Fine for commuters who evade or underpay bus and train fares upped from $20 to $50

Commuters caught for not paying their bus and train fares, or underpaying them, will face stiffer penalties. PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - Commuters caught for not paying their bus and train fares, or underpaying them, will face stiffer penalties from Monday (Feb 29).

The fine will be more than doubled, from $20 now to $50, the Public Transport Council (PTC) said in a press release. The penalty of $50 will also apply to those who misuse concession tickets.

PTC chief executive Alvin Chia said on Thursday: "The tougher measures are intended as a strong deterrence against the evasion of public transport fares, and hence minimise free-riding behaviour.

"This is only fair to the large majority of our commuters who pay the correct fares for their journeys," he added.

From Feb 29, enforcement action will also be more rigorous. As part of the revised framework, action can be taken against commuters who try to travel for free, such as "tail-gating" other commuters past fare gantries.

Currently, commuters have to board the train and travel a distance, before action can be taken against them.

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