❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses fare evasion on Transperth buses, the role of bus drivers in checking fares, and the number and responsibilities of ticket inspectors. The government estimates a revenue loss of $0.68 million annually due to fare evasion.
AnsweredQoN 849Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
TRANSPERTH - FARE EVASION
(1) What is the government’s estimate of the amount of revenue lost to fare evasion and falsely claimed fare concessions on Transperth buses? (2) Are Transperth bus drivers required by the terms of the government’s contract with bus companies to check tickets or entitlements to concession fares to ensure the correct amount of money is received? (3) Are Transperth bus drivers instructed to not check tickets or entitlements to concessions fares by - (a) government directive; and/or (b) company directive? (4) How many inspectors monitor bus services in Perth, and is their role primarily to be ticket inspectors or to monitor the standard of service provided, or do they have some other responsibility? Hon ADELE FARINA
(1) What is the government’s estimate of the amount of revenue lost to fare evasion and falsely claimed fare concessions on Transperth buses? (2) Are Transperth bus drivers required by the terms of the government’s contract with bus companies to check tickets or entitlements to concession fares to ensure the correct amount of money is received? (3) Are Transperth bus drivers instructed to not check tickets or entitlements to concessions fares by - (a) government directive; and/or (b) company directive? (4) How many inspectors monitor bus services in Perth, and is their role primarily to be ticket inspectors or to monitor the standard of service provided, or do they have some other responsibility? Hon ADELE FARINA
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The estimated revenue lost to fare evasion is approximately $0.68 million a year. (2) Yes. Under the terms of the Transperth bus service contracts, the contractor is required to charge passengers the correct fare in accordance with passenger entitlements. Bus service contractors are required to have appropriate systems in place to ensure that correct fares are charged and entitlements checked. (3) (a) No. However it should be noted that Transperth’s new SmartRider ticketing system requires cardholders to prove their concession eligibility prior to being able to use a SmartRider card to obtain concession fares. In these circumstances, the concession type and expiry is encoded on the card so that the fare is automatically calculated when the card is used to tag on and off. For this reason, the driver is not required to check cardholders’ eligibility. (b) No; however, it is understood that the bus service contractors, as part of their training, instruct their drivers that in the interests of personal safety they are not to confront aggressive passengers about fares or entitlements. (4) Transperth has four full-time inspectors whose primary responsibility is to inspect passenger tickets, issue infringements for fare evasion and monitor standards of service delivery by bus service contractors. The bus service contractors have an additional 21 authorised officers who can issue infringements for fare evasion. These officers conduct ticket inspections on a part-time basis in conjunction with other duties.
(2) Are Transperth bus drivers required by the terms of the government’s contract with bus companies to check tickets or entitlements to concession fares to ensure the correct amount of money is received? (3) Are Transperth bus drivers instructed to not check tickets or entitlements to concessions fares by - (a) government directive; and/or (b) company directive? (4) How many inspectors monitor bus services in Perth, and is their role primarily to be ticket inspectors or to monitor the standard of service provided, or do they have some other responsibility? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The estimated revenue lost to fare evasion is approximately $0.68 million a year. (2) Yes. Under the terms of the Transperth bus service contracts, the contractor is required to charge passengers the correct fare in accordance with passenger entitlements. Bus service contractors are required to have appropriate systems in place to ensure that correct fares are charged and entitlements checked. (3) (a) No. However it should be noted that Transperth’s new SmartRider ticketing system requires cardholders to prove their concession eligibility prior to being able to use a SmartRider card to obtain concession fares. In these circumstances, the concession type and expiry is encoded on the card so that the fare is automatically calculated when the card is used to tag on and off. For this reason, the driver is not required to check cardholders’ eligibility. (b) No; however, it is understood that the bus service contractors, as part of their training, instruct their drivers that in the interests of personal safety they are not to confront aggressive passengers about fares or entitlements. (4) Transperth has four full-time inspectors whose primary responsibility is to inspect passenger tickets, issue infringements for fare evasion and monitor standards of service delivery by bus service contractors. The bus service contractors have an additional 21 authorised officers who can issue infringements for fare evasion. These officers conduct ticket inspections on a part-time basis in conjunction with other duties.
