Fare evasion on Melbourne public transport increases with myki - The Australian

FARE evasion has increased since myki became Melbourne's only public transport ticket, latest figures reveal

The May fare evasion survey, quietly released in the Public Transport Victoria annual report tabled in parliament today, shows 11.9 per cent of passengers on trains, trams and buses were freeloading compared to 9.4 per cent in October 2012.

That's despite the government department spending more than $1 million on fare evasion advertising in 2012-13.

Buses had the biggest spike, with 16 per cent of passengers surveyed in May caught without a valid ticket, compared to 9.1 per cent in October.

"PTV has written to bus operators to remind them of their revenue protection responsibilities and will closely monitor performance in this area,'' the report said.

The Herald Sun revealed last month bus drivers were told to warn passengers who do not have a valid myki that they are fare evading, but to still let them board.

Operator Ventura wrote to drivers saying there was "no doubt'' fare evasion had increased significantly since myki was introduced

Fare evasion on trams increased from 10.5 per cent in October to 11.9 per cent in May, while trains increased from 8.8 per cent to 9.9 per cent.

PTV said its network revenue protection plan included a range of initiatives designed to minimise fare evasion during and after the full transition to myki.

"PTV is continuing to work with operators to ensure that passengers understand what they need to do to have a valid ticket, to make it as easy as possible to complete, and to apply the enforcement regime for travel without a valid myki,' it said in the report.

myki replaced Metcard as Melbourne's only public transport ticket on December 29 last year.

Fare evasion attracts a $212 fine.

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