Trying to avoid paying the fares? Think twice...

Have you ever tried to avoid paying the fares when boarding a bus or the MRT? Well,think again if you are planning to do it the next time you are boarding a public transport.If you havn't heard the news yesterday,there will be a new rule for commuters who are caught not paying or under-paying bus and MRT fares and you are not going to like it.

Starting from July onwards,those offenders who are caught not paying or under-paying bus and MRT fares will face a S$20 fine.Meanwhile,for those who misuse concession cards will also face a S$50 penalty.The Public Transport Council said this move is to stop dishonest passengers from getting away with free rides.Unlike bus services,train services already have existing regulations to deal with passengers who evade fares.The PTC said it will launch an awareness programme later this month to inform commuters of the penalty fee for fare evasion before it kicks in on July 1.Under this programme,posters and brochures will be displayed at bus interchanges.You do not need to worry too much if you happen to make a genuine mistake.Lets say,you accidentally use a children EZ-link card when you should use the adult EX-link card because you appeal for a recourse on the penalty fee.You just have to fill up an appeal form which can be downloaded from this website, www.ptc.gov.sg and submit it to the PTC within 14 days from the date of the imposition of the penalty fee.

I have a mix feeling when I first heard about this news.I am happy firstly because this mean that those offenders who purposely tries to avoid paying the fares or under paying it will be punish because I have seen many cases when they try to 'cheat'.An example would be when the board bus,they will move quickly to the back and tap on the EZ-link machine at the exit door and then they will sit down as if they had done nothing wrong.I despise people like this and to fine them would be a good action.However,I am unhappy because I do believe sometimes,we do make genuine mistake.That was once an incident which involve my mum.She accidentally used a children EZ-link card when boarding the bus without realising it and it was just unfortunate that a bus inspector would be doing a checking on the bus and the children EZ-link card has to be confiscated even though my mum explained to the bus inspector that it was a genuine mistake.Of course the bus inspector refused to believe it and she had to claim back to card from the EZ-link office.No fine was imposed then.

I dont really like the idea of imposing a fine but I think there is no other way to punish the offenders.Anyway,2o bucks and 50 bucks is not that much to be honest,and it is easy to pay your fine.I am just wondering how would they make a decision on whether it was a really genuine mistake because I think almost everyone will write in to appeal whether they did it deliberately or not.Nobody would want to admit their wrong actions.I then thought maybe the bus could install CCTV just maybe on the exit door so that they could play back the video if anyone is trying to 'cheat'.Since they can see the passengers entering from the front,no CCTV is required there.An accurate judgement could then be made in this way rather by just making a decision base on an appeal letter.While that may sound feasible,I think it will require a lot of money and hence,an increase in the bus fares.

Anyway,I would love to hear your views on this issue.Do you think it is fair and do you think the amount of fines are reasonable? Have you ever try to avoid paying the fares? Do tell me.

*The report was taken from ChannelNewsAsia.