A train company says ticket inspectors will use new technology to check fare dodgers' most common excuse for not paying. Northern said 'the ticket machine wasn't working' is the go-to explanation for those unable to present a valid ticket.
It is now bringing in a new app to allow conductors to check the status of over 600 self-service machines on its network. It will show staff is a machine is ‘active’ and issuing tickets.
Northern says it will be a "crucial tool" in its use of penalty fares as it tries to minimise the number of people dodging buying tickets across its 2,000 services a day. Fare evaders are prosecuted under the Regulation of Railways Act 1889 and the Railway Byelaws made pursuant to the Transport Act 2000.
