Train ticket upset

Jack Werrett 

Some V/Line passengers on the Bendigo line are getting a free ride by taking advantage myki ticketing, a Woodend commuter says. 
Sunbury commuters can ride V/Line trains to and from Melbourne without proving they have paid for a ticket, while Macedon Ranges passengers' tickets are inspected.
The introduction of the Metro service at Sunbury has given Sunbury residents the choice between the Metro and V/Line services. 
However, V/Line ticket inspectors are unable to check myki passes - the ticketing system newly introduced in Sunbury, but not yet in the Macedon Ranges (Macedon Ranges train stations still using paper tickets).
A regular Woodend commuter, who wishes to remain anonymous due to the animosity between Sunbury and Macedon Ranges passengers, says passengers who board V/Line services at Sunbury are rarely asked by conductors to show their myki passes.
"Conductors barely ever ask commuters who board at Sunbury to show their myki cards. Even on one occasion when the conductor did, customers just ignored him and he gave up," he says.
The same applies on the return journey from Southern Cross station, with people packing on V/Line services and exiting at Sunbury assuming they won't be asked to show their myki passes.
"V/Line trains from the city are packed every night as people know they can ride for free to Sunbury," he says.
Even if commuters have a myki, conductors aboard V/Line services have no way of checking whether or not it has funds on it or whether it has been swiped on by the commuter before boarding the service.
The Woodend commuter has asked V/Line to refund his ticket as he doesn't feel he should be paying while others travel for free. And he says he is not alone.
"There is a group of us who want our tickets refunded. I pay something in excess of $3000 a year for a ticket and others will not pay a cent, it's not fair at all," he says.
There has been an ongoing debate about whether Sunbury passengers should be allowed to catch V/Line trains since Metro services began operating in Sunbury late last year.
A 75 signature strong petition calling for Sunbury customers to be banned from V/Line services circulated late last year, but Sunbury residents are still allowed to catch either V/Line or Metro services.
A Public Transport Victoria spokesperson says passengers with invalid tickets risk being fined.
"Authorised officers check tickets at stations and on trains and anyone found travelling without a valid ticket risks receiving a fine," the spokesperson says.
"Myki is valid for travel on V/Line services between Sunbury and Melbourne. 
"As with all other services, myki must always be touched on to be valid and authorised officers will report passengers who do not have a valid ticket for travel."