Revenue Protection Inspector
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Revenue Protection Inspectors (RPIs) or Revenue Protection Officers (RPOs) patrol different forms of public transport, particularly trains, in the United Kingdom issuing penalty fares to passengers who travel without a valid ticket. Penalty fares can also be issued if a passenger is travelling in first class accommodation holding a standard class ticket, an adult travelling on a child ticket or if the passenger has travelled beyond the destination printed on their ticket.
The penalty fare on UK rail services is a minimum of £20 or double the single fare to the next station stop, whichever is the greater. If the journey is to be continued, the fare for the remaining portion is also taken into account.
Currently Southern, South West Trains, South Eastern Trains, First Capital Connect and First Great Western Link are some of the Train Operating Companies that participate in the penalty fares scheme.
Transport for London currently recruits over 200 Revenue Protection Inspectors that work on the Bus network alone. Due to the introduction of 'Articulated Buses' to London, TfL is now recruiting an extra 150 inspectors to combat the increased fare evasion.
To become a Revenue Protection Inspector you must apply directly to Transport for London and undergo a detailed 6 month recruitment process. This includes both theory, practical and technical assessments. Transport for London (Bus) Revenue Protection Inspector training lasts 5 weeks and includes both Police and Court training. Starting salaries begin at £24,600 for the first year of employment, rising to £27,800 after a one year probationary period. During your first year of employment you must undergo 3, 6 and 9 month assessments.
Revenue Protection Officers also patrol Yarra Trams and Connex train services in Victoria (Australia). They were introduced after Conductors were taken away from the tram ways in a bid to curb fare evasion. 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 RPOs negatively and there are reports in the media regarding the issue of excessive force, though the number of reports is relatively low in relation to the estimated 1500 people reported each week on their services.
