|
COMMUTERS caught evading or under-paying fares on public bus and train services will be fined $20 from July 1.
Those who misuse concession cards, for example, students and National Servicemen, will face a stiffer penalty of $50.
The Public Transport Council said on Friday the penalty is to deter fare evasion on basic bus and train services.
Currently, only train services have regulations for fare evasion, said the PTC.
'The penalty fee regulations will remove this disparity that exists between the two modes of public transport,' it said in a statement.
Mr Gerard Ee, chairman of the council, said: 'Fare evasion is a dishonest act. The penalty fee is to discourage such behaviour.
'Commuters who are already paying the correct fares will not be affected as the penalty fee system is targeted at fare evaders only.'
The penalty fee will not apply to a child under 0.9 metre in height.
A commuter slapped with a fine can appeal within 14 days to the PTC.
Public transport operators SBS Transit and SMRT will roll out an awareness programme to inform commuters of the penalty for fare evasion before the regulations kick in on July 1.
Transit Link will separately announce the implementation of the penalty fee system.
| 
