Translink has handed out almost 4,500 fines for fare dodging in the past four years on its Glider and railway services.
A total of 3,893 penalties of around £50 have been issued for riding without a ticket on the Glider since Belfast's rapid bus link began operating in September 2018.
Fare evasion on train services led to 606 fines being handed out since 2018, according to figures obtained by Belfast Live.
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Fifteen people have been convicted in court over the period for fare dodging, with 12 related to the Glider and three for rail services.
Translink issued six rewards in 2018 to people who reported fare evasion which led to successful prosecutions. The rewards in total amounted to £650.
The figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, emerge amid concerns over anti-social behaviour on public transport and assaults against staff.
A video emerged last week showing the aftermath of an attack on a train conductor which left him bleeding from injuries to his face.
Alliance MLA Andrew Muir said sufficient resources should be deployed for ticket-checking, "ever mindful however of the appalling assaults and threats Translink staff have been subjected to".
He said: "It is not fair that other passengers be left to pick up the tab for those who dodge buying a ticket risking an up to £1,000 fine and court appearance.
"I am very conscious of the fact that fares revenue is increasingly essential for bus and rail services to operate in a period of tight public finances and whilst the numbers fined may attract headlines this is only those caught with others inevitably evading fares where they can.
"With passenger numbers on the rise after Covid-19 lockdowns, it's important Translink take a necessary and proportionate response to ensure sufficient resources are deployed to undertake ticket checking, ever mindful however of the appalling assaults and threats Translink staff have been subjected to.
"We must all stand in support of Translink staff as they seek to deliver essential bus and rail services."
A Translink spokeswoman said: "Each passenger requires a valid ticket for their journey. We have a range of different ticket types to suit our customer requirements.
"Since 2018, we have carried approximately 275 million passenger journeys and in this context, the level of fare evasion is very low.
"Translink take proactive steps to deter this behaviour and actively prosecute offenders where appropriate. Ticket inspections are carried out regularly on-board Glider vehicles and trains, at stations, and halts.
"Customer Revenue Protection Officers regularly carry out spot checks across the Glider network, at different times and locations throughout the day and train conductors sell and check on-board. There are also revenue inspectors that spot check the trains too.
"Our teams of CRPOs operate seven days a week, having a conductor on every train alongside the activities of our revenue inspectors reduces the opportunity for fare evasion.
"Fare evasion, which remains at a low level, is a criminal offence and could lead to a court appearance and a fine of up to £1,000."
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