Public transportation in Berlin is based on the honor system. One is welcome to take his chances Schwarzfahring - riding without a valid ticket - but if you’re caught, it’s expensive: at least 40 Euros. I will admit that I’ve done it, but since I found out that my BahnCard gets me a discount on the subways, trams and streetcars in Berlin, I’ve come clean, and buy a ticket every time.
Today, as I was riding down to Kreuzberg to help a friend move (my whole reason for coming up this time), I was controlled. Confident and cool, I pulled out my discount ticket and my valid-for-five-more-days BahnCard to show the BVG employee.
Turns out it doesn’t get me the discount. Ouch.
Posted by jcporto at October 27, 2006 6:59 AM | TrackBackfirst time i rode on the u-bahn, i was unclear on the concept and stamped my day ticket every time i got on the train, which caused me to get yelled at (in german, which i did not understand) when i got spot-checked. i was let go without citation; i suppose it helped that the day of purchase was stamped on it too… pretty clear i was just a stupid tourist and not trying to defraud the system.
—-rob
Posted by: rs at October 27, 2006 11:59 AM