(3) Are Transperth bus drivers instructed to not check tickets or entitlements to concessions fares by - (a) government directive; and/or (b) company directive? (4) How many inspectors monitor bus services in Perth, and is their role primarily to be ticket inspectors or to monitor the standard of service provided, or do they have some other responsibility? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The estimated revenue lost to fare evasion is approximately $0.68 million a year. (2) Yes. Under the terms of the Transperth bus service contracts, the contractor is required to charge passengers the correct fare in accordance with passenger entitlements. Bus service contractors are required to have appropriate systems in place to ensure that correct fares are charged and entitlements checked. (3) (a) No. However it should be noted that Transperth’s new SmartRider ticketing system requires cardholders to prove their concession eligibility prior to being able to use a SmartRider card to obtain concession fares. In these circumstances, the concession type and expiry is encoded on the card so that the fare is automatically calculated when the card is used to tag on and off. For this reason, the driver is not required to check cardholders’ eligibility. (b) No; however, it is understood that the bus service contractors, as part of their training, instruct their drivers that in the interests of personal safety they are not to confront aggressive passengers about fares or entitlements. (4) Transperth has four full-time inspectors whose primary responsibility is to inspect passenger tickets, issue infringements for fare evasion and monitor standards of service delivery by bus service contractors. The bus service contractors have an additional 21 authorised officers who can issue infringements for fare evasion. These officers conduct ticket inspections on a part-time basis in conjunction with other duties.
(b) company directive?
Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The estimated revenue lost to fare evasion is approximately $0.68 million a year. (2) Yes. Under the terms of the Transperth bus service contracts, the contractor is required to charge passengers the correct fare in accordance with passenger entitlements. Bus service contractors are required to have appropriate systems in place to ensure that correct fares are charged and entitlements checked. (3) (a) No. However it should be noted that Transperth’s new SmartRider ticketing system requires cardholders to prove their concession eligibility prior to being able to use a SmartRider card to obtain concession fares. In these circumstances, the concession type and expiry is encoded on the card so that the fare is automatically calculated when the card is used to tag on and off. For this reason, the driver is not required to check cardholders’ eligibility. (b) No; however, it is understood that the bus service contractors, as part of their training, instruct their drivers that in the interests of personal safety they are not to confront aggressive passengers about fares or entitlements. (4) Transperth has four full-time inspectors whose primary responsibility is to inspect passenger tickets, issue infringements for fare evasion and monitor standards of service delivery by bus service contractors. The bus service contractors have an additional 21 authorised officers who can issue infringements for fare evasion. These officers conduct ticket inspections on a part-time basis in conjunction with other duties.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The estimated revenue lost to fare evasion is approximately $0.68 million a year. (2) Yes. Under the terms of the Transperth bus service contracts, the contractor is required to charge passengers the correct fare in accordance with passenger entitlements. Bus service contractors are required to have appropriate systems in place to ensure that correct fares are charged and entitlements checked. (3) (a) No. However it should be noted that Transperth’s new SmartRider ticketing system requires cardholders to prove their concession eligibility prior to being able to use a SmartRider card to obtain concession fares. In these circumstances, the concession type and expiry is encoded on the card so that the fare is automatically calculated when the card is used to tag on and off. For this reason, the driver is not required to check cardholders’ eligibility. (b) No; however, it is understood that the bus service contractors, as part of their training, instruct their drivers that in the interests of personal safety they are not to confront aggressive passengers about fares or entitlements. (4) Transperth has four full-time inspectors whose primary responsibility is to inspect passenger tickets, issue infringements for fare evasion and monitor standards of service delivery by bus service contractors. The bus service contractors have an additional 21 authorised officers who can issue infringements for fare evasion. These officers conduct ticket inspections on a part-time basis in conjunction with other duties.
