Northern teams up with poet Phil Mealey to scare fare dodgers straight

Northern teamed up with Phil Mealey, who has previously worked on The Royle Family and Early Doors.

His poem ‘The Dodger’ highlights the tactics and pitfalls of a fare dodger on the operator’s network.

It is hoped the poem will make people think twice about travelling without a ticket.

Mark Powles, customer and commercial director at Northern, said: “Phil’s poem has perfectly captured the effort to which some people will go to avoid buying a ticket.

“Our conductors and revenue protection teams encounter these - as Phil would call - ‘dodgy geezers’ on a daily basis and their belief that they have the right to travel for free when those around them have paid is unacceptable.”

Phil added: “I’ve spotted my fair share of ‘dodgy geezers’ on the train.

“Never thought I’d be writing a poem about them!”

A transcript of the poem reads: I am a dodgy geezer
Dodging all my rail fares
Dodging the conductors
And their suspicious stares

“Dodging the collectors
When they come walking through
Dodging into the next carriage
Or even dodging in the loo

“But these days of being a dodger
Aren't like dodging days gone by
I see it's others who must pay
For every time I don't comply

“So now my dodging days are over
It's not artful it's a crime
And it doesn't pay to be dodger
When you've got a £20 fine!”

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