Article: Feet on seat fine collects millions

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From the Melbourne Age click here!

Feet on seat fine collects millions

Feet on seat fine collects millions
Jane Holroyd
February 14, 2012

TRAIN, tram and bus travellers who rested their feet on seats provided the Victorian government with a financial windfall last year, coughing up a collective $2.5 million-plus in fines.

One in 10 public transport fines in Victoria was issued to people for placing feet on seats, an offence that carries a $180 fine for adults or a $61 fine for children. In total, $2.75 million worth of fines were issued to adults and children for putting their feet on public transport seats in 2011.

Department of Transport figures show that 17,592 people were fined for the offence on trains, trams and buses, representing 10.5 per cent of all fines issued across Victoria's public transport network for the 12-month period.
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Fare evasion accounted for the greatest number of fines, with 132,178 passengers booked for offences including failing to produce a valid ticket. Of the remaining 35,501 fines issued, half were given to people for putting their feet on seats.

Department of Transport spokesman David Stockman defended the $180 fine for placing feet on seats.

''It is reasonable to expect people to display this basic courtesy to other travellers. The Department of Transport receives complaints from people who encounter soiled seats from, among other things, passengers placing their feet on them. In addition, there are extra cleaning costs incurred when people place feet on seats.''

President of the Public Transport Users Association, Daniel Bowen, said while it was appropriate that people be penalised for placing their feet on seats, the fact that 48 people were being fined each day in Victoria indicated people were not aware it was an offence that carried a $180 price.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/feet-on-seat-fine-collects-millions-20120213-1t273.html