Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today announced recruitment is now underway for 65 additional Transport Officers to boost the number of officers checking tickets on trains, buses, ferries and light rail.
The new recruits will join 150 Transport Officers who already work alongside the Police Transport Command to help customers and target fare evasion on public transport. This will bring the total number of Transport Officers to 215.
Ms Berejiklian said the NSW Government’s strategy to reduce fare evasion was proving a success, with more people buying tickets and more than 111,000 fines issued since Transport Officers started in May 2013.
“Our existing 150 Transport Officers are issuing the same amount of fines as Labor’s whole squad of old RailCorp transit officers,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Transport Officers work closely with the Police Transport Command, who in addition have issued more than 100,000 infringements on the transport network for offences including fare evasion.
“Fare evasion costs taxpayers millions of dollars a year, and while the majority of customers do the right thing, it’s frustrating when others don’t pay their way. It also means less money to spend on extra transport services and new infrastructure.”
The boost in numbers means Transport Officers will be able target Sydney hot spots and outer suburban areas, including Wollongong, the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast.
Ms Berejiklian said Transport Officers now have new technology to help them tackle fare evasion more effectively.
“Transport Officers are now equipped with a handheld smart device which automatically sends infringement notices in the post, meaning less time on administration and more time helping customers and reducing fare evasion,” she said.
“Transport Officers also use hand-held Opal readers to scan customers’ Opal cards and ensure people have tapped on correctly – another important way we’re tackling fare evasion.”
The NSW Government has also introduced an initiative to turn off concession sales at ticket machines at selected stations, ensuring customers need to show proof of entitlement.
“Since the move, concession sales have dropped by 10 per cent and full price tickets increased by the same amount, meaning 4 million extra full price tickets will be purchased this year,” she said.
“We are sending a strong message to those who might normally travel without tapping on with their Opal card, or carrying the right ticket or concession, that the days of getting away with fare evasion are over.”
A recruitment campaign for the new Transport Officers is now underway, training for the additional officers will start in January and the first of the new officers will be on the job by April 2015.