Ticket inspectors are seen as a scary, intimidating and nasty means to collect revenue, according to a report that has remained secret for years.

The research, commissioned by MetLink and done for the former Labor state government, shows many believe ticket inspectors are there to raise money for the benefit of train and tram operators.

"Essentially authorised officers [ticket inspectors] are not seen as being there for people using the trams or trains," the research, done for transport marketing agency Metlink by Sweeney Research three years ago, says.

"It is clear the authorised officers are perceived poorly within the community, the role is not respected and perceptions are entrenched through negative personal experience as well as media coverage."

The research, released under Freedom of Information to Greens MP Greg Barber by the Department of Transport, comes after Transport Minister Terry Mulder yesterday released new figures showing fare evasion on Melbourne's trams was much worse than had been previously acknowledged.