Fare evasion questions and answers
What is a transit officer?
RailCorp transit officers are employed to ensure your safety while travelling on trains and at stations. They have the power of arrest and work in conjunction with police in areas specified by CountryLink and police intelligence. They have the power to issue infringement notices for ticketing, safety, behavioural, property and compliance offences and have the power to arrest people and ask them to leave trains and stations.
Transit Officers are empowered under the Rail Safety Act (2002) and the Rail Safety (General) Regulation (2003) to ask passengers to produce valid tickets and/or concession cards.
What is an infringement notice?
An infringement notice is a fine that is issued by transit officers. The notice states the type of offence and the penalty that applies to it.
What can I be fined for?
Some examples of fines include:
- travelling without a valid ticket;
- travelling on a concession ticket to which you are not entitled;
- interfering with automatic doors on trains, e.g. holding them open;
- using offensive language;
- taking alcohol onto CountryLink trains or stations;
- smoking any substance on trains or undercover station area;
- writing, drawing or affixing anything to RailCorp property, e.g. graffiti;
- failing to supply correct name and address; and
- hindering or obstructing an authorised officer.
What is the fine given for travelling without a valid ticket?
The on-the-spot fine is $200. Please note a maximum fine of $550 may be imposed if the matter is heard in court.
Why do I have to show my ticket and my concession card?
Under the Rail Safety Regulation 1999, all passengers are required to produce valid tickets on request. If you are travelling on a concession ticket, you must also produce a valid concession card to prove your entitlement to the concession fare.
You may be issued with an infringement notice if you are unable to produce your concession card when asked to do so. Concession cards that are blank, incomplete, being misused or breaching any of the card's conditions may be confiscated. Proof of identity may also be required.
What are my rights of review if I feel I have been unjustly issued with an infringement notice?
You can elect to have the matter heard before a magistrate - simply follow the instructions provided on the infringement notice. The law states you must purchase a ticket before travelling on a CountryLink train.
RailCorp 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.
