❓ Dr. Pettitt questions the exclusion of cash-paying travellers from the 'Summer of Free Public Transport' and the legality of fines issued during the period. The Minister defends the SmartRider requirement, citing benefits and the need for a valid ticket.
AnsweredQoN 1977Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Government's 'Summer of Free Public Transport' only being offered to holders of Smart Riders, and not travellers who choose to purchase their tickets with cash, and I ask: (a) is a traveller using
cash to purchase a ticket being discriminated against when they are
declined free public transport offered to Smart Rider users; (b) with regard to this
practice, did the Minister receive legal advice regarding the legality of preventing cash paying travellers access to free public transport; (c) with regard to this
practice, did the Department of Transport receive legal advice regarding the
legality of this practice of preventing cash paying travellers access to free
public transport; and (d) why did transit guards continue to fine passengers during the free transport period, amounting to a total of $400,000 in fines?
cash to purchase a ticket being discriminated against when they are
declined free public transport offered to Smart Rider users; (b) with regard to this
practice, did the Minister receive legal advice regarding the legality of preventing cash paying travellers access to free public transport; (c) with regard to this
practice, did the Department of Transport receive legal advice regarding the
legality of this practice of preventing cash paying travellers access to free
public transport; and (d) why did transit guards continue to fine passengers during the free transport period, amounting to a total of $400,000 in fines?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
7 May 2024
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services representing the Minister for Transport
Response time
4 days
(a)-(c) The State Government’s Summer of Free Public Transport was a cost-of-living relief measure that encouraged use of our world-class public transport system and provided free transport for thousands of people who used a SmartRider.
SmartRider use provides a number of benefits to passengers, including better on-time running of bus services, and faster and more convenient boarding for passengers. It also provides Transperth with essential passenger data required to better plan services to meet the needs of the community.
Ever since it was introduced 17 years ago, SmartRider use has attracted a discount – this initiative was no different.
(d) Passengers always require a valid ticket to travel on Transperth services, unless stated otherwise. The condition for free travel during the Summer of Free Public Transport was the use of a SmartRider.
SmartRider use provides a number of benefits to passengers, including better on-time running of bus services, and faster and more convenient boarding for passengers. It also provides Transperth with essential passenger data required to better plan services to meet the needs of the community.
Ever since it was introduced 17 years ago, SmartRider use has attracted a discount – this initiative was no different.
(d) Passengers always require a valid ticket to travel on Transperth services, unless stated otherwise. The condition for free travel during the Summer of Free Public Transport was the use of a SmartRider.
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