(1) The estimated revenue lost to fare evasion is approximately $0.68 million a year. (2) Yes. Under the terms of the Transperth bus service contracts, the contractor is required to charge passengers the correct fare in accordance with passenger entitlements. Bus service contractors are required to have appropriate systems in place to ensure that correct fares are charged and entitlements checked. (3) (a) No. However it should be noted that Transperth’s new SmartRider ticketing system requires cardholders to prove their concession eligibility prior to being able to use a SmartRider card to obtain concession fares. In these circumstances, the concession type and expiry is encoded on the card so that the fare is automatically calculated when the card is used to tag on and off. For this reason, the driver is not required to check cardholders’ eligibility. (b) No; however, it is understood that the bus service contractors, as part of their training, instruct their drivers that in the interests of personal safety they are not to confront aggressive passengers about fares or entitlements. (4) Transperth has four full-time inspectors whose primary responsibility is to inspect passenger tickets, issue infringements for fare evasion and monitor standards of service delivery by bus service contractors. The bus service contractors have an additional 21 authorised officers who can issue infringements for fare evasion. These officers conduct ticket inspections on a part-time basis in conjunction with other duties.
(2) Yes. Under the terms of the Transperth bus service contracts, the contractor is required to charge passengers the correct fare in accordance with passenger entitlements. Bus service contractors are required to have appropriate systems in place to ensure that correct fares are charged and entitlements checked. (3) (a) No. However it should be noted that Transperth’s new SmartRider ticketing system requires cardholders to prove their concession eligibility prior to being able to use a SmartRider card to obtain concession fares. In these circumstances, the concession type and expiry is encoded on the card so that the fare is automatically calculated when the card is used to tag on and off. For this reason, the driver is not required to check cardholders’ eligibility. (b) No; however, it is understood that the bus service contractors, as part of their training, instruct their drivers that in the interests of personal safety they are not to confront aggressive passengers about fares or entitlements. (4) Transperth has four full-time inspectors whose primary responsibility is to inspect passenger tickets, issue infringements for fare evasion and monitor standards of service delivery by bus service contractors. The bus service contractors have an additional 21 authorised officers who can issue infringements for fare evasion. These officers conduct ticket inspections on a part-time basis in conjunction with other duties.
(3) (a) No. However it should be noted that Transperth’s new SmartRider ticketing system requires cardholders to prove their concession eligibility prior to being able to use a SmartRider card to obtain concession fares. In these circumstances, the concession type and expiry is encoded on the card so that the fare is automatically calculated when the card is used to tag on and off. For this reason, the driver is not required to check cardholders’ eligibility. (b) No; however, it is understood that the bus service contractors, as part of their training, instruct their drivers that in the interests of personal safety they are not to confront aggressive passengers about fares or entitlements. (4) Transperth has four full-time inspectors whose primary responsibility is to inspect passenger tickets, issue infringements for fare evasion and monitor standards of service delivery by bus service contractors. The bus service contractors have an additional 21 authorised officers who can issue infringements for fare evasion. These officers conduct ticket inspections on a part-time basis in conjunction with other duties.
