Thousands of Victorians caught out dodging public transport fares
Faredodgers are being caught out across Victoria at a rapid rate, with tens of thousands of tickets already dished out this year, leading to calls for the payment process to be simplified.
VIC News
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Fare dodgers are being caught out across Victoria at a rate of more than 160 people per day as transport authorities crack down on commuters.
Data obtained by the Sunday Herald Sun shows more than 60,000 Victorians were fined for not having a valid ticket between January and October this year.
This figure is expected to soar by the end of 2019 after more than 80,000 people were nabbed in 2018.
Another 5300 passengers were fined for putting their feet on train, tram or bus seats while just 31 were fined for poor behaviour.
Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said authorities needed to do more to make paying for travel easier.
“It is now routine, even at busy CBD stations, for Metro to leave fare gates open and unattended, giving fare dodgers an easy free ride, depriving the system of funds,” he said.
No fines were issued to drivers for incorrectly parking at railway stations without getting a train despite massive overcrowding at car parks along rail lines.
Both state and federal governments have pledged to tackle the problem, with spaces in growth areas such as Cranbourne full by 6.30am.
More than 8700 infringement notices were handed out in 2016 but no fines have been issued by the Department of Transport since.
But Mr Bowen said illegal parking was still an issue at busy stations.
“Local workers often occupy spaces needed for commuters, and some residents also routinely park their cars at railway stations,” he said.
“Given the huge cost of providing car parks, authorities must ensure those spaces are available for public transport users.”
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Other fines include 4890 infringements for failing to provide proof of concession and 15 people were busted trespassing on the network or riding on the back of trains or trams.
A Transport Department spokesman said most passengers did the right thing when travelling.
“We are introducing ways to make it simpler and quicker for passengers to top up Myki cards and travel with valid tickets,” he said.
“We continue to work closely with our public transport operators to keep our network safe and to promote appropriate passenger etiquette.”