Every year, the public transport company in Western Sweden, Västtrafik, loses several hundred million kroner to “thieves”.
Now plainclothes inspectors will hunt down the ticket cheats.
– It is important that more people do the right thing for themselves, says CEO Lars Backström.
In total, Västtrafik, starting in February next year, will more than triple the number of ticket checks, from 3 million to 11 million annually. The majority involve traditional controls, with uniformed personnel. However, in parts of ticket zone A, which consists of Gothenburg and three border municipalities, civil inspectors must therefore be tested. This is on lines where today an open ticket system is used, where the traveler can get on the bus or tram without having to show the ticket.
– We see that when ticket inspectors go on these tours, many more people go off. Or choose not to attend. There is not really a cure for the ticket control, says Lars Backström.
“Many checks will be required”
Lars Bäckström cannot yet answer exactly how the civil controls will go, but the staff will identify themselves to the travelers with ID cards. According to Backström, there is currently a cheating rate of 12-14 percent in the open system, a little depending on the time of day. Now he wants to get down to 10 or even better 8 percent.
– We have a journey to make, he says. Many checks will be required. But with this expansion of controls and being able to test new tools, I think we can get close to that within a few years.