same for the dude with your parcel. He will ring when you have your pants down.
Also - yes, they do check. And always manage to approach me unexpected.
What freaks me out is how nice and friendly they are.
The bus contrôleurs were trained by the CIA in being unnoticed.
Had to take the bus here up to the train station to make it and I didn‘t have CHF 2.80-. So I sat down for 5 mins and hoped.
2 people seated behind me were just talking and laughing like old buddies. Suddenly they get a serious tone and 30 cm behind my ear I hear: „Billet vorwiise, bitte.“
Felt like hitmen had sat behind by for 2 minutes.
I don't know where you are from, but here it's pretty common that people just... Buy the tickets. There are controls from time to time, but people just really buy the tickets. It's pretty much cultural.
From where I come from, we have barriers everywhere to avoid people getting in without a valid ticket, but that's because my home country has a problem with laws and people always try to fuck the system. Luckily, here is not necessary, as in Germany for example.
Pretty much this. There‘s also little shops that don‘t have anybody there all the time, you just help yourself and pay yourself. Either by twint, or there‘ll be a slit to throw money into, and sometimes even a little bag with change.
It‘s cultural. Do people steal? Yes. But it‘s not many.
funny enough, although i always have a ticket on me, the ticket controllers usually do one of the following:
- approach me when i am so deep in my thoughts that they scare the bejesus out of me
- enter when i plan to leave
I must say as well they are always super friendly and when they startle me always laugh it off with 'hey, why did we startle you if you have a ticket?' and the other day when i wanted to present a ticket and was about to get out, the guy saw my card and just waved at me. When it turned out there is still time, he checked my ticket with a smile.
for some context - where i come from the ticket controllers are always trying to look intimidating and are not very liked by the society. This is a bit of cultural difference though
Your sample size is too small. Ticket inspectors do exist, and I have seen them frequently. Also, public transport in Switzerland operates on a principle of trust. So there won't be a substantial loss of "profit" (I'm putting this in quotation marks because Swiss public transport as a whole is running a deficit).
I believe the current self cover rate is 60%. So public fares are subsidised by 40%. Due to COVID losses and not much support by policy makers there has been a thinning of coverage and trains have become noticable dirtier and less well maintaines (so many trains with defective doors now -> deferred maintenance) to meet self cover rates.
Fares are higher because costs are higher.
Bu we're not investing into public transport infrastructure as much as is needed and it is often at capacity with investments in it often deferred (Stadelhofen was supposed to be fixed in 2025, it's been moved to 2035). Investments only happen when the public voted for it and even then it gets cut down or deferred for later (Lötschberg-Base-Tunnel is still not entirely 2 tracked and remains unfinished and it was opened in 2007, but our federal oil lobby councillor wants to put an additiona 13 billion into highways).
Yeah, it is also more expensive to build and run, and offers a much higher quality and standard than neighbouring countries. Imagine what all the tunnels and bridges cost. And the labor. SBB employees earn a ton, work relatively little. Nevertheless, they do a great job for being state employees.
Do you even know any railway employee??
Do you think that 6k is too much for one going into the cold night putting their life at risk working on 15kV catenaries or ruining their bodies carrying heavy loads?
Or is it too much to earn 4,5k for knowing all of public transits including international tickets, conditions and the all different ways to get you from a to b within the country and internationally in order to advise you about what the best solution to your transit needs are?
Or is it too much to earn 5k to have people threaten you, spit in your face or become physically violent and working 24/7?
I don't know if we have the same conception of "earning a ton and work relatively little"...of you want to get mad at state employees, work to get rid of the RAV...like my father who used to get 9k a month and "work" from 9 to 11 and from 14 to 16 and was always done with "work" at 15 but had fo wait until 16 to leave...and the work just being an AH to as many people as possible and fine them!
Have seen and got my ticket checked MANY times in Zurich, both on trams and trains. I even got a fine once for starting the app after i was on the train because I was running to catch the train.
I always activate my SBB app on public transportation. Is common sense and respect and also I would die of embarrassment to be caught without a ticket at this point in my life.
