Figures released by Northern show that ticketless travel accounted for as little as three per cent of journeys in the last 12 months - the lowest on record.

However, despite the majority of passengers buying tickets, figures from the company's Debt Recovery and Prosecutions Unit show that they still had to investigate 57,302 reports of attempted fare dodging between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024.

The team also issued 41,922 Penalty Fare Notices and attended 172 court sittings, helping to recoup nearly £4 million (£3.97m) of lost revenue for the taxpayer.

Mark Powles, commercial and customer director at Northern, said: "The reality is that fare dodgers expect the taxpayer to pick up the tab for their journey – and that’s just not on.

"The rail industry receives a great deal of public subsidy and we have a responsibility to do everything we can to reduce that figure – starting by ensuring everyone pays their way.

"Clearly, with almost 97 per cent of people boarding our trains doing the right thing and buying a ticket for their journey, they are with us on this issue."

The company utilises on-board ticket checks and has seen increases in physical ticket gatelines.

In January, Northern reported a 20 per cent drop in the number of penalty fares issued in the first year since the government increased the fine for those travelling without a ticket to £100.

That 20 per cent reduction is maintained into a second year.

Mr Powles said: "In cases of persistent fare evasion, there is often an element of anti-social behaviour to deal with too.

"By tackling the root cause and keeping those responsible for that behaviour off our trains we can create a safer environment for our customers."

Tickets can be bought via app, website, ticket office, or one of more than 600 ticket machines across the network.