Metro drivers have been threatened with civil action if they accept non-fare-paying passengers.
Metro Tasmania may use CCTV footage to crack down on drivers who don't kick passengers off for refusing to pay tomorrow, as an ugly pay dispute escalates.
The state-owned public transport company may also pursue passengers who evade fares as part of a union campaign to secure a 3 per cent pay rise for drivers.
Metro yesterday threatened the Rail, Tram and Bus Union with civil action unless it denounced by 4pm yesterday the ``No fares Thursday'' campaign initiated by Unions Tasmania.
The company also wants the ``No fares Thursday'' Facebook site, which has attracted 236 ``likes'', shut down.
RTBU Tasmanian secretary Samantha Simonetis responded by distancing the RTBU from Unions Tasmania boss Kevin Harkins.
However, she refused to issue a press release telling the public not to participate in ``No fares Thursday'' as Metro had demanded.
Mr Harkins yesterday did not back away from the campaign and questioned how Metro would enforce its threat to penalise drivers for the actions of passengers.
``What do they want the bus drivers to do? Wrestle them for $2?'' Mr Harkins asked.
Bus drivers have been warned that they will have their pay docked for at least four hours and may face other disciplinary action if they fail or refuse to collect fares, as it would amount to unprotected action.
There are no bus inspectors to check that passengers have paid, but Metro will analyse takings for the day to see whether the campaign has had a noticeable effect.
If there is a significant difference, the state-owned company can break down the figures by individual routes and analyse CCTV footage from the bus to make a case to prosecute drivers. If a passenger is unable to pay, drivers are meant to ask for their details and issue them a bill to be paid at a later date.
Metro is offering a 2.1 per cent increase and says its financial position does not allow for the offer to be increased.
