Fare dodgers could face penalties of up to $1000

Fare dodgers could face an infringement fee of $150, a $500 fine on conviction and a $1000 fine on conviction if failing to comply with enforcement officer's directions. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Public transport fare evaders could be fined up to $1000 for disobeying orders to get off trains, buses or ferries.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges says legislation will also be changed next year to empower warranted council enforcement officers to issue more immediate infringement fines of $150 a time.

Only police now have the power to do that, and Mr Bridges acknowledged at Auckland's Britomart railway station this morning that it made the law difficult to enforce.

He said that in challenging situations, enforcement officers would still be able to call on police for assistance "but the need for this will be significantly reduced by these new measures."

"Auckland Transport raised the issues around fare evasion with me, and it has been good to work constructively with them to ensure public transport is a success in our biggest city," the minister said.

"Left unchecked, evasion of fares increases the costs of public transport for paying passengers as well as taxpayers and ratepayers who subsidise the services.

"It undermines the integrity of the ticketing systems used and the effectiveness of public transport generally."

Mr Bridges said that with the looming arrival in Auckland of dozens more double decker buses, the law change would be useful for combating fare evasion on those as well as on trains.

He and Auckland Mayor Len Brown said fare evaders could account for up to six per cent of Auckland rail travel, meaning a financial drain of $2 million a year.

Those refusing to pay the $150 infringement fee could still face a maximum fine of $500 on conviction in court, as is theoretically possible now following police involvement.

But Mr Bridges said the Land Transport Act would be amended to created a new offence - punishable by a fine of up to $1000 - for anyone who refused to provide a warranted enforcement officer with a name, address and date of birth or who disobeyed an instruction to get off a train, bus or ferry.

Auckland rail operator Transdev has about 45 roving ticket inspectors, but company chief Martin Kearney said it has yet to learn details of who would qualify to become warranted officers under the Act.

Enforcement officers will have power to:

• Ask passengers to provide evidence they have paid a fare
• Ask passengers to advise their name, address and date of birth if they cannot produce evidence of a valid ticket
• Advise the passenger to get off the public transport service

If a passenger hasn't paid a fare:

• May face an infringement fee of $150
• $500 fine on conviction
• $1000 fine on conviction if failing to comply with enforcement officer's directions