Fare evasion must be rife in the evenings

[Mark Gleeson]

Far too many cases of RPU staff exceeding their authority and intimidating passengers, demanding information they have no legal authority to demand.

If they don't know the terms and conditions of travel, the bye laws and the rail safety act they should not be checking tickets. They well know cross route fares are not available from the the TVM's.

The fact many fines have been withdrawn on appeal proves the point. I am aware that district managers have had to intervene to deal with situations the RPU should never had issued fines in the first place.

The legal position requires that Irish Rail prove intent to defraud, if the passenger can show negligence or incompetence they win. If the ticket machine cannot issue the requested ticket, its defective.