Passenger evasion

Passenger fraud usually occurs through completely avoiding the payment or validation of the fare for the intended journey, or paying the fare for a shorter journey than that intended to be taken.

Complete avoidance of fare payment is difficult in most closed-access transport systems, such as Bus Rapid Transit or Metro, but can be achieved more readily on crowded vehicles on which roving conductors are deployed. However the least secure systems are those that rely on self-validation of pre-purchased tickets unless an intensive and effective inspection regime has been put in place.

Where a graduated fare structure applies, there is a strong personal temptation to underpay for the planned journey and then to continue traveling on the vehicle beyond the point of fare authorization. The threat of detection is confined to the last part of the journey, where the over-riding offence is actually being committed, and may then be seen as an acceptable risk. Zonal fare structures are more effective in this regard, as an intensive inspection regime can be arranged at the zone boundary.

Other frauds include using a ticket or pass that is invalid, out of date, or issued originally to a third person. Abuse of concessionary fare travel documents is commonly seen. An audit in Sydney found 40% of detected ticket misuse on buses related to various concessionary fare products.