On-the-spot override fines
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OVERRIDING bus passengers in Merseyside could find themselves faced with a fine of up to £50 if they are prosecuted as the result of a Private Bill now before Parliament.
The Merseyside Passenger Transport Bill submitted by the Merseyside PTE seeks powers, among others, to charge on the spot penalties.
If the proposal receives the authority of Parliament, passengers detected overriding can be asked to pay an on-the-spot penalty of £1. If the payment is delayed but made within 21 days, the penalty will be £2.
Should the passenger wish to challenge the imposition of the penalty through the courts, an adverse decision to him will cost him a fine of up to £50, but in this case the undertaking will not benefit from the fine. It will instead go to the Exchequer.
K. Hannis, Merseyside's divisional manager (south) told CM that the PTE operation is about 93 per cent one-man operated which makes overriding particularly difficult to detect.
Though drivers do their best to make sure that the correct fare is paid and passengers do not travel beyond their stated destination, the undertaking, like many other large bus operators, is concerned about the loss of revenue involved.
Principal powers sought by the Bill are to abandon two ferry services administered by the PTE.