700 million euros is the estimated amount of public transport fraud in France each year. The SNCF and the RATP, among others, now benefit from a system to ensure that fines reach the cheaters’ homes. This system, called Stop Fraude, has been validated by the CNIL and comes into force this Wednesday, January 8. Let’s take stock.
How does it work?
Under a decree published on December 3, SNCF, RATP, but also Tisséo (Toulouse public transport network), RTM (the Marseille network), Keolis, and Transdev will benefit from this tool. Concretely, a check can be made at the end of the day on the address given by the fraudsters at the time the fine was notified by the controller, specifies MoneyVox.
The system itself is developed and controlled by the National Printing Office. The latter has access to the files of the General Directorate of Public Finances (DGFiP) and can thus bring out the correct tax address of the offender. It is still necessary that he has revealed his true identity, which is not guaranteed.
Soon access at the time of control?
Quoted in a press release, the Union of Public and Rail Transport (UTPF), the professional union in the sector, welcomes the launch of this system. And for good reason, according to him: “Fraud is a scourge which greatly reduces the capacities of communities and public transport operators in terms of equipment renewal, transport provision, and travel comfort”.
The organization adds: “Fraud, perceived as an injustice by other users, represents a loss of income estimated at around 700 million euros per year throughout the country. This system will make the addresses of offenders more reliable to optimize the recovery of fines”.
Note that some would like to go even further. For the moment, controllers will not be able to verify the address of the fraudster during the check, but this possibility is well considered in the proposal of former senator LR Philippe Tabarot. However, he recently left his post to take a central role on this issue. He is in fact the new Minister of Transport in the government led by François Bayrou.
What to remember:
- From this Wednesday, SNCF, RATP and other major public transport networks will benefit from an anti-fraud tool
- They will be able to check the tax addresses of offenders the same evening
- Some would like to go even further and be able to control it at the moment
