FARE dodgers on the Tube will cost more than £61m this year, according to figures.

While passenger numbers continue to increase – with this month having a record 4.821 million people use the Tube in one day, on December 4 – the amount lost to fare evasion has grown.

Figures given from Transport for London (TfL) to the London Assembly Labour group estimate £61.47m will be lost in 2015.

But TfL says it rejects the interpretation of the figures, as they do not take into account the money recouped through penalty fares and maximum fare charges.

Labour says this means more than 4.5 pence from every passenger journey is now lost to fare evasion.

Members have called for a tougher approach to tackling the problem, and raised concerns cutting station staff will see fare invasion increase.

Barnet and Camden GLA member Andrew Dismore said: “With TfL having to watch every penny, we need to see a real clamp down on fare evasion on the Tube, but in reality Boris Johnson's lax approach has meant over £61m being lost over the last year, that’s a monstrous amount."

In October, High Barnet was found to be the second easiest Tube station for fare evasion in London, due to barriers being left open for longer.

Mr Dismore said: “The Government’s decision to slash at least £700m from TfL budgets could threaten a number of vital transport upgrade projects in London. With TfL being forced to do more for less, the Mayor should be doing all he can to claw back money lost to fare evasion.

“That means ensuring Tube stations, like High Barnet station, are properly staffed so ticket barriers aren’t left open and it means upping inspections.

“If you maintain staff numbers you stand a better chance of reducing evasion and the staff pay for themselves. If you cut staff and fare evasions rise it’s a false economy.”

He said a “far more rigorous” approach was needed.

Mr Dismore added: “Londoners have a reputation for honesty. As fares rise again in the New Year, the overwhelming majority of Londoners who do pay their way will become increasingly frustrated that Boris Johnson isn’t making things tougher for those that don’t.”

Steve Burton, TfL’s director of enforcement and on-street operations, said: “Fare evasion across our network has continued to go down every year, against rising passenger numbers, and on London Underground represents less than one per cent of all passenger journeys.

“Our Revenue Control Inspectors work in partnership with our policing partners to not only check tickets on trains and at stations, but also to carry out intelligence and data led operations to stamp out fare evasion on our network."

He added: “We take fare evasion of any kind extremely seriously and communicate the consequences of being caught without a valid ticket. 

"For every journey, customers must have a valid ticket or tap in and out using Oyster or a contactless payment card – even if the ticket barriers are open.  If customers do not tap in or out then they will be charged a maximum fare for the journey.”