New measures to curb fare-dodging on public transport

The development, competitiveness, infrastructure, transport and networks ministry on Thursday announced plans for further measures to curb fare-dodging on Athens public transport, in order to avoid raising fares. The decision was made at a meeting chaired by the general secretary for transport Nikos Stathopoulos

Those present said that measures taken last September had raised revenues but had to continue to avoid further ticket increases in October, when the issue was examined in collaboration with Greece’s troika of lenders. They predicted that fare increases can be avoided and would in all cases be less than the 25 percent called for in bailout agreements.

Stathopoulos said that the target was to increase OASA revenues by 10 percent, or 25 million euros.

A measure to be introduced before the end of June is that of allowing passengers to only board from the front of the bus, so that they must go past the driver and he can check if they stamp their ticket. In addition, passengers will also be able to buy tickets in the bus, though at a higher price (1.50 instead of 1.40 euros). There will also be an increase in the number of ticket inspectors.

The ministry is still working on measures to discourage exchange of still valid tickets between passengers, possibly by allowing ticket holders to ‘trade in’ the remaining time on their tickets.

Stathopoulos noted the high rates of fare-dodging in Greece, which he said currently ranged between 15-20 percent of passengers and said the aim was to restrict this to 5 percent on trains and 10 percent on buses.

source: AMNA