Train operators in the UK are launching a crackdown on various forms of digital ticket fraud, with a specific focus on a practice referred to as 'donutting.' This involves passengers purchasing a digital ticket for a very short journey—often just one stop—to gain entry or exit through automated ticket gates, despite having traveled a much longer distance.

This initiative has received support from the government department currently overseeing the transition toward the renationalization of England’s rail services. The crackdown is part of a broader effort to reduce revenue loss caused by passengers manipulating digital ticketing systems. While the practice is described by operators as illegal, the move highlights the ongoing tension between the convenience of digital ticketing and the potential for exploitation within the current rail infrastructure. The government's involvement suggests a coordinated effort to tighten enforcement as the rail system prepares for a major structural shift next year.