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SINGAPORE: Commuters who are caught not paying or under-paying bus and MRT fares will face a S$20 fine, starting this July. Those who misuse concession cards will also face a S$50 penalty.
The Public Transport Council (PTC) said this move is to stop dishonest passengers from getting away with free rides.
Unlike bus services, train services already have existing regulations to deal with passengers who evade fares.
Some passengers said they have witnessed how others try to avoid paying bus fares.
One said: "He cut a one-dollar note into two, rolled half of it and used it to pay for a ticket. He would then use the other half another time."
"They just board the bus without tapping their EZ-link cards," another said.
Some adult train passengers have also resorted to using their children's cards.
The PTC said it will launch an awareness programme later this month to inform commuters of the penalty fee for fare evasion before it kicks in on July 1.
Under this programme, posters and brochures will be displayed at bus interchanges.
While most Singaporeans agree that the fines imposed are reasonable, some want to know what happens to those who have made a genuine mistake.
The PTC said commuters may seek recourse on the penalty fee if they feel they have been wrongly penalised.
They can fill up an appeal form which can be downloaded from www.ptc.gov.sg and submit it to the PTC within 14 days from the date of the imposition of the penalty fee.
Fees can be paid on-the-spot to Public Transport officials or at top-up machines in bus interchanges and MRT stations, as well as at the TransitLink Ticket offices.
- CNA/so
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