See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy JAKE HOLDEN, UK NEWS REPORTER Published: 13:10 BST, 15 July 2026 | Updated: 13:13 BST, 15 July 2026
Extra-tall ticket barriers will be installed at railway stations to guard against fare dodgers in a new crackdown that hopes to recoup the £400million-a-year loss to evaders.It will cost £33.4million to do it, however, and will see higher gates in 'fare dodger hotspots' and the introduction of more standard waist-high gates where they are currently missing, the Department for Transport (DfT) said.At least £350million to £400million is lost to fraud and ticketless travellers every year, the industry body Rail Delivery Group estimated, prompting the crackdown investment.The taller barriers will be deployed at the train hopping 'hotspots' at Liverpool Lime Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Elephant and Castle, Stafford, Stevenage, Worthing, Nuneaton and Tamworth, among several others.New tall barriers have already been installed at High Wycombe station in Buckinghamshire by rail operator Chiltern Railways in an attempt to stop people jumping over them.They are also more resistant to being pushed open to stop passengers forcing their way onto the platform without a ticket.Overhead sensors have also been added to ensure only one passenger passes through the gates when they open. New taller barriers have been installed at High Wycombe station (pictured) with recording sensors and tougher mechanisms to stop passengers barging through It is estimated £400million is lost to fare dodgers with the current waist-high barriers. £33.4million will now be invested by the government to install more tall turnstiles to 'fare dodger hotspots' and to bring in more standard ones where they are missingThese sensors will detect tailgating and record the event, providing operators with data so they can target fare evaders more accurately alongside police, according to Ian Visits.The Rail Minister, Lord Peter Hendy, said: 'Fare evasion is not a victimless crime - it undermines confidence in the railway and means passengers lose out on millions in revenue, which should be invested to improve services for everyone.'By stopping fare dodgers before they reach the platform, we’re protecting taxpayer cash, supporting investment in the network and ensuring the railway works better for the millions of passengers who do the right thing every day by paying their way.'The rollout of the new gates is expected to begin in the first half of next year and be completed by mid-2028.The barriers will include QR code scanners, paper ticket readers, and contactless tap-in, tap-out journeys where supported. Other stations included in the scheme are Market Harborough, Witham, Rayleigh, Ware, Hertford East, Manningtree, Royston, Gipsy Hill, Worcester Foregate Street, and Worcester Shrub Hill.The changes span several rail operators, including Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, Greater Anglia, Thameslink Southern Great Northern, TransPennine Express and West Midlands Trains.The changes come as part of a wider project to improve ticketing and prevent fraud, which will also see passengers being able to claim Delay Repay compensation directly from wherever they buy their ticket, streamlining the process.Contactless pay-as-you-go travel technology is also being extended across the network to the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.There is also a new GBR train app on the way, which will allow passengers to buy tickets and check train times.