(2) Are Transperth bus drivers required by the terms of the government’s contract with bus companies to check tickets or entitlements to concession fares to ensure the correct amount of money is received? (3) Are Transperth bus drivers instructed to not check tickets or entitlements to concessions fares by - (a) government directive; and/or (b) company directive? (4) How many inspectors monitor bus services in Perth, and is their role primarily to be ticket inspectors or to monitor the standard of service provided, or do they have some other responsibility? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The estimated revenue lost to fare evasion is approximately $0.68 million a year. (2) Yes. Under the terms of the Transperth bus service contracts, the contractor is required to charge passengers the correct fare in accordance with passenger entitlements. Bus service contractors are required to have appropriate systems in place to ensure that correct fares are charged and entitlements checked. (3) (a) No. However it should be noted that Transperth’s new SmartRider ticketing system requires cardholders to prove their concession eligibility prior to being able to use a SmartRider card to obtain concession fares. In these circumstances, the concession type and expiry is encoded on the card so that the fare is automatically calculated when the card is used to tag on and off. For this reason, the driver is not required to check cardholders’ eligibility. (b) No; however, it is understood that the bus service contractors, as part of their training, instruct their drivers that in the interests of personal safety they are not to confront aggressive passengers about fares or entitlements. (4) Transperth has four full-time inspectors whose primary responsibility is to inspect passenger tickets, issue infringements for fare evasion and monitor standards of service delivery by bus service contractors. The bus service contractors have an additional 21 authorised officers who can issue infringements for fare evasion. These officers conduct ticket inspections on a part-time basis in conjunction with other duties.
(3) Are Transperth bus drivers instructed to not check tickets or entitlements to concessions fares by - (a) government directive; and/or (b) company directive? (4) How many inspectors monitor bus services in Perth, and is their role primarily to be ticket inspectors or to monitor the standard of service provided, or do they have some other responsibility? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The estimated revenue lost to fare evasion is approximately $0.68 million a year. (2) Yes. Under the terms of the Transperth bus service contracts, the contractor is required to charge passengers the correct fare in accordance with passenger entitlements. Bus service contractors are required to have appropriate systems in place to ensure that correct fares are charged and entitlements checked. (3) (a) No. However it should be noted that Transperth’s new SmartRider ticketing system requires cardholders to prove their concession eligibility prior to being able to use a SmartRider card to obtain concession fares. In these circumstances, the concession type and expiry is encoded on the card so that the fare is automatically calculated when the card is used to tag on and off. For this reason, the driver is not required to check cardholders’ eligibility. (b) No; however, it is understood that the bus service contractors, as part of their training, instruct their drivers that in the interests of personal safety they are not to confront aggressive passengers about fares or entitlements. (4) Transperth has four full-time inspectors whose primary responsibility is to inspect passenger tickets, issue infringements for fare evasion and monitor standards of service delivery by bus service contractors. The bus service contractors have an additional 21 authorised officers who can issue infringements for fare evasion. These officers conduct ticket inspections on a part-time basis in conjunction with other duties.
(b) company directive?
Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The estimated revenue lost to fare evasion is approximately $0.68 million a year. (2) Yes. Under the terms of the Transperth bus service contracts, the contractor is required to charge passengers the correct fare in accordance with passenger entitlements. Bus service contractors are required to have appropriate systems in place to ensure that correct fares are charged and entitlements checked. (3) (a) No. However it should be noted that Transperth’s new SmartRider ticketing system requires cardholders to prove their concession eligibility prior to being able to use a SmartRider card to obtain concession fares. In these circumstances, the concession type and expiry is encoded on the card so that the fare is automatically calculated when the card is used to tag on and off. For this reason, the driver is not required to check cardholders’ eligibility. (b) No; however, it is understood that the bus service contractors, as part of their training, instruct their drivers that in the interests of personal safety they are not to confront aggressive passengers about fares or entitlements. (4) Transperth has four full-time inspectors whose primary responsibility is to inspect passenger tickets, issue infringements for fare evasion and monitor standards of service delivery by bus service contractors. The bus service contractors have an additional 21 authorised officers who can issue infringements for fare evasion. These officers conduct ticket inspections on a part-time basis in conjunction with other duties.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The estimated revenue lost to fare evasion is approximately $0.68 million a year. (2) Yes. Under the terms of the Transperth bus service contracts, the contractor is required to charge passengers the correct fare in accordance with passenger entitlements. Bus service contractors are required to have appropriate systems in place to ensure that correct fares are charged and entitlements checked. (3) (a) No. However it should be noted that Transperth’s new SmartRider ticketing system requires cardholders to prove their concession eligibility prior to being able to use a SmartRider card to obtain concession fares. In these circumstances, the concession type and expiry is encoded on the card so that the fare is automatically calculated when the card is used to tag on and off. For this reason, the driver is not required to check cardholders’ eligibility. (b) No; however, it is understood that the bus service contractors, as part of their training, instruct their drivers that in the interests of personal safety they are not to confront aggressive passengers about fares or entitlements. (4) Transperth has four full-time inspectors whose primary responsibility is to inspect passenger tickets, issue infringements for fare evasion and monitor standards of service delivery by bus service contractors. The bus service contractors have an additional 21 authorised officers who can issue infringements for fare evasion. These officers conduct ticket inspections on a part-time basis in conjunction with other duties.
