Bus cheats made to pay

Date published: 12 December 2007

Bus cheats beware – transport bosses are launching a major crackdown on bus fraud in Greater Manchester.

GMPTE, Greater Manchester Travelcards Limited (GMTL) and local bus operators have teamed up to launch a Greater Manchester-wide campaign warning passengers to think twice about fare dodging.

The campaign will target people who try to avoid paying for their journey by using out-of-date tickets or misusing their GMPTE permit.

Passengers caught without a genuine ticket – or traveling outside their travelcard validity date – may be prosecuted and fined for committing a criminal offence.

Inspectors and bus drivers are now on the look-out for anyone using their travelcard or permit fraudulently or incorrectly.

Michael Renshaw, GMPTE’s Interim Service Delivery Director, said: "This campaign will target passengers who are misusing bus tickets, travelcards and permits in Greater Manchester.

"It’s simply not fair on passengers who do pay for their journeys to allow some people to get away with not paying. GMPTE, GMTL and the bus operators are no longer prepared to tolerate this.

"We already have inspectors who patrol bus services throughout Greater Manchester. In addition, bus drivers have now been instructed to confiscate any tickets that are being misused.

"I’d advise people to think twice before running the risk of using a bus pass or ticket that’s not valid, as the cost could be higher than you realise."

Posters have been displayed on buses and at bus stations and stops reminding people that bus drivers are now withdrawing tickets and passes that are not genuine or valid.

Parents are advised to ensure that their children are not misusing their GMPTE concessionary passes or scholar’s permits. GMPTE will not reissue any scholar’s permits that are confiscated having been misused.

Commenting, Paul Rowen MP said: "I am pleased with the action of local transport bosses.  People that attempt to get away with paying are depriving our transport system of much needed investment.  I am calling for anyone caught to named and shamed.  It is only by hitting offenders hard that we can send a clear message that fare dodging is unacceptable."