Could lower public transport fees stop commuters from catching a free ride?

With the third most expensive public transport system in the world, a growing number of Australians are taking a chance when it comes to paying to travel.

In Victoria, almost 4 per cent of commuters don't pay their way, costing the rest of us $28 million a year.

NSW is Australia's fare evasion capital, with an estimated 8 per cent of travellers robbing $127 million from government coffers annually.

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In Queensland, up to $37 million is lost to fare evasion every year. 

Three per cent break the rules in Canberra, while less than 1 per cent fare evade in South Australia and Western Australia . 

In the Northern Territory, public transport's free.

Griffith University transport planning expert Adjunct Professor Matthew Burke said fare evasion is quickly becoming the status quo.

"There's a large sector of people who psychologically think it's OK and a victimless crime," Burke said.

In Queensland, public transport fares are capped at 50 cents.

Burke says the state is reaping the benefits of the cheap transport plan.

"We've seen a sharp increase in the number of trips made on public transport," he said.

"You can go all the way from Brisbane to the Gold Coast for 50 cents, I've done it myself.

"There's no doubt a bit of stimulus to the local economy."

So it begs the question - could lower fares be rolled out in other states too?

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