Skipping paying your bus fare in Auckland could cost you up to five hundred dollars

As of today, Auckland Transport officers will be able to fine people 150-dollars who fail to buy a ticket or tag on with their AT Hop card.

But if you choose to go to court rather than paying up, that fine may cost you up to 500 dollars.

Transport Compliance Manager Logan Christian says it's not about revenue gathering, but about making it fair for everyone who uses public transport.

Auckland Transport says fare evasion costs two to three million dollars a year.