£70 tram fines for fare dodgers are ‘too high’
SHOPPERS SAY PENALTIES TOO HIGH FOR CHEATS
ANYONE without a ticket on NET Trams in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire could face a fine of £70 – and many city shoppers think it is too high.
Penalty fines were previously £50, but as of October 1 last year, fines for ticket dodgers were increased to £70.
Nottingham’s tram network says it has “zero tolerance” for fare dodgers and will be issuing £70 fines for anyone who boards the service without a ticket.
But people in the city told the Post what they think about the £70 penalty fee.
Julianne Warnock, from Nottingham, said that the previous fine was high enough.
Mrs Warnock added: “I thought £50 was an adequate fine.
“It’s a lot, really. People that are dodging perhaps don’t have a lot of money.
“There’s always going to be that group that if an inspector comes on, they jump off.”
But Aldrin Jacob, 21, said the penalty fare was suitable.
The student said: “I think it’s pretty reasonable. There’s this other chance where you face prosecution – it’s a little stupid. The penalty is all right, so people don’t fee dodge.”
Aldrin’s friend Diya, also a student, added: “I think £70 is way too high, honestly. What if someone can’t pay it?”
Susan Buchanan, from Arnold, said that a smaller fine would be fairer. The 55-year-old said: “I always pay. To be honest I rarely get my ticket checked.
“I can understand why – I usually tell people that are visiting and people that are getting on innocently.
“It’s probably fair, if you’re generally skipping then yes. Paying a little more if you get caught on the tram seems fairer.”
Trevor Stocker, head of operations at NET, has outlined the main problems facing the network between February and May 2022.
He said: “As Covid restrictions were eased, like many other transport operators we have experienced an increase in incidents, including damage to ticket vending machines, validators and tram windows.
“A number of NET employees have also been subjected to verbal abuse. “We are working closely with local police, British Transport Police, community policing teams, city centre management, and other transport operators to share trends and intelligence. “Thanks to our extensive CCTV coverage, partnership working, and proactive policing with uniformed and plain-clothed patrols, a number of arrests have been made.” Incidents involving anti-social behaviour also included schoolchildren on the tracks in the Clifton area and at the Meadows Embankment. He said NET operates a “zero tolerance” fare evasion campaign.
It’s a lot, really. People that are dodging perhaps don’t have a lot of money
Julianne Warnock