Harsher penalties for public transport fare evaders

21/9/93

Fare evaders and people vandalising property belonging to Perth's public transport system will face more severe penalties.

Transport Minster Eric Charlton said State Cabinet had agreed to increase the on-the-spot fine for fare evasion from $20 to $50.

At the same time, Cabinet approved a proposal to raise the maximum penalty for other offences to Transperth services from $100 to $500.

The penalty may be imposed in a court of law when a person is convicted of daubing paint on Transperth property or other offences of vandalism or unruly behaviour on Transperth buses, trains, ferries or stations.

Both increases require amendments to the Metropolitan (Perth) Passenger Transport Trust Act.

"Fare dodging is theft and wilfully damaging public transport property will not be tolerated," Mr Charlton said.

"Although the rate of fare evasion in Perth - estimated to be between 0.5 and one per cent - is considered reasonable in international terms, there is room for improvement

"Transperth carries 63 million travellers each year, so it means up to half-a-million people are not paying their way.

"The increase is in line with the Coalition's commitment to develop strategies for preventing fare evasion.

"The new penalty is not in isolation to other initiatives developed by Transperth to counter fare evasion.  These include better surveillance on bus services and a more intense ticket-checking system that targets 10 per cent of Fastrak passengers each week."

Mr Charlton said the Government was also investing in improved ticketing equipment which provided clearer details on tickets.

Under the State Budget, the Government allocated $4.3 million to complete a $7.4 million program to purchase new ticket-issuing machines for Transperth's bus fleet and Fastrak stations.

Media contact:  Dean Roberts 321 7333 or 222 9595