Ticket inspectors who collect fines from fare evaders on Melbourne trains will never carry guns, the public transport minister says.
The Herald Sun reports ticket inspectors have asked for guns if they are to collect new on-the-spot fines of $75 in cash.
Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder says that won't happen.
"Certainly can I assure you, authorised officers will not be carrying guns," Mr Mulder told Fairfax Radio.
Rail, Tram and Bus Union secretary Luba Grigorovitch said ticket inspectors did not want to become targets for thieves, but guns were not the issue.
"We're completely opposed to cash collection," she told AAP.
"We believe it's a risk to our members' health and safety."
Ms Grigorovitch said the union supported the new fines and the use of hand-held EFTPOS devices, but not the collection of cash.
Mr Mulder said the vast majority of people would pay with credit cards.
"Authorised officers travel in groups, the whole amount of cash (they're) carrying would have to be totally and completely audited, and they hand it over to a premium station or wherever they're heading," he said.
A Public Transport Victoria spokeswoman said consultations with unions were ongoing and there was no start date for the new fines, which will replace the $212 infringement notices.
