[Melb] Tram fare cheats get ultimatum

["David Lindstrom" <D_Lindstrom@Bigpond.com>]

Tram fare cheats get ultimatum

http://www.theage.com.au/news/2000/12/20/FFX8NBUFWGC.html

By SUSHI DAS
TRANSPORT REPORTER
Wednesday 20 December 2000

There will be no escape for tram fare evaders, a private transport operator
has warned at the launch of a campaign to change the ticket-buying patterns
of Melburnians.

Yarra Trams will hand pamphlets to passengers today explaining that they
risk a $100 fine if they travel without a valid ticket, refuse to give
personal details to tram staff, fail to validate their ticket or hinder tram
staff.

The campaign comes after the company was accused last month of being
heavy-handed when an interstate passenger travelling without a valid ticket
was wrestled to the ground in Collins Street when he refused to give his
personal details.

A TV campaign is planned to persuade passengers to buy tickets from shops
before boarding trams rather than relying on on-board Metcard machines.

The Public Transport Users Association scoffed at the campaign, saying it
had come too late and was an acknowledgement that the ticketing system was a
failure.

Spokeswoman Anna Morton said that until Metcard machines on trams were able
to take notes or sell daily tickets, it was unfair to crack down on fare
evaders.

Yarra Trams chief executive Hubert Guyot said those who cheated the system
compromised the modernisation of the tram network.

Arguing that it was too hard to buy tram tickets was unacceptable, he said.
"We will not accept any argument or any excuse ... when we check tickets, no
one can escape."

To make it easier to buy tickets, Yarra Trams will increase ticket outlets
from 800 to 1000 next year. Daily tickets will be sold by 45 new tram
attendants and a new central business district ticket will be introduced.

Under the Transport Act, revenue protection officers can detain passengers
travelling without a valid ticket who refuse to give their personal details.

Yarra Trams has 26 revenue protection officers, 18 customer service officers
(who do not have the power to detain passengers), and 45 new
government-funded tram attendants who will sell tickets on board.