Local rail operator c2c Railway is tackling fare evasion through its industry-recognised Not Worth the Gamble campaign.
The Not Worth the Gamble campaign highlights the consequences of fare evasion, which is a criminal offence that costs the rail industry around £240 million a year and encourages customers to buy the correct ticket for their journey before they travel.
c2c is now part of GBR Anglia, which brings together the leadership of c2c, Greater Anglia and Network Rail Anglia under a single, unified structure.
Iain Palmer, Head of Revenue Protection & Security, c2c, said: “Fare evasion is a criminal offence that costs the rail industry millions of pounds each year, with the burden ultimately falling on customers and taxpayers.
“Our message is simple: buy the correct ticket before you travel. We will continue working hard across the c2c network to identify fare evasion and ensure those responsible, rather than paying customers, face the consequences.”
There is no excuse not to purchase a ticket before you travel and c2c strives to ensure that fare evaders themselves, not fare or taxpayers, pay the cost of fare evasion. Tickets can be purchased via the c2c app, website, ticket offices or one of more than 50 ticket machines across the network.
c2c officially launched the campaign in 2024 at Fenchurch Street station with TV presenter Ortis Deley helping to bring the message to life. Since its launch, the campaign has grown into a recognised part of c2c’s approach to tackling fare evasion, combining an engaging public facing message with a serious focus of protecting railway revenue. Its impact has since been recognised across a number of industry awards, underlining the the strength and effectiveness of the campaign.
Steve Knights, head of commercial revenue, commented: “Our Not Worth the Gamble campaign is aimed at reducing fare evasion and ensuring that customers purchase the correct tickets. Through new technology and data trends, we are better able to identify offenders and demonstrate that fare evasion really is not worth the gamble.”
Over the 26 stations and trains along the c2c route have been fitted with more than 2,000 CCTV units, to ensure there’s nowhere to hide. Further investment in bespoke technology has also been made to highlight patterns in ticketing and passenger data, identifying people who avoided paying for all or part of their journey.
Intelligence provided by digital sales channels and ticket barriers helps to identify passengers without a valid ticket for the entirety of their journey. Speed is also vital, so when a suspect is under investigation, revenue protection officers can now track a passenger in real time.
Each revenue protection officer has access to a body-worn video camera to gain further evidence and to reduce levels of anti-social behaviour. They are also highly trained to spot customer’s activity and see if they’re ‘short faring’, i.e. travelling further than the ticket they’ve bought. The rail firm’s team has been provided with revenue devices which can check the cost of the purchase and the time of the purchase, ensuring passengers have opted for the right ticket, before they stepped on the train.
As part of the campaign, new visual imagery will be seen across the c2c route to deter fare evasion and remind customers of the risks.
Image credit: c2c
