Nottingham tram fare dodgers are 'putting entire network at risk'

Nottingham tram bosses say fare dodgers are putting the whole network "at risk" amid a rise in the number of fines being issued. Those avoiding a fare can be issued with a £70 penalty fare notice on the spot and, if this is left unpaid, the charge can rise to up to £1,000 and people could end up with criminal records.

NET has now issued a further warning to fare dodgers in the run-up to Christmas. New posters are being rolled out across trams and tram stops, featuring regular excuses for dodging fares such as "it's just one stop" and "I was in a rush and forgot about it".

The network recently said that GMB members taking part in a 10-day Goose Fair strike, eventually called off after one day, were putting Nottingham's tram system at risk. The same message has now been issued to fare dodgers, with Alison Sweeney, head of marketing at NET, saying: "As we get closer to Christmas, this refreshed messaging may seem like a juxtaposition to the festive posters many people are likely to see on the streets of Nottingham, but it's important to make our stance clear.

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"There are lots of excuses that people tell themselves – and our team - if they get on a tram without paying, but the fact is that doing so is a crime that puts the city's vital infrastructure at risk. During the festive season especially, more people are likely to be out and about shopping or seeing friends.

"We want to remind people of the importance of ensuring they have the correct ticket, or remember to validate their pass before they board, or they could risk a costly mistake that could ruin their Christmas." A zero-tolerance campaign on fare dodging was first launched by NET in December 2023, with a 45% month-on-month rise in penalty fare notices being issued within a month.

All tram users have to purchase a ticket or validate their pass by tapping on the validator before boarding. Anyone caught travelling without a valid ticket or pass will be handed a "no questions asked" £70 penalty fare notice.

Sarah Turner, service delivery and safety director at NET, said: "Our renewed zero-tolerance campaign is aimed at those who think they can get away without paying, but that simply isn't true. Skipping your tram fare is a crime that could result in a criminal record which will show up on DBS checks against your name for up to 11 years.

"That's a really serious consequence of a quick, poorly judged decision. People think that refusing to buy a ticket 'just once' is harmless, but our no-excuses policy remains part of our ongoing day-to-day operations, and we’re committed to reinforcing this message to everyone that uses our trams.

"We have high quality CCTV within all of our trams and at our stops, which makes it easy to spot anyone who doesn't pay – while also helping to keep our network safe. This, coupled with the commitment of our staff, has resulted in a rise in penalty fare notices being issued, which is acting as a deterrent and a reminder of the consequences for those who don't pay."