New powers to issue fines on public transport for fare dodgers

Monday, 11 June 2018

The game may be up for fare dodgers across the country when newly warranted officers start issuing fines for the first time.

Legislation that comes into force next week will allow public transport authorities throughout the country to issue $150 fines to passengers who don't carry tickets. 

The Land Transport Amendment Act was passed into law in May and allows public transport authorities to fine fare dodgers through officers warranted by police.

James Ireland, spokesperson for Auckland Transport (AT), said Transport Officers were currently operating on the Western and Onehunga lines but had no power to issue tickets to fare dodgers until next week.

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The officers could currently ask to see a passenger's ticket but could only ask them to leave at the next stop. 

'As Auckland Transport recruits more staff they will begin to work on other lines as well,' Ireland said.

AT also planned on installing more electronic gates at stations so passengers have to buy a ticket or tag on before they got onto the platform, he said.

Once completed, more than 90 per cent of passengers will have to go through an electronic gate, Ireland said. 

Fare evasion resulted in $2 to $3 million a year in lost ticket sales, Ireland said.

AT compliance manager Logan Christian said the change would make things 'fair for everyone who uses public transport'. 

'There really is no excuse not to pay your fair share,' Christian said.

AT would concentrate on implementing this fine on trains initially before rolling this out to buses and ferries, he said.

'It's about compliance.'

The role of transport officer was announced in 2017. It was created in response to increased rail patronage, to boost passenger safety and to better enforce fare payment.   

The legislation comes into force on June 18.