Meow-Meow tripped up by chip

SYDNEY: A scientist who implanted the chip from his electronic public transport card under his skin was fined in an Australian court yesterday for not being able to produce his ticket.

The 34- year- old, who changed his name to MeowLudo Disco Gamma MeowMeow, had correctly scanned his chip, which was implanted in his hand, and paid for his journey.

But when a ticket inspector asked him to produce his Opal travel card he was charged with travelling without a valid travel card and also for failing to produce a valid ticket for inspection.

The court fined him AU$220 (R2 000) and ordered him to pay court costs of AU$1 1 000.

The Transport Department warned passengers not to tamper with their travel cards, which are used to tap at electronic gates on platforms so that the fare can be charged.

Meow- Meow said outside court: “New technology can be scary if you don’t understand it.”– dpa