$50 fine for fare dodgers on public transport

$50 fine for fare dodgers on public transport

SINGAPORE - The next time you are thinking of skimping on transport fares when taking the bus or train, think again.

The Public Transport Council (PTC) announced on Thursday (Feb 25) that it will be increasing the penalty on fare dodgers to $50, up from the current $20.

Besides targeting commuters who do not pay or underpay their fares on public bus and train services, enforcement action will now be taken against those attempting to bend the rules even before they begin their journey, such as those tail-gating at fare gates.

Currently, enforcement action can only be meted out against commuters after they have travelled a distance.

The same penalty fee of $50 will continue to apply to commuters who misuse concession tickets, PTC added in its statement.

"The tougher measures are intended as a strong deterrence against the evasion of public transport fares, and hence minimise free-riding behaviour," said PTC Chief Executive, Mr Alvin Chia.

"This is only fair to the large majority of our commuters who pay the correct fares for their journeys."

grongloh@sph.com.sg

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