Fare evasion on the bus network is widespread.  On my route I would conservatively estimate that 25-30 per cent of patrons do not bother to swipe on, or just pretend to swipe on (the absence of a beep is a dead giveaway).

I agree the bus drivers should not intervene as it would be confrontational and delay other passengers.

Read more: Fare evaders making it tough on honest bus users | Your Say

That said, I cannot believe that the Transport Department is unaware of the problem.  The cost to the budget would be well in excess of $100,000 per annum (back of envelope calculation). If correct, it also implies the Department's much touted usage/compliance statistics are next to meaningless. 

A simple solution would be to have ticket inspectors randomly travel the network and fining transgressors. The message that using their Myki is a much cheaper option would soon become apparent to the freeloaders. The fines and the Myki fares recovered would more than cover the employment costs of inspectors.

On one occasion, I saw inspectors (from Melbourne?) patrolling the Railway bus-stop checking that patrons used their Myki as they boarded the bus. It was very funny to watch but blind freddy could see it that it is ineffectual as a tactic to prevent evasion. Some patrons departed to catch the bus at the next bus-stop.

Once again we have the CoGB Council spending rate payers money on ads and desperately trying to convince us all of what a great job they are doing.

The problem is that these are the jobs and services we not only expect but in fact are entitled to and the council itself is obligated to provide. It is very easy for our council to say they deliver services and maintain assets and so apart from a pat on their back what is achieved by this expensive waste of rate payers money?

 We have seen a number of other councils promoting their region by looking at both the internal and external benefits they have to offer and one which is a far cry from the self praise approach we see here,

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 We have seen this council use ads with an Irish actor to promote organic waste, which is a financial windfall for this council and one that has failed to deliver except for a completely unnecessary cost burden on rate payers. With less than 50 per cent of recyclables collected actually being recycled and almost all our garbage being expensively carted away to be dumped into another council’s tip.

The question should be how well are these services being delivered and given the council’s income are the rate payers really getting value or just spin. Out of over 70 Councils in Victoria the CoGB is in the top few of the highest rating councils and yet while they continue to spend more than 50 per cent of their rate able income on themselves and ads that are no more than spin and half truths ultimately meaning it is the rate payer who looses.

Have your say: Send letters to PO Box 61, Bendigo 3552 or at bendigoadvertiser.com.au

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