Face masks: Dandenong and Pakenham line railway stations lead fines list
Find out where you are most likely to be stung for not wearing a face mask on a train. Is your line a hotspot?
South East
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Commuters on a busy train line in Melbourne’s southeast are shunning face masks and racking up more fines than any other route in the state.
According to the latest Crime Statistics Agency figures, three railway stations on the Pakenham line are in the top five for fines dished out by police from July to December 2020.
Dandenong topped the list with 78 offences, followed by Southern Cross (46) and Flinders Street (44) railway stations.
Springvale (29) and Pakenham (26), both also on the Pakenham line, rounded out the top five.
Commuters in Melbourne west were also fined more than others with Broadmeadows, Sunshine and Footscray railway stations making the top ten.
A total of 671 fines were issued by police at railway stations throughout Victoria in the six-month period.
Last month, a Leader investigation found roughly half the commuters on a morning Pakenham-City Loop service on April 28 were not wearing face masks.
Some said they “didn’t feel they had to” and claimed ticket inspectors and PSOs were failing to wear face coverings.
Masks are not mandatory for station staff and authorised officers in station areas, including platforms.
A Victoria Police spokesman said officers issued fines for “obvious and blatant” failures to wear a mask on public transport.
Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll said masks would remain mandatory on public transport “for the foreseeable future” in line with chief health officer directions.
“The overwhelming majority of Victorians on public transport are doing the right thing and wearing a mask, however there are still some passengers not wearing them correctly,” he said.
“Masks will remain a tool in our fight against coronavirus for the foreseeable future — and we’ll keep working with Victorians to ensure they’re playing their part in keeping public transport safe.”
Police are responsible for enforcing mask rules on public transport, and any passengers caught not wearing a face mask while travelling can expect a $200 fine.
MELBOURNE’S TOP 10 RAILWAY STATIONS FOR FACE MASK FINES
(Offences recorded July-December 2020 by Crime Statistics Agency Victoria)
1. Dandenong – 78
2. Southern Cross – 46
3. Flinders Street – 44
4. Springvale – 29
5. Pakenham – 26
6. Broadmeadows – 24
7. Sunshine – 24
8. Caulfield – 21
9. Footscray – 21
10. Cranbourne – 19
All other Victorian railway stations – 339
Total fines issued – 671
