A recent announcement of a price increase by 4% (to 830 pesos, or over $1) for tickets on Santiago Metro‘s network has sparked a series of violent demonstrations at subway premises and in other locations in Chile’s capital. Protesters smashed glass, damaged gate turnstiles, burned busses and subway cars, and attacked police vehicles during the...
Subway fare hikes in Santiago, Chile turn deadly
Germany considers decriminalising fare dodging in public transport
Currently fare evasion might cost you a fine of 60 euros or jail time up to one year, although prison sentences are rare
Following a debate which we’ve written about earlier in January 2019, the state governments of Berlin and Thuringia have now submitted bills to downgrade the status of fare dodging in public transport from a criminal to a regulatory offence. Both governments argue that the current law of criminal prosecution does not offer a viable...
Spike in public transport fare evasion at Hong Kong’s MTR amid protests
Protesters are unhappy with MTR's decision to close some of its key stations and services in August 2019
In the light of the recent anti-government protests in Hong Kong, more passengers using MTR‘s public transport services have been found to be jumping over access gates and traveling without valid tickets. In August 2019, MTR (Mass Transit Railway Corporation) shut several stations and services in protest-hit areas arguing that this would help reduce...
Extra measures to fight fare dodging on Rome’s ATAC public transport network in 2019
In the first 7 months of 2019, 36% more passengers were checked and 42% more fines were issued, compared to the same period in 2018
With four million trips taken daily on Rome’s ATAC network, the public transport operator is taking extra measures to ensure that its revenue is not affected by fare evasion. In the first 7 months of 2019, 2 million 200 thousand passengers were checked (36% more than the same period in 2018), and 134 thousand...
SNCF upgrades to full-height access gates to reduce fare evasion
Under the new plan, 140 new gates at 34 stations will be installed at a total cost of 55 million euros
In July 2019 the Parisian station of Saint-Lazare has been the first one to receive the upgrades. According to the press release issued by SNCF, the cost raised to 14 million euros for this station, out of 55 million euros invested in total to replace 1.800 old access gates at 34 stations on its...
Transport for New South Wales takes tougher measures to reduce fare evasion
Since the implementation of the Opal Card in 2012 fare evasion has been in decline but it still cost taxpayers $83m in 2018
Transport for New South Wales (TfNSW) released new fare evasion figures. Reports show that the highest fare evasion rate has been on the Hunter line – at 13.6% over one year, equaling to revenue losses of about $351.000. TfNSW issued $1.4m in fines on this line from June 2018 to May 2018. In total,...
Metrolinx to save 3.75M by tackling fare evasion in 2019-2020
Fare evasion is lower in Canada compared to other parts of the world but a recent report indicates 15M loss yearly
Ontario’s Regional Transportation Agency Metrolinx has recently reported that it aims to save as much as 3.75M in 2019-2020 by taking a stricter stance on fare evasion on its network. This would amount to about 25% reduction in fraudulent incidents. As cited by the agency, most of the incidents happen on the Go Transit system...
Milan upgrades subway service gates to tackle fare evasion
Fare evasion fines have increased 33% in the past year
In its efforts to reduce subway fare evasion, Milan Transit Authority (ATM) recently announced it will deploy a new improved access gate system. This will become operational at Porta Genova, Cadorna, and Duomo subway stations starting in summer 2019. Compared to the old waist-height turnstiles, the new gates are 1.8m high and have a...
Fare evasion costs TfL £100m a year
This figure is almost £15m higher than previous estimates in 2016
Transport for London (TfL) is losing £100m to fare evasion yearly. People skip the fare in a wide range of ways from failing to tap the Oyster card in and out to using fake cards. Consequently, it is the first time the annual loss to fare dodging reaches a three digit number. The last...
Awareness campaign at Dubai buses to reduce bad behaviour
RTA hands out 6,000 leaflets at its two main bus stations to encourage good conduct after issuing over 37,000 fines in 2018
Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai issued more than 37,000 fines in 2018. The vast majority involved fare dodgers who did not pay for their ride. Consequently, the agency has launched an awareness campaign to reduce “uncivilised behaviour” on buses. The awareness campaign has basically consisted in handing out 6,000 brochures at Al...