RAIL passengers can now shop suspected fare dodgers by text message.

National Express East Anglia has created a hotline where passengers can send details of the train they are travelling on if they suspect a fellow passenger has not bought a ticket.

Rail bosses hope the move will slash some of the lost millions from ticketless journeys.

Ticket inspectors will use the texts to help them know which trains to target to catch fare dodgers.

According to the train company, fare evasion costs the rail industry £200million a year.

Customers will be charged the standard network rate for text messages, which should be sent to 60006.

The Southend Rail Travellers' Association said the text line is a good idea, but should not be the only tool used to stop fare dodgers.

Co-chairman Peter Slattery said: "When you see people pushing through the barriers and not paying for their tickets it can be annoying.

"It is not fair if passengers are paying £3,000 a year to get to London when some people are trying to do it for free. I am pleased to see the rail operator taking steps to stop ticketless travel. When they put our fares up they blame it on fare dodgers.

"But it should not be the main thrust. Manned barrier gates and ticket offices are the most effective way."

National Express spokesperson Ellen Rossiter said the service would work as an "early warning system" for the company. She said: "What might happen is that ticket inspectors will get on the train and then inspect everyone's ticket. ."

The texting service is not the only idea the rail operator has put in place to cut down on ticketdodgers. This has included adding an extra 40 inspectors on routes and introducing more ticket barriers, the firm said.