There are more “Gapowiczs” in Poland. Their age may surprise

According to the latest BIG InfoMonitor data, as many as 138,965 people who have not settled the ticket for driving without a ticket within the prescribed period. Their arrears amount to a total of PLN 211.2 million, while even five years ago it was just over PLN 171 million, and the number of debtors was lower by over 6,000.

There are more of indebted “Gapowiczs”. Why don’t they pay?

– The observed increase in the number of debtors for travel without a ticket and the value of their arrears is the result of several overlapping phenomena. First of all, in conditions of growing living costs, some people select obligations, giving priority to those who have not paid immediate consequences. As a result of payments for public transport, they remain unregulated more often – comments dr hab. Waldemar Rogowski, main analyst at BIG InfoMonitor.

– In addition, despite the passage of years, the impact of the pandemic that has contributed to the loosening of payment discipline and reduction of social sensitivity to the obligation to pay “minor” obligations. At the same time, it is worth noting that the increase in the number of entries may also result from the greater determination of creditors – including urban carriers – who are increasingly reaching for tools such as the BIG InfoMonitor registry to mobilize debtors for repayment – he adds.

The worst in Mazovia. The problem does not apply to young people at all

Among the voivodships that have the biggest problem with “Gapowiczs” are Łódź, Masovian and Pomeranian. In the first of these, the number of such people is almost 41 thousand. people, and their total arrears are over PLN 65.8 million. There are almost 33 thousand debtors in Mazovia. people with total debt exceeding PLN 46.7 million. In turn, in Pomerania, the number of “Gapowiczs” is nearly 11.5 thousand, who have a total of over PLN 16 million to give away. The highest arrears per person – in the amount of PLN 1701 – was recorded in Podlasie.

It would seem that the indebted “Gapowicze” are most often youth. However, Big InfoMonitor shows that debts mainly affect people aged 35-44 (42,346 people). It turns out, therefore, that the biggest losses for urban and intercity transport are generated by people of working age – professionally active, often traveling, have constant income, and yet deciding to avoid the travel fees due. It can be assumed that some of them treat a ticket as a cost lower than regular purchase of tickets, underestimating the long -term effects of entry in the register of debtors.

When analyzing the age of “Gapowiczs”, it should also be remembered that in some regions there are free communication programs for students and seniors, which affects their lower presence in the registers of debtors.

What consequences?

Any unpaid mandate for driving without a ticket, which will go to debt collection and will not be regulated on time, may result in an entry in the Big Infomonitor register.

– The entry may significantly hinder daily functioning – from taking a loan or a loan to the conclusion of a regular subscription agreement. Banks, loan companies, mobile operators or leasing companies verify data in the register and a negative history may be the basis for refusal to cooperate. The problem may arise even when buying a phone in installments or renting an apartment, because the entry reduces our financial credibility and suggests a lack of payment liability. Therefore, driving without a ticket can cost much more than just the amount of the mandate in the absence of a time of time – it can become a barrier in the implementation of daily needs and life plans – reminds Waldemar Rogowski.

The fine for driving without a valid ticket becomes an arrears in the register when it is sent to debt collection by the creditor and the fee will not be settled within the required time.