and its trains.
It will be hoped that in turn this can help boost reliability and the service provided to all its passengers.
Mark Powles, Customer and Commercial Director at Northern commented on the positive work that can be done with the recovered funds.
Mr Powles said: “This money recovered can now be reinvested in making the rail network better for all our customers.
“[This includes] improvements to trains, stations and other passenger facilities.
“Customers have a duty to buy a ticket for travel before they board a train.
“Unfortunately, a small number of people deliberately try to ‘fare evade’.
“We have a responsibility to pursue those so that fare paying passengers… are not subsidising the cost of travel for those who do not pay their fare.”
This is just one of the ways that Northern are looking to improve passenger experience and reduce its impact on the environment.
This news follows on from Northern’s recent introduction of its ‘When it’s read it’s Blue’ recycling scheme.
The scheme encourages passengers across Northern’s network to think about how they can recycle waste more carefully.
Featured image - Northern
