Tackling Fare Evasion with AI: How FGC and AWAAIT Reduced Violations by 70%
Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC): A Pillar of Catalan Public Transportation
Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) is one of the key operators in Catalonia’s transport system. With urban, regional, and tourist rail lines, FGC is known for its high service quality, punctuality, and commitment to sustainability—especially in the greater Barcelona area.
The Challenge: Fare Evasion Hurts More Than Revenue
Fare evasion is a persistent challenge that goes beyond financial loss. It erodes public trust and creates unfairness towards paying passengers.
FGC has long addressed this issue with initiatives like double-validation fare gates (at entry and at exit) and random inspection sweeps. These efforts are effective, but they have limitations—especially during rush hours, when large-scale checks can disrupt passenger flow and reduce efficiency.
And, as FGC rightly believes: if nothing new is done, fare evasion only tends to increase over time.
Introducing DETECTOR: AI-Powered Video Analytics
In 2013—before AI was mainstream—FGC and AWAAIT began exploring how artificial intelligence could help address this issue without intrusive methods. This led to the development of DETECTOR, an AI-driven video analytics system that identifies fare evaders in real time using station camera footage—with no integration needed into ticketing or gate systems.
After early mockup trials proved the concept feasible, AWAAIT launched a pilot in collaboration with FGC at one of Barcelona’s busiest stations.
Provença Station Pilot: Fare Evasion Cut by over 70%
The pilot project at Provença station (a key transit hub near Barcelona’s iconic Pedrera) showed remarkable results. Once deployed, DETECTOR alerted ticket inspectors in real time, allowing them to act quickly and efficiently. Within weeks, fare evasion dropped by more than 70%, thanks largely to the system’s deterrent effect.
Even after reducing the number of on-site inspections, the lower evasion rate persisted—proving that smart enforcement tools can be both effective and sustainable. Both commuters and media noted the benefits: fewer, more targeted controls made smoother journeys for paying passengers and a more effective allocation of inspection resources.
Smarter, Safer Workflows for Ticket Inspectors
Inspectors embraced DETECTOR for its precision and practicality. The system allowed them to target only actual fare evaders, avoiding unnecessary checks on honest passengers. Real-time video previews also helped teams assess safety risks before intervening—enhancing both operational efficiency and inspector safety.
A Model of Public-Private partnership
This initiative stands out as a textbook example of successful collaboration between a forward-thinking public operator and an agile tech startup.
By combining FGC’s operational know-how with AWAAIT’s innovation in AI, the two organizations created a scalable solution with long-term impact.
From Pilot to Daily Operations
Following the pilot’s success, DETECTOR was integrated into daily operations across multiple high-traffic FGC stations. Today, it continues to play a key role in keeping fare evasion under control while making inspections more effective and less disruptive.
Want to Improve Fare Control in Your Network?
AWAAIT’s AI-driven video surveillance solutions are already helping transport operators enhance security, efficiency, and passenger trust.
Let’s talk about how we can support your goals.