(1) The estimated revenue lost to fare evasion is approximately $0.68 million a year. (2) Yes. Under the terms of the Transperth bus service contracts, the contractor is required to charge passengers the correct fare in accordance with passenger entitlements. Bus service contractors are required to have appropriate systems in place to ensure that correct fares are charged and entitlements checked. (3) (a) No. However it should be noted that Transperth’s new SmartRider ticketing system requires cardholders to prove their concession eligibility prior to being able to use a SmartRider card to obtain concession fares. In these circumstances, the concession type and expiry is encoded on the card so that the fare is automatically calculated when the card is used to tag on and off. For this reason, the driver is not required to check cardholders’ eligibility. (b) No; however, it is understood that the bus service contractors, as part of their training, instruct their drivers that in the interests of personal safety they are not to confront aggressive passengers about fares or entitlements. (4) Transperth has four full-time inspectors whose primary responsibility is to inspect passenger tickets, issue infringements for fare evasion and monitor standards of service delivery by bus service contractors. The bus service contractors have an additional 21 authorised officers who can issue infringements for fare evasion. These officers conduct ticket inspections on a part-time basis in conjunction with other duties.
(2) Yes. Under the terms of the Transperth bus service contracts, the contractor is required to charge passengers the correct fare in accordance with passenger entitlements. Bus service contractors are required to have appropriate systems in place to ensure that correct fares are charged and entitlements checked. (3) (a) No. However it should be noted that Transperth’s new SmartRider ticketing system requires cardholders to prove their concession eligibility prior to being able to use a SmartRider card to obtain concession fares. In these circumstances, the concession type and expiry is encoded on the card so that the fare is automatically calculated when the card is used to tag on and off. For this reason, the driver is not required to check cardholders’ eligibility. (b) No; however, it is understood that the bus service contractors, as part of their training, instruct their drivers that in the interests of personal safety they are not to confront aggressive passengers about fares or entitlements. (4) Transperth has four full-time inspectors whose primary responsibility is to inspect passenger tickets, issue infringements for fare evasion and monitor standards of service delivery by bus service contractors. The bus service contractors have an additional 21 authorised officers who can issue infringements for fare evasion. These officers conduct ticket inspections on a part-time basis in conjunction with other duties.
(3) (a) No. However it should be noted that Transperth’s new SmartRider ticketing system requires cardholders to prove their concession eligibility prior to being able to use a SmartRider card to obtain concession fares. In these circumstances, the concession type and expiry is encoded on the card so that the fare is automatically calculated when the card is used to tag on and off. For this reason, the driver is not required to check cardholders’ eligibility. (b) No; however, it is understood that the bus service contractors, as part of their training, instruct their drivers that in the interests of personal safety they are not to confront aggressive passengers about fares or entitlements. (4) Transperth has four full-time inspectors whose primary responsibility is to inspect passenger tickets, issue infringements for fare evasion and monitor standards of service delivery by bus service contractors. The bus service contractors have an additional 21 authorised officers who can issue infringements for fare evasion. These officers conduct ticket inspections on a part-time basis in conjunction with other duties.
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