Fraud on public transport in Paris is about to get more expensive. Until now, offenders caught without a ticket on the RATP metro, streetcar or bus were liable to a fine of 50 euros if paid immediately, and 100 euros if paid later. But this amount, deemed insufficiently dissuasive by the network, will be increased in the near future.
Jean Castex, Chairman of the RATP group, revealed this Friday morning that the current fine rate will be increased by 20 euros, regardless of the method of payment. This means that the fine will rise to 70 euros if paid immediately, and to 120 euros if paid later. The announcement was made during a one-stop enforcement operation at Porte de Vincennes, at the terminus of the T3b tramway line.
This decision is part of a plan to step up the fight against fraud, demanded by Île-de-France Mobilités (IDFM), the authority in charge of transport in the region. Last February, IDFM declared "war on fare evaders", pointing out that current penalties were not commensurate with the damage caused. By way of comparison, 50 euros represents the cost of 20 journeys on the metro, or 25 on a streetcar or bus, making the penalty little deterrent for regular fare evaders. RATP also points out that current penalties are below international levels, claiming an average of 116 dollars in foreign countries.
According to figures provided by RATP, around 60% of those fined choose to pay their fine on the spot. By increasing the amounts, the aim is clear: to reduce the fraud rate, estimated to cost the network several hundred million euros in losses every year. Jean Castex expressed his wish to see this measure implemented before the summer.
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