The penalty for fare evasion on the Tyne and Wear Metro has now increased to £100, with commuters largely supporting the change.
From today anyone without a valid Metro ticket will have to pay a £100 penalty fare. Previously passengers found without a valid ticket would receive a £20 penalty.
But despite the steep increase in the penalty fee, a survey conducted by Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, found that 72% of people supported the increase. And 88% of people surveyed said that other passengers were the ones who were the real victims of ticketless Metro travel.
Read more: Vatican launches investigation into alleged lockdown sex party at Newcastle cathedral
The survey, conducted through Nexus' customer insight panel revealed that respondents regard fared evasion as seriously as handling stolen goods, tax evasion or weighing a cheaper item at a self-serve check-out.
It increased penalty fare comes after The Department for Transport (DfT) decided to raise the penalty for rail fare evasion in England and Wales as part of a new effort to crackdown on fare evasion across Britain's railways. Metro is part of the Government's national penalty fare regime, so it is included in the change.
Fare evasion on Metro costs Nexus £1m a year in lost revenue on what is a vital public service which does not make any profit.
Customer Services Director at Nexus, Huw Lewis, said: "The penalty for fare evasion on Metro has gone up to £100 from today and this is something that the overwhelming majority of our customers support.
"This is the first change since 2005 and reflects feedback from customers who want to see a strong deterrent against fraud. Anyone who is issued with a £100 penalty fare will pay £50 if it is paid with 21 days of it being issued.
"The Government consulted the whole rail industry and Nexus was among those keen to see an increase. Our customers tell us they want tougher penalties for those who decide not to pay their fare.
"The simple message for Metro customers is to buy a ticket every time you travel, that is a lot more affordable than risking the £100 fine.
"It's never been easier to pay for Metro travel with a Pop Pay As You Go card and Android's Google Pay. One in four customers are now accessing Metro this way and getting the lowest fares we have on offer."
Nexus has already rolled out a hard-hitting marketing campaign on Metro stations and trains to warn customers of the value in paying their fares on every single journey.
The penalty for Metro fare evasion, which is always set by the Government, has been £20 since May 2005.
If paid within 21 days, however, the £100 penalty is reduced to £50. But anyone who fails to pay the penalty fare will be taken to court, where a conviction results in much steeper fines.
Nexus has withdrawn the facility for customers to Metro penalty fares on the spot. Card payments will instead be taken online here or by calling Nexus' 24-hour automated payment line on 0191 814 7699.
Customers can still pay Metro penalty fares in person at the reception at South Gosforth Metro Control Centre or by post Customer Relations, Metro Control Centre, Station Road, South Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 1YT. Cheque or Postal Orders made payable to 'Nexus', with the Penalty Fare Notice enclosed.
Read next:
