Senators have agreed to allow stiffer penalties for anti-social behaviour on buses, but also raised concerns about the lack of information available.Junior National Security Minister Jonathan Smith told the Senate the new law would prove to people who misbehave that “their actions will not be tolerated on public transportation”.The Public Transportation Amendment Act 2011 was unanimously passed by Senators to increase the fines for a number of offences.Senator Smith said they were trying to deter offenders by making the penalties “more severe”.The new fines are $300 for those caught smoking, for those who do not pay the correct fare, alter the date on their bus pass or fail to hand in lost property that they find.The same fine covers those who get on a bus so drunk or scantily-clad that they are in “an unfit or improper condition to travel”Those who avoid paying their fare at all, behave offensively or damage a bus will have to pay out $500. Meanwhile being caught with an offensive weapon or dangerous article such as an explosive carries a $1,000 penalty.Attempting to steal a bus carries a $2,000 penalty, while those who refuse to give up a seat reserved for a disabled or “special person” will have to pay $150.Shadow National Security Minister Michael Dunkley said he supported the legislation to “help deal with anti-social behaviour that is becoming part of our lifestyle”. But he questioned whether some offences were open to interpretation.Senator Dunkley said: “What’s something that causes an annoyance? Using a cellphone can be considered an annoyance to some, but who makes that decision?“As for improper dress, what’s deemed to be improper dress. If you come from the beach and get straight on a bus, is that improper dress?”The new law states it will come into force with new regulations to be published in the Official Gazette, but Senator Dunkley questioned: “Why don’t we have a copy of these regulations?”He added: “I and my colleagues don’t want to be part of any shoddy business”.Independent Senator Joan Dillas-Wright said she travels by bus on a fairly regular basis and she was also “looking for more information”.She said: “Young people travel on the bus and sometimes act out. It’s very difficult for the drivers to manage them. They have to sometimes stop the bus and ask them to get out.“I support the Bill but I’d question our access to these other regulations and how effectively things are going to be monitored”.Independent Senator Walwyn Hughes said he was “a little nervous about the process” as the legislation seemed to be “back-to-front”. He questioned why a debate was taking place without the regulations.Replying to their concerns, Government Senate leader Kim Wilson said they were dealing with amendments to regulations, which had been debated in their draft form.She said: “The Bill has to be passed first then we can amend the regulations.”