Home / Business and Economy / WA Buses Lose Millions in Unpaid Fares
WA Buses Lose Millions in Unpaid Fares
6 Nov
Summary
- 1.8 million unpaid fares recorded in five months.
- Lost fares could have generated over $1.7 million.
- School students account for 60% of unpaid boardings.
In Western Australia, bus drivers recorded a staggering 1.8 million unpaid fares between February 2026 and June 2026. This five-month period saw a significant number of passengers not purchasing tickets or failing to tag on and off with their SmartRider.
The Public Transport Authority (PTA) estimates that these unpaid fares could have generated over $1.7 million. School students were identified as the primary group, accounting for 59% of the non-ticketed boardings, despite the 'Ride to School Free Program'.
This data collection began because the PTA observed buses operating at full capacity, with patronage data not reflecting the actual demand. The authority emphasizes that capturing this passenger data is crucial for efficient network operation, service planning, and security.
To address the issue, Transperth has launched advertising campaigns and conducted school visits to educate students, teachers, and parents on the importance of tagging on and off. The PTA also employs authorized officers and CCTV to detect and deter fare evasion, stating that evasion rates remain very low.
