GeofCoxMar 13

Almost 50 cities in France have already done away with paid tickets... "Nearly three million people in France can now use urban public transport without paying a fare. That number is likely to grow after the municipal elections... given the proliferation of proposals to make urban transport at least partially free."

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/article/2026/03/12/french-cities-steady-march-toward-free-public-transport_6751388_19.html

French cities' steady march toward free public transport

Ahead of the municipal elections, candidates across the country have promised fare-free transport. Almost 50 cities have already done away with paid tickets, compared to just six before the 2000s.

Le Monde
Show threadBilal Barakat 🍉Mar 13

@GeofCox

Meanwhile, apparently* 9000 (!) people in Germany get jailed (!) every year for repeatedly riding without a ticket. Which common sense will tell you are mostly marginalised people who cannot afford one and are forced to take the risk.

*This number was mentioned by an NGO that pays their fines to free them. I have not fact-checked it myself.

EDIT: adding source

https://mas.to/@freiheitsfonds/116130749224316270

Freiheitsfonds (@[email protected])

Attached: 1 video Deutschlandweit gehen jedes Jahr 9000 Menschen ins Gefängnis wegen fehlender Tickets für Bus & Bahn. Die meisten Anträge, die uns erreichen, sind von JVA-Beamtinnen selbst. Das heißt, die wenden sich an uns & sagen: „Bitte kauft die Leute frei, die gehören hier nicht hin.“ Wann wird das verantwortliche Gesetz endlich abgeschafft?

mas.to
Show threadAshwin Dixit

@bifouba @GeofCox

When a crime is punishable by a fine, that means it applies only to the poor ( "FINE?!?!?!" 😭 ), not to the rich ( "Fine." 😏 💵 )

Mar 13 at 11:37amWeb