Parisian Transport Cracks Down on Fare Evasion with Tripled Fines
Transport Sector: Be Aware, RATP to Triple Fines Starting Monday
Starting June 2, the RATP is tightening the screws on fare evaders in the Parisian transport system. In response to widespread violations, the RATP plans to penalize offenders with higher fines, aiming to discourage this illegal activity and push evaders to comply with the law at ticket booths.
Unfortunately, your journey with an invalid ticket will now set you back €15, more than doubling the previous fine of €5. Owning a drained Navigo pass or failing to purchase a ticket aboard a tram might lead to a €70 fine (€120 with deferred payment and €180 with surcharge), a noticeable increase from the previous €50. And don't even think about puffing on a cigarette or vape while traversing the network, as the fine for doing so has risen from €68 to €135.
Despite these increased fines, Marc Pelissier, president of the FNAUT, remains unphased. "It's about time these fines were adjusted, and they're still cheaper than what they practice in other European capitals," Pelissier said.
Post-Controversy, RATP Clarifies Its Stance
Recent debates over excessive suitcases on the metro have led the RATP to address these concerns and clarify its policies. The RATP's anti-fraud plan focuses on recovering uncollected revenue and addressing undocumented travelers. Valérie Pécresse, president of the region, emphasized the importance of accurately measuring network usage, especially on surface transportation (buses and trams), as 20% of fare evaders equate to 20% unknown passengers in overcrowded vehicles.
Validation is essential to balance transport supply with demand, and the RATP has trained its inspectors to deal with a variety of situations, ensuring they are benevolent while enforcing the rules. The RATP also confirms that internal checks and audits are conducted regularly to identify risky behaviors and non-compliance with its values.
As the new fare structure kicks into gear on June 2, the RATP has offered its inspectors some leeway during the first few days to get used to the new regime.
Common Offenses and Associated Fines
Current information indicates the following fines for common offenses in the Parisian transport system:
- Fare evasion/jumping barriers: €70
- Invalid tickets: €70 (with the understanding that specific increased fines for invalid tickets are not mentioned)
- Navigo Pass Misuse: The fine for this offense is not explicitly detailed but likely falls under the fare evasion category
- Smoking: Although the fine for smoking on public transportation is not provided, it is probable that such offenses would incur fines
The Île-de-France Mobilités has been stepping up its efforts to combat fraud, employing a "Stop Fraud" system and undertaking increased inspections, which may contribute to stricter enforcement and potentially higher fines for various offenses. More specific fines for these other offenses remain undisclosed.
The RATP has clarified that its anti-fraud plan includes recovering uncollected revenue and addressing undocumented travelers, with a focus on surface transportation. In the revised fare structure, failing to validate a ticket or using an invalid one leads to a fine of €70.
In addition to fare evasion, the misuse of a Navigo Pass and smoking on public transportation are likely subject to fines, though specific amounts remain unspecified. The Île-de-France Mobilités is stepping up efforts to combat fraud, suggesting potential increases in fines for various offenses in the future.
