Yahoo Finance Aussie commuter rages at detail in $277 fine: 'I wanna scream so loud'
Ahead of its time in 2008, the Victorian government's now-dated digital ticketing system Myki isn't likely to win any new fans these days.
From the million-dollar iPhone app - paid for in 2019 that still hasn't eventuated - to buggy 3G connections and the inability to pay with a debit or credit card, there really isn't much good to say about the system in 2022.
One Melbourne commuter became especially outraged with Myki this week, posting an expletive-laden rant on Reddit after receiving a fine for failing to produce a valid ticket.
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However, what really perplexed the traveller was that her fine was more costly than a low-level speeding ticket for motorists.
"What the f**k. I got a Myki fine ($277) in the mail the same week my mate got a speeding fine ($230)," the woman wrote.
"I'm shocked. Failure to produce a valid ticket shouldn't be fined more than potentially putting someone's life in danger."
The passenger may have a point too: data from the Victorian Government's Transport Accident Commission showed 236 people died on the state's road's each year, with excessive speed being a contributing or causative factor in many of those deaths.
"Just drained a whole week's worth of pay to pay the fine off because I hardly have the capacity to pick up extra shifts," the unhappy commuter continued.
"Let alone take a whole day (or more including preparation) off to go to the effing magistrates court to contest it."
"I wanna scream so loud."
Rules baffle commuters
The post received hundreds of up-votes and supportive comments, with many users sharing their own ticket-enforcement horror stories.
One Reddit user highlighted some further irony, pointing out that motorists could often get out of a low-level speeding offence by requesting a warning.
"You're missing the best part, if [you're caught] low-level speeding and haven't had a traffic fine... you can get out of paying the traffic fine," the user wrote.
Another Redditor confirmed, writing: "No incidents within two years, and less than 10km/h over from memory. Then you can ask for an official warning."
Cost of living forces fare evasion
Others pointed out a $277 fine would be a painful hit to anyone already struggling to get by amid the rising cost of living.
"For those who can't afford a ticket, it can be the difference between eating for a week or becoming homeless," one user wrote.
Further down in the comments, the original poster revealed this was exactly why she didn't have a ticket.
"I'm eligible for concession and still struggle to afford that," she explained.
"I'm disabled and can only work part time.
"If they were even half the price it would be soooo much more accessible".
The Victorian government is currently looking to replace the dated $2 billion ticketing system, with an expression-of-interest process due to be completed before the Myki contract expires in 2023.
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