Fare evasion at all-time low after crackdown on Victoria’s public transport network

A CRACKDOWN on Victoria’s public transport users has seen fare evasion drop to all-time lows with the state reaping an extra $1.9m as a result.

• Public transport users slugged extra from January 1

A CRACKDOWN on Victoria’s public transport users has seen fare evasion drop to all-time lows.

The state’s public transport system has reaped an extra $1.9 million over the past six months as a result of the drop in fare evaders.

Public Transport Victoria’s latest fare evasion report, to be released tomorrow, will show a record 96.4 per cent of tram passengers are travelling with a valid ticket, up more than four per cent from two years ago.

Premier Daniel Andrews, Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allen and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Danielle Green. Picture: Josie Hayden

The survey results, taken in October, also show 97.4 per cent of Metro train users are travelling with the right ticket, while 95.9 per cent of V/Line train passengers are obeying the rules.

Fare compliance on buses was the lowest at 93.6 per cent, but has improved by more than one per cent since the last survey.

The results come as the Andrews Government is set to overhaul the fare enforcement system.

As of January 1 next year, the $75 on-the-spot fines will be abolished and a single infringement system will be introduced.

The $75 penalty fare allowed a passenger to get caught fare evading more than 20 times in one year, and still pay less than the cost of a regular Zone 1 and 2 yearly pass.

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said the fare evasion results showed more people were paying their way and supporting public transport system.

“Under our simpler and more effective enforcement system, there will be nowhere for serial fare evaders to hide,” Ms Allan said.

“A record of every fine will be kept and those that repeatedly try to cheat the system will pay the price.

“The new system will also be fairer (for) people who do the right thing but make an honest mistake, with a clear process for when fines can be issued, and when they can be challenged, so people aren’t unfairly punished.”

Fare evasion is this year estimated to wipe $30.9 million off the revenue for Victoria’s public transport system, with $16.4 million in the first half of 2016 and $14.5 million in the second half.

The higher fare compliance rates over the past six months have decreased the revenue impact by $1.9 million, according to the report.

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Originally published as Fare evasion at all-time low after crackdown on Victoria’s public transport network