Canberra Metro apologises to teenager threatened with light rail fine for not carrying ID

Canberra Metro apologised to the 16-year-old girl and her family. Photo: George Tsotsos.

Canberra Metro said it is reviewing its procedures and response after staff threatened to fine a teenager for not carrying ID while on a light rail vehicle last Saturday (29 June).

Around 7:30 pm, customer service officers checked the tickets of all passengers on the light rail vehicle departing from Alinga Stop. Staff checked a passenger travelling on a student MyWay card who was unable to produce ID.

A Transport Canberra spokesperson said that in accordance with their procedures, staff told the passenger they needed to purchase a full fare ticket at the next stop or risk being fined $75 for not producing required evidence.

The passenger, a 16-year-old girl, chose to exit the light rail vehicle at Dickson Stop. She then re-boarded the next northbound light rail vehicle where her ticket was again checked and she was issued an official warning.

“Passenger safety and wellbeing is fundamental to our operation and Canberra Metro is following this incident and reviewing its procedures and response,” the spokesperson said.

“Canberra Metro has been in direct contact with the family and apologised for any distress this incident may have caused.”

In another incident, a 17-year-old girl was issued a $75 fine for drinking a can of soft drink while on board a vehicle, before later being downgraded to a warning. The Transport Canberra spokesperson said signage advising passengers that drinking and eating are not permitted was not visible and is in the process of being installed.

Since the light rail began charging its customers on 27 May, two adults have been issued with infringement notices for failing to have paid the correct fare, incurring a $181 fine.

The spokesperson said Canberra Metro employs 15 customer service officers, who are trained in revenue protection and are authorised officers.

“Revenue protection is conducted on board light rail vehicles and at stops,” the spokesperson said. “Authorised persons or police may request a passenger to produce a valid ticket or Myway card for inspection including applicable concessionary entitlement.”