Add Category
Hundreds of public transport commuters in Queensland are being hit with fines for fare evasion every week in the midst of the state's 50-cent fares trial.
In the first two weeks of the trial, which the government says is about making public transport "virtually free", authorities issued 475 fines for fare evasion across the Translink network.
Another 2,406 warnings for fare evasion were given to adult commuters, while minors — who are not fined — were given 1,576 warnings.
The on-the-spot fine for fare evasion in Queensland is currently $322, which means more than $150,000 in penalties were distributed during the two-week period.
Transport Minister Bart Mellish said it was disappointing that some commuters were still "doing the wrong thing" and urged them to pay their fares.
Transport Minister Bart Mellish says commuters should pay their fares. (ABC News: Lucas Hill)
"You might be able to get a cone at McDonald's for 50 cents. That doesn't mean you can go behind the counter and serve it yourself," he said.
"That is still theft and fare evasion is still fare evasion.
"We want to see people tapping on, tapping off so we know where people are coming from, where they're going to, how they're getting about our network."
Mr Mellish said the number of fare evasion fines given out in the first two weeks of 50-cent fares looked about normal, or even slightly down from the number of penalties that were usually issued.
In the four years between 2018-19 and 2021-22, commuters were given about 60,000 fines for fare evasion — an average of 288 per week.
During the six-month trial, which kicked off on August 5, all fares on the Translink network — regardless of the length of trip — are a flat 50 cents.
In a statement, a Translink spokesperson said the public transport agency would continue to combat fare evasion and anti-social behaviour during the trial.
"This is to ensure a safe public transport experience for our customers and to ensure customers continue to travel with a valid fare," the spokesperson said.
Train patronage was at 91 per cent of pre-COVID levels in the second week of 50-cent fares. (ABC News: Christopher Gillette)
The spokesperson also said commuters tapping on and off their journey provided Translink with valuable data to assist with the evaluation of the trial.
In the second week of the trial, commuters took more than 3.6 million trips on the Translink network.
The roughly 2.2 million trips on buses was at 98 per cent of pre-COVID levels, and the more than 1 million trips on trains was at about 91 per cent.
About 280,000 trips were taken on light rail, 40 per cent above pre-COVID commuter levels, while the 130,000 trips on ferries was at about 99 per cent of pre-pandemic numbers.
Ferry patronage was at 99 per cent of pre-COVID levels in the second week of 50-cent fares. (ABC News: Lucas Hill)
When it announced the trial in May, the government suggested overall commuter numbers were at about 87 per cent of pre-COVID levels.
Translink said it had more than 300 safety and enforcement officers across its network who helped combat fare evasion, but also played a role in safety and security.
Translink estimates commuters have saved more than $15 million since the trial began.