'RoboCop' tool will use Al to detect tram troublemakers

TECHNOLOGY WILL BOOST SAFETY AS GOVERNMENT ASKED TO INCREASE PENALTIES

- By JOE LOCKER

PENALTY fares for riding city trams without a ticket could go up to £120.

And a new AI tool is set to track troublemakers.

An artificial intelligence (AI) feature - called “RoboCop” in jest by the operator's boss - is being tried out to tackle antisocial behaviour.

The move comes as more effort is being put into making the NET network safer and more financially sustainable.

The current penalty for people riding the tram without a ticket is £70, but Government permission is being sought to increase it to £120. This would be discounted to £60 if paid within 14 days.

During a meeting to discuss the network on Tuesday, Tim Hesketh, the chief executive officer of Tramlink, said: “Currently the penalty fare is a single price of £70, and if you go beyond the second appeal there is a £25 admin charge.