Re: [Melb] Fare evasion being neglected: Batchelor

["DL" <D_Lindstrom@Bigpond.com>]

It wouldn't be a bad idea if person's caught without a valid ticket were
compelled to buy a yearly instead of just $80 worth.
DL

"news.foxall.com.au" <austaz@foxall.com.au> wrote in message
986376523.255635@foxlink2.foxall.com.au">news:986376523.255635@foxlink2.foxall.com.au...
> Excellent ideas.  However, maybe the on the spot fine needs to be even
more
> than $300.
>
> I am about to pay around $1,700 for a yearly ticket.  (Zones 1+2+3).  It
> frustrates me that there are so many other people getting a free ride at
my
> expense.
>
> Peter.
>
> Railvic <railvic@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
> 3AC914F6.3366B72B@iprimus.com.au">news:3AC914F6.3366B72B@iprimus.com.au...
> > Dear all,
> >
> > It's about time!  Why should honest customers subside those who choose
> > to do otherwise.  We could also then get rid off those idiots and
> > druggies travelling up and down the system all day without having valid
> > tickets.  If such behaviour is not acceptable elsewhere, why should it
> > be acceptable in public transport system.  Perhaps one way to reduce
> > fare evasion is to increase the fine from the current $100 to say $300
> > on the spot.  At the same time, ticket inspectors should be dressed in
> > causal clothing at all times.  While those who cannot pay the fine, the
> > court should give them say 3 months of community work for each fine.
> >
> > What is the fine for evading tickets in other Australian capital cities?
> >
> > Railvic
> >
> > DL wrote:
> > >
> > > Fare evasion being neglected: Batchelor
> > >
> > > http://www.theage.com.au/news/2001/04/03/FFXMUE6J1LC.html
> > >
> > > By SUSHI DAS
> > > TRANSPORT REPORTER
> > > Tuesday 3 April 2001
> > >
> > > Melbourne's private transport operators were criticised by the State
> > > Government yesterday for failing to deal with "chronic" fare evasion.
> > >
> > > Transport Minister Peter Batchelor said the government was having to
> > > "encourage" the transport operators to deal with fare evasion.
> > >
> > > Since privatisation of the public transport system in August, 1999,
the
> > > private operators had not come up with any initiatives to deal with
the
> > > problem, he said.
> > >
> > > Mr Batchelor said the private companies, which are subsidised by the
> > > government, were more likely to take an interest in reducing fare
> evasion
> > > once their subsidies began falling in years to come.
> > >
> > > Fare evasion is believed to be higher on trams than trains.
> > >
> > > Yarra Trams said about 12 per cent of passengers evaded fares,
although
> on
> > > some routes up to 25 per cent of passengers were not buying a ticket.
> > >
> > > M>Trams (formerly Swanston Trams) said between 12 and 15 per cent of
> > > passengers evaded fares.
> > >
> > > Mr Batchelor said: "I think it (evasion) is far too high and we think
> the
> > > private companies ought to be doing something about it ... they ought
to
> be
> > > going out there chasing that revenue.
> > >
> > > "Their subsidies are going to reduce over time, so on the issue of
fare
> > > evasion they will become more focused, being driven by subsidy
> reductions.
> > >
> > > "But I would have thought that right from the beginning they would try
> to
> > > get on top of the fare evasion issue and we are trying to help them."
> > >
> > > Since 1999, National Express, which runs M>Trams, has received $139.4
> > > million in government subsidies. In 2011 government support will fall
to
> > > nearly $20 million.
> > >
> > > Metrolink, which runs Yarra Trams, has received $114.7 million since
> 1999.
> > > In the last two years of its 12-year franchise deal, it is expected to
> be
> > > profitable enough to return up to $5 million to the government.
> > >
> > > The government has indicated it would consider any strategy put
forward
> by
> > > private operators to deal with fare evasion.
> > >
> > > Mr Batchelor rejected an informal suggestion by one of the private
> operators
> > > to offer fare dodgers the option of buying $80 worth of tickets
instead
> of a
> > > fine.
> > >
> > > "We don't believe they (evaders) should be lightly let off ... There
> will
> > > always be a system of fines operating here in Melbourne, and if you
> don't
> > > have a ticket you could render yourself liable for a fine," he said.
> > >
> > > Yarra Trams and M>Trams both said yesterday that they had not formally
> > > raised the prospect of scrapping fines with the government.
> > >
> > > A move to scrap fines would require an amendment to the Transport Act.
> > >
> > > Both companies denied fare evasion was a low priority because their
> > > government subsidies were still high.
> > >
> > > So far the companies have tried to discourage fare evasion by "working
> on"
> > > plans to increase the number of outlets selling tickets.
> > >
> > > Yarra Trams is also believed to be considering asking for increased
> fines
> > > for repeat offenders.
> > >
> > > Since privatisation, the government has funded "roving conductors" in
a
> bid
> > > to reduce fare evasion by having a human presence on trams.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Regards,
> > > David Lindstrom
>
>