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Unread 15-12-2013, 20:01   #1
Destructix
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Default Inspection blitz uncovers widespread free travel pass fraud

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Iarnród Éireann and the Department of Social Protection say they have uncovered widespread fraud in the use of free travel passes issued by the Department in an ongoing inspection blitz launched last weekend.
"Many holders were found to be travelling on out of date passes including one woman who was travelling on a pass that was out of date since 2007", a joint statement said.
"Many others were found to be travelling on a pass that was issued to somebody else", it added.
Passes being used fraudulently were confiscated with fines of up to €100.
Over 50 inspectors were involved in the 7 December blitz checking passes on Cork Commuter lines and services between Athlone-Galway, Mullingar-Dublin and Limerick Junction-Ennis.
Exit checks were also carried out at Connolly, Pearse, Tara Street, and Heuston stations in Dublin.
Iarnród Éireann says more blitzes are planned.
The company says it has allocated extra resources to tackle fare evasion and fraudulent use of free travel passes.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/1215/493...-travel-blitz/
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Unread 16-12-2013, 00:28   #2
Jamie2k9
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http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakin...wn-617225.html

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More than 300 were taken away for verification.
If that number is correct its crazy how they left it so long.
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Unread 16-12-2013, 08:10   #3
comcor
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A fine of only €100 makes it worth taking the risk.
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Unread 16-12-2013, 09:22   #4
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Originally Posted by comcor View Post
A fine of only €100 makes it worth taking the risk.
I think it's likely down to the relative lack of checks. If you're unlikely to be caught, the fine is irrelevant.
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Unread 16-12-2013, 16:52   #5
AD11
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Long overdue. Have seen people show those passes and blatantly sniggering at IR's stupidity after the inspector moves on.

I did see a woman use her mothers pass and it was confiscated but she was blatantly arguing with the checker that it was her pass until he left the scene. Then she just laughed and said to her travelling partner something like ah well we got away with for a good long spell. Brazen!

People with valid tickets get checked more frequently.
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Unread 16-12-2013, 17:26   #6
James Howard
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I wonder what the consequences for a valid pass-holder who has loaned their pass to somebody else would be. Hopefully a good long spell without a pass is in order unless it has been reported stolen.

The fines for abusing a free-travel pass should be a lot higher given how easy it is to get away with it. The present 100 euro fine is nowhere near high enough to be an adequate deterrent.
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Unread 17-12-2013, 09:32   #7
comcor
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Originally Posted by markpb View Post
I think it's likely down to the relative lack of checks. If you're unlikely to be caught, the fine is irrelevant.
It's a combination of the two.

If there were very few checks, but a fine of €10,000, there wouldn't be much evasion.

If there were loads of checks and a relatively low fine, it would have the same effect.

The second is probably preferable as you don't unduly punish people who have made a genuine mistake like losing their ticket. However, it requires more resources be invested.
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Unread 17-12-2013, 11:45   #8
Colm Moore
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It's a combination of the two.

If there were very few checks, but a fine of €10,000, there wouldn't be much evasion.

If there were loads of checks and a relatively low fine, it would have the same effect.

The second is probably preferable as you don't unduly punish people who have made a genuine mistake like losing their ticket. However, it requires more resources be invested.
It is about striking a balance. The most honest 10% will go to extraordinary measures to pay. Most people will normally buy a ticket. The least honest 5% will go to extraordinary measures to not pay - it can cost money to make some of these people to pay. It is about chasing the middle group, in particular the last 5-20%.
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