Member Article

Technology to tackle train cheats

New technology is being introduced on the Tyne and Wear Metro system to help clamp down on fare cheats. Operator Nexus is to become one of the first in the country to use hand-held computers linked to a database containing details of previous evaders.

This will allow inspectors to check the addresses and signatures of fare dodgers, and find out if they have a record of evasion. Each handheld can issue £20 penalty fare demands at the touch of a button, so as well as flagging up repeat offenders, the computers will save inspectors time in dealing with paperwork. In addition, they can prevent people from giving false details to inspectors as the new devices can carry out an immediate electoral role check, and store a person’s description and a digital copy of their signature.

Metro director, Mick Carbro, said: “We have a new weapon in the battle against fare evasion and I’m delighted that we are the first railway operator in UK to use this system. “It means that if you’ve been caught cheating your fare in the last three years we’ll know that the next time we stop you, and if you are a prolific cheat we can choose to send you straight to court, rather than letting you escape with a £20 penalty fare. “This equipment will really revolutionise how we deal with fare evasion and that’s good for fare-paying passengers, because those who travel without a ticket cheat the law-abiding majority by depriving Metro of income.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .