Students have expressed frustration at Public Transport Victoria’s on-the-spot fine policy, saying it effectively punishes those least able to pay.
As a Julian Burnside-led team prepares to wage a legal battle against PTV’s “standover” tactics, Youthlaw has raised concerns on-the-spot fines discriminate against low-income commuters.
Tiffany Overall, advocacy and human rights officer at Youthlaw, said it is unfair to place a higher financial burden on people without the capacity to pay $75 upfront.
“[Young people] are already a financially disadvantaged part of the community, and they are even further disadvantaged by not being able to get off with a reduced fine.”
Sam Blake was ready to pay a $75 upfront fine when he was caught with three Mykis on negative balance, but his credit card was declined because there wasn’t enough money on it.
“I think it’s a bit of a tax on the poor, now I have to pay $227 – I’m basically buying the right to appeal,” he said.
Jackson Leigh also couldn’t pay his $75 on-the-spot fine when he was caught without a valid ticket on the tram.
“I didn’t really have the money, but also I thought I could appeal. So now there’s a big fine being posted to me in the mail.”
Overall said she has spoken with young people who feel the authorised officers have hassled or intimidated them into paying the upfront fine – even when they might have had a legitimate reason to travel without a valid ticket.
“In some instances, people have taken all steps to have a valid Myki, so they should be able to contest it, and it’s not good enough for Public Transport Victoria to say ‘bad luck’.”
John Viljoen said he has had a couple of fines after not tapping on – but he’s come around to the convenience of the on-the-spot fine.
“The effort of appealing and going to court just isn’t worth the $75 fine.”
