Police have been working in partnership with Travel South Yorkshire to tackle fare evasion on buses in Barnsley.

On Thursday 13 May, Kendray Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) joined ticket inspectors to conduct checks on buses going in and out of Barnsley via Doncaster Road at Stairfoot.

The purpose of the checks was to deter and catch fare evaders as well as other related offences including deception (the creation of counterfeit tickets), possession of drugs and general disorderly behaviour.

Two ‘checkpoints’ were set up on Doncaster Road, one on each side of the road to meet buses coming from opposite directions. Buses were then asked to stop so the checks could take place.

Any passenger found to be travelling without paying the correct fare were asked to pay the full amount or vacate the bus.

In total, the number of buses travelling into Barnsley was 35, with 451 passenger’s tickets being checked. Reassuringly, only one boy had to be dealt with by having his damaged and unreadable Mi Card confiscated.

29 buses travelled out of Barnsley and 359 tickets were checked. Four were found to have under paid their fare and as a result were asked to vacate the bus.

PCSO Lisa Lloyd said: “We hope the operation provides reassurance to those who use public transport and illustrates that we are tackling fare evasion. Buses should be a safe and lawful mode of transport which is something we want to maintain. More monthly joint inspections are planned for the near future. “