POLICE REFUSE TO HUNT FOR TICKETLESS PASSENGERS
Minsktrans, the state-run public transport operator in the Belarusian capital, has no contract with the police, the European Radio for Belarus has learned. Controllers can only ask ticketless passengers ("hares" in Belarus) to get off or they can draw up a protocol if passangers agree. No more police vans standing by together with transport controllers at bus stops.
“Previously, we had a contract with the Police Department and we invited officers to control passengers on public transport. But this agreement has been terminated. The police said it was not their function and that they had other things to do. At the moment, this measure is no longer in place", Hanna Mikhaylouskaya, the financial manager at Minsktrans told the European Radio for Belarus.
ERB: "Do controllers have the right to detain a ticketless passenger if there is no police officer around?"
Hanna Mikhaylouskaya: “No. They can only draw up a protocol... How can they detain a "hare"?”
ERB: “What happens if a ticketless passenger refuses to pay a fine or get off? What can controllers do in this situation?”
Hanna Mikhaylouskaya: “They are banned from using force. They have the right to ask that passenger to leave the vehicle without paying a fare. They cannot force passengers out by means of force”.
Hanna Mikhaylouskaya also said that discount tickets that remained in stock after the abolition of benefits on December 17 would possibly be processed and reprinted and sold again as full-price tickets.
Photo by bymedia.net
“Previously, we had a contract with the Police Department and we invited officers to control passengers on public transport. But this agreement has been terminated. The police said it was not their function and that they had other things to do. At the moment, this measure is no longer in place", Hanna Mikhaylouskaya, the financial manager at Minsktrans told the European Radio for Belarus.
ERB: "Do controllers have the right to detain a ticketless passenger if there is no police officer around?"
Hanna Mikhaylouskaya: “No. They can only draw up a protocol... How can they detain a "hare"?”
ERB: “What happens if a ticketless passenger refuses to pay a fine or get off? What can controllers do in this situation?”
Hanna Mikhaylouskaya: “They are banned from using force. They have the right to ask that passenger to leave the vehicle without paying a fare. They cannot force passengers out by means of force”.
Hanna Mikhaylouskaya also said that discount tickets that remained in stock after the abolition of benefits on December 17 would possibly be processed and reprinted and sold again as full-price tickets.
Photo by bymedia.net
