Almost 10% of station users were evading fares.
By James Brilliant and Hannah Pupkewitz
Renovations designed to stop the problem of fare evasion at Kensington Olympia overground station were finally completed last week.
TfL has spent over £500,000 tackling fare dodgers at the station, where 9% of users were evading fares compared to the city average of 2%.
The changes will prevent ticketless travelers from accessing the station, stopping London transport users from taking advantage of a pedestrian footpath to illegally enter the overground network.
TfL Director of London overground Mike Stubbs said: “These works have helped develop a better, more attractive station. The improved environment will help us tackle fare evasion and make travel more secure.”
New automatic ticket gates were installed and a previously existing bridge was split into a cross track pedestrian footpath and an overground passenger walkway as part of the renovation.
The new system separates overground users from other members of the public, preventing ticketless travel without affecting the station’s function as a through-route for pedestrians from Olympia Way to Russell Road.
According to TfL, data fare evasion is believed to cost Londoners £70m a year.
TfL spokesman Allan Ramsey said ticket barriers acted as a deterrent to fare evaders but that it is too soon to gage the impact of the renovations. He added that TfL’s policy is to now have ticket gatelines at all London Overground stations.
Those caught avoiding ticket fares on the overground network face an £80 penalty charge.
Photo courtesy of hugh llewelyn, with thanks.
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