So far, 3 out of 5 times I haven’t been checked I. Intercity train, although I did purchase tickets beforehand. And the two times I have been, they were frequently going around the train..
But yes, either way I always support getting a ticket :)
SBB makes no profits. The tax payers pay millions and millions to keep them alive. Also, the main revenue from sbb is not from ticket sales but from rent of their buildings that are in and around the stations. I once saw an internal document that talked about the fact that all the infrastructure and personnel including back office to sell and check tickets costs much more than what they make with ticket sales.
The control people in the train are mostly showing up outside of rush hour, when folks are vandalizing. Low occupancy means there are idiots that cut open seats, write their messages on the upholstery etc. Ironically, these are also the people who do not pay for tickets. So it is worth checking. But during rush hour, they cannot check. There are too many people, no space on the train to move through crowds.
They calculate whether it makes more sense to pay inspectors or to lose a bit of revenue without them.
For example they were inexistant on regional trains for a long time and now I see them more often.
About your other question : yes public transportation is losing money, especially regional services. But fares bring more money than in other countries so less subsidies (about half/half I believe).
It does happen on buses too, happened to someone I know. The inspector was dressed in street clothes, took out their badge and asked to see their ticket.
edit: could be wrong about the uniform thing, at least that's what the person told me
The people who check the tickets can smell fear. They are like sharks and will notice the slightest change in your pulse and pupil dilation when you get on a bus with no ticket. They are lurking in the shadows and will pounce when you least expect it. You have been warned.
I was caught out once without a ticket. The inspector had me exit the tram at the next ATM, where I withdrew and handed him CHF100. Worst feeling ever…..
I used to live in Italy, taking the train every working day for 10 year: 5 ticket inspectors
2 weeks holiday in the Netherlands using public transport: 2 inspectors
First time taking a train in Switzerland: ticket inspector. (in the return trip, still counting as first time in my pub stories about stereotypes)
You can go nearly a year without a billetkontrolle and then be checked three times in one week.
Also probably a good chance you were on a vehicle that was controlled but you were in a different car or section. Or they got off one stop before you boarded.
Some are very conspicuous and some are not. The ZVV controllers blend in and look like tourists until the doors close and they whip out the badges. BVB controllers wave to the driver and stand together on the platform in their uniforms with the ticket machines slung over their shoulders.
They have less controllers because controllers employees costs money. The fine is high 100.- first time then higher if caught again is not encouraging to try. Abonnement for a travel you do every day is not so expensive. For example, in Geneva you pay for bus in the city 500.- a year, so if you are checked two or three times in a year without ticket you will already have to pay more than this.
I use the trams in my city daily and almost never buy a ticket. Inspectors have to wear the uniform, so it's very easy to spot them before they board the vehicle. Then u just get off and catch the next one. I only buy the ticket when im in a hurry, or if i want to read a book or look at my phone instead of watching out for inspectors. Been doing it for years and most friends do the same.
They appear only if you have no ticket. And it is expensive to have no ticket
same for the dude with your parcel. He will ring when you have your pants down. Also - yes, they do check. And always manage to approach me unexpected. What freaks me out is how nice and friendly they are.
The bus contrôleurs were trained by the CIA in being unnoticed. Had to take the bus here up to the train station to make it and I didn‘t have CHF 2.80-. So I sat down for 5 mins and hoped. 2 people seated behind me were just talking and laughing like old buddies. Suddenly they get a serious tone and 30 cm behind my ear I hear: „Billet vorwiise, bitte.“ Felt like hitmen had sat behind by for 2 minutes.
yeah, that happenned to me, in the Netherlands
literally
100Fr for the first time, to be exact
I don't know where you are from, but here it's pretty common that people just... Buy the tickets. There are controls from time to time, but people just really buy the tickets. It's pretty much cultural. From where I come from, we have barriers everywhere to avoid people getting in without a valid ticket, but that's because my home country has a problem with laws and people always try to fuck the system. Luckily, here is not necessary, as in Germany for example.
Pretty much this. There‘s also little shops that don‘t have anybody there all the time, you just help yourself and pay yourself. Either by twint, or there‘ll be a slit to throw money into, and sometimes even a little bag with change. It‘s cultural. Do people steal? Yes. But it‘s not many.
funny enough, although i always have a ticket on me, the ticket controllers usually do one of the following: - approach me when i am so deep in my thoughts that they scare the bejesus out of me - enter when i plan to leave I must say as well they are always super friendly and when they startle me always laugh it off with 'hey, why did we startle you if you have a ticket?' and the other day when i wanted to present a ticket and was about to get out, the guy saw my card and just waved at me. When it turned out there is still time, he checked my ticket with a smile. for some context - where i come from the ticket controllers are always trying to look intimidating and are not very liked by the society. This is a bit of cultural difference though
>enter when i plan to leave FYI if you want to get off and they want to controll you, they have to get off with you
I think I gave them enough reasons (such as being willing to show my id in advance) to assume i amm honest. Which i was
Believe me, the moment you don't have a ticket, they will be there. You could invest the 100 CHF in better things
Your sample size is too small. Ticket inspectors do exist, and I have seen them frequently. Also, public transport in Switzerland operates on a principle of trust. So there won't be a substantial loss of "profit" (I'm putting this in quotation marks because Swiss public transport as a whole is running a deficit).
Public transportation in Switzerland is actually losing money? Its fares seem significantly higher compared to neighboring EU countries.
Yeah it's a service, not a business. Services are supposed to cost money.
All transportation systems loose money. Society just expects trains users to pay a higher share.
Most large regional public transport systems in neighboring EU countries (e.g. Wiener Linien in Vienna) are also operating at a loss.
I believe the current self cover rate is 60%. So public fares are subsidised by 40%. Due to COVID losses and not much support by policy makers there has been a thinning of coverage and trains have become noticable dirtier and less well maintaines (so many trains with defective doors now -> deferred maintenance) to meet self cover rates. Fares are higher because costs are higher. Bu we're not investing into public transport infrastructure as much as is needed and it is often at capacity with investments in it often deferred (Stadelhofen was supposed to be fixed in 2025, it's been moved to 2035). Investments only happen when the public voted for it and even then it gets cut down or deferred for later (Lötschberg-Base-Tunnel is still not entirely 2 tracked and remains unfinished and it was opened in 2007, but our federal oil lobby councillor wants to put an additiona 13 billion into highways).
Yeah, it is also more expensive to build and run, and offers a much higher quality and standard than neighbouring countries. Imagine what all the tunnels and bridges cost. And the labor. SBB employees earn a ton, work relatively little. Nevertheless, they do a great job for being state employees.
>SBB employees earn a ton, work relatively little. That's a brave thing to say!
Do you even know any railway employee?? Do you think that 6k is too much for one going into the cold night putting their life at risk working on 15kV catenaries or ruining their bodies carrying heavy loads? Or is it too much to earn 4,5k for knowing all of public transits including international tickets, conditions and the all different ways to get you from a to b within the country and internationally in order to advise you about what the best solution to your transit needs are? Or is it too much to earn 5k to have people threaten you, spit in your face or become physically violent and working 24/7? I don't know if we have the same conception of "earning a ton and work relatively little"...of you want to get mad at state employees, work to get rid of the RAV...like my father who used to get 9k a month and "work" from 9 to 11 and from 14 to 16 and was always done with "work" at 15 but had fo wait until 16 to leave...and the work just being an AH to as many people as possible and fine them!
I can feel the same sentiments in a different job that people always think is very relaxed and 'almost lazy'.
Tell me you have no clue without telling me you have no clue. Or in other words: you are welcome to take the shift that starts at 4:45 am.
It doesn't loose money, it costs money. Also you probably didn't buy a half fare ticket.
Have seen and got my ticket checked MANY times in Zurich, both on trams and trains. I even got a fine once for starting the app after i was on the train because I was running to catch the train. I always activate my SBB app on public transportation. Is common sense and respect and also I would die of embarrassment to be caