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Drivers are no longer prepared to confront fare-dodgers on London buses because of the risk of violence, one of them has warned. And a union boss has pointed the finger at TfL’s senior management, whom he accused of “turning a blind eye” to the problem.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the driver, who has more than two decades’ experience, contacted Express.co.uk in the wake of a police appeal to trace four teenage girls in connection with an incident in which a couple was set upon on the top deck of a route 250 bus from Streatham to Croydon, apparently for no reason.

One man needed hospital treatment after being attacked with a crutch.

The driver, who was not the driver of the bus in question, said: “Drivers are told to let anyone on and to avoid any arguments.

“Kids now just walk on, and now you find adults do the same. You hardly ever see revenue inspectors, and when you do and tell them nothing seems to happen especially if it’s youths.

He continued: “It’s like they are unchallenged due to maybe violence towards them only doing their job. 

“These days we are told we must let anyone travel, youths use the buses to travel from A-B without using an Oyster card. TFL are to blame for this.” 

In a separate incident, a 16-year-old boy was hospitalised after being stabbed on a number 63 bus in New Kent Road, Elephant and Castle on Tuesday afternoon.

John Murphy, Unite’s lead officer for London buses, said: “The problems with none payment rest with senior management.

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“Bus drivers can’t be expected to force passengers to pay who refuse to pay, as it places them at risk of assault. The same applies to revenue inspectors.”

Revenue inspectors needed be accompanied by the police so that they can do their job safely, something which would both ensure compliance and reduce the risk of violence, Mr Murphy stressed.

He added: “Turning a blind eye and not properly enforcing fares is the worst of all world, fare collection is used to monitor usage and that how the system is funded, so any failure to ensure fares are collected undermines the entire system.”

Siwan Hayward, TFL’s Director of Security, Policing and Enforcement, said: “Our staff have the right to do their job without fear or intimidation and we do not tolerate any violence, aggression or threatening behaviour towards them.

“We take workplace violence extremely seriously and know that it is underreported, which is why we always encourage staff to report any instance of abuse, physical or non-physical.

“Transport for London employs over 450 revenue officers who are responsible for tackling fare evasion, and who work closely with the British Transport Police.  

“All buses have CCTV coverage and revenue protection officers are equipped with body worn video cameras to help bring cases against anyone who assaults them.”

Fare evasion on buses remains very low and the vast majority of customers pay the correct fare, with TfL estimates the current network wide rate for bus fare evasion is roughly 1.5 per cent.

A specialist unit within TfL works with both the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and British Transport Police (BTP) to investigate crimes against staff.

All buses are fitted with assault screens, CCTV, and two-way radio systems which connect drivers to a joint TfL/MPS control room.

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