TRANSPORT officials have launched a new blitz on fare dodgers on Newcastle's Metro system.
The first stage of the latest drive was staged last Thursday, when a 16-strong team of inspectors boarded trains at Jesmond and West Jesmond during the day.
More than 300 people were found to have some sort of ticket irregularity - 42 paid on-the-spot fines, while the remainder will get a penalty notice.
As part of the campaign, posters will be put on the platforms of the stations involved and at other city stations, reminding everyone who was caught on Thursday they have only 21 days to pay the fine.
Future posters will inform those who do not paid that they will receive court summonses.
Metro operations director Robert Smith said: "We estimate that fraud costs the Metro system about £1m each year.
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