Australia
In Victoria, Revenue Protection Officers also patrol Yarra Trams and Metro Trains Melbourne services. They were introduced in a bid to curb fare evasion after conductors were taken away from the trams. Replacement of conductors with ticket machines as the point of sale method has also resulted in thousands of commuters evading fares on Melbourne trams. Many people view RPIs and RPOs negatively, and in the discharge of their duties, they regularly face being verbally abused and sometimes physically assaulted. It is believed that an estimated 1500 people are reported each week on services.
In New South Wales, revenue protection on its rail network were primarily the responsibility of Transit Officers. Like their Victorian counterparts, these transit officers also carry out security patrols on trains and railway stations, with the power of issuing on-the-spot fines for minor offences, and even to use "reasonable force" to make arrests. Revenue Protection on the NSW State Government-owned Sydney Buses & Sydney Ferries was done by "State Transit Revenue Protection Officers" (RPO's).
However, since April 2013, an initiative by the NSW State Government has seen the merging of Transit Officers, State Transit RPO's & NSW Police under the NSW Police Force's Public Transport Command. NSW Police, RPO's and Transit Officers now work together on fare evasion, graffiti and other (http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/nsw-commuters-warned-to-pay-fares/story-e6frfku9-1226620402977)
In Queensland, Queensland Rail, and Translink employ Transit Officers to patrol trains, buses and ferry services.
Read more about this topic: Revenue Protection Inspector
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