Article: Fare rorting is rife

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Fare rorting is rife

Fare rorting is rife
Article from: Sunday Herald Sun

Eleni Hale, Transport reporter

February 24, 2008 12:00am

INCREASING numbers of commuters are taking free train rides in a multi-million dollar rort.

Secret documents reveal that as many as 94 per cent of commuters are not validating their train tickets at the worst station - Glenferrie - contributing to a $48 million annual public transport evasion blowout.

The report shows that across Victoria, 35 per cent of train travellers do not validate tickets.

Tram travellers are worse, with 70 per cent not validating tickets.

The figures are revealed in government papers on fare evasion from April to June last year, obtained under Freedom of Information laws.

Opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder said the figures were compelling evidence that the system was failing.

"You need to have enforcement," Mr Mulder said.

More staff and barriers at train stations were needed, he said, especially with the soon-to-be introduced Myki system, which will still require travellers to validate.

Metlink chief Bernie Carolan said it would be too expensive to staff every station or put in barriers.

"We're not in Eden, we wouldn't say that, but when you look globally you see we're not doing so bad," he said.

He said that while some travellers tried to cheat the system, most did the right thing.

Communities for Public Transport president Alex Makin said the public was protesting at the standard of public transport.

"A sizeable proportion of people are unsatisfied with the system and are choosing not to validate their tickets," he said.

He also blamed service frequency, saying people would rather rush to catch a train than swipe tickets and wait "half an hour".