I read something in mX (a free daily rag that is available in the CBD) today that I found myself of two minds about. May 1st has apparently been marked as ‘Become a Fare Evader Day’ - as some form of protest to the failings of our public transport system. The Facebook group where much of the rallying was done has over 1,700 members and they seem to be specifically targeting Connex, the train company.

I remember when (this is going to make me sound SO old) a daily ticket cost $1.80, and how shocked we were when it went up FIVE WHOLE CENTS. Now, the increases are much larger, and the service has declined at a much faster rate than I ever expected. Packed trains, only running three out of six carriages during peak hour, endless delays and cancellations - add fare increases to that, and no wonder we’re pissed off.

Still, what will this ‘protest’ accomplish? As it stands, thousands of people take free rides every year; I’ve done it myself on occasion. The way I see it, although the protest hit Connex right in the wallet (which admittedly will have great impact), did it really do anything to help further the fight for improved public transport? People were either fined (and Connex will no doubt make SURE they pay), or they got away with it.

Despite how unhappy I am with the public transport system, I would never take part in such a protest. Breaking the law is not sending the right message - it is basically telling the government, “We are demanding, whining children. Look! We’re doing something illegal to get attention, so you will do what we want!” We should be saying, “We’re not happy - please do something about this!”

Alas, the message we should be sending has not been noticed, because of the illegal nature of the protest. Targeting Connex did nothing to alert the government to the problem; they deal with fare evaders everyday - are completely over them in fact - and they are not going to be intimidated by people whining about ticket prices and holding up the already too long queues in and out of the stations by not having a ticket.

Sorry, fare evaders, but you FAIL. Completely. I paid for my trip, and because of the exact immaturity and selfishness you all displayed today, the next increase in ticket price is going to hit everyone that little bit harder. Thanks for nothing, jerks. Compare yourselves to the taxi-drivers who protested, and hang your heads in shame. They made the front page of The Age; you were consigned to page two or three of mX.

You have achieved nothing.