Fare evasion - FAQs

Q: What is a Transit Officer?
A: RailCorp Transit Officers are employed to ensure the safety of customers while travelling on trains and at stations. They have the power of arrest and work in conjunction with the Police on targeted lines specified by RailCorp and Police intelligence. They have the power to issue penalty notices for ticketing, safety, behavioural, property & compliance offences and have the power to ask people to leave trains and stations.

Transit Officers are empowered under the Rail Safety Act 2002 to ask passengers to produce a valid ticket and/or concession card for their journey.

Q: What is an penalty notice?
A: A penalty notice is a fine that is issued by Transit Officers. The Notice states the type of offence and the penalty that applies to it.

Q: What can I be fined for?
A: Some examples of fines include:

Ticketing
1. Travelling without a valid ticket
2. Travelling on a concession ticket to which you are not entitled

Safety
1. Interfering with automatic doors on trains ie holding them open

Behavioural
1. Use of offensive language
2. Alcohol consumption on trains or stations
3. Smoking of any substance on trains or undercover area of stations

Property
1. Write, draw or affix anything to RailCorp property ie grafitti

Compliance
1. Failing to supply correct name and address
2. Hindering or obstructing an authorised officer

Q: Can I pay at my destination?
A: No. It is your responsibility to arrive at the station in sufficient time and with appropriate funds to purchase a ticket for your journey.

It is not a reasonable excuse to say:

• I was running late and would have missed my train if I purchased a ticket
• There was a long queue to buy my ticket
• The vending machine was showing 'Exact Fare Only' and I didn't have the correct change

Transit Officers will take into account if the ticket vending machine at the station you travelled from was inaccessible to you or out of order. This can be easily and quickly checked.

Remember it is your responsibility to purchase a ticket before you travel.

Q: What is the fine given for travelling without a valid ticket?
A: The on-the-spot fine is $200. Please note a maximum fine of $550 plus court costs may be imposed if the matter is heard in court.

Q: What happens if I don't have a valid ticket?
A: If you travel on a train or attempt to travel on a train without a valid ticket you are breaking the law. Transit Officers have the authority to:

• Ask passengers for their name and address
• Ask passengers for their concession card
• Detain a passenger for the length of time it takes to obtain the relevant information
• Detain a passenger who refuses to give their name and address
• Can issue a passenger with a penalty notice.

Q: Why do I have to show my ticket and my concession card?
A: Under the Rail Safety Regulation 2003, all passengers are required to produce a valid ticket on request. If you are travelling on a concession ticket, you must also produce your valid concession card to prove your entitlement to the concession fare.

You may be issued with a penalty notice if you are unable to produce your concession card when asked to do so.

Q: Can I have my concession card confiscated?
A: Yes. Transit Officers have the right to confiscate concession cards that are blank, incomplete, being misused or breaching any of the card's conditions. Proof of identity may also be required.

Q: What happens if I leave my ticket behind, lose my ticket or have my ticket stolen?
A: It is your responsibility to purchase a replacement ticket before you travel.

Q: What are my rights of review if I feel I have been unjustly issued with a penalty notice?
A: You can elect to have the matter heard before a Magistrate - simply follow the instructions provided on the penalty notice.

The law states that you must purchase a ticket before travelling on a CityRail train.

CityRail uses the revenue raised from ticket sales to run a complex rail system and to improve and extend the level of services to our passengers.

There are strict penalties for passengers who don't buy a ticket and there are more Transit Officers than ever before.

The presence of Transit Officers on stations and trains also helps to create a safer environment for our passengers.