Ah - but it's the cost of catching the ticket evaders! And in defence of the TOCs (which sticks in my craw!) it's nothing new. 50 years ago (give or take a few years) some bright spark (probably a bean counter and not a railwayman) made great savings on the then Southern Region - the 'savings'...
Excellent news - but I'd prefer it if the rail companies had been told, not just asked. Wouldn't be surprised if half the time rail companies just said terribly sorry, we just haven't got the staff today/staff sickness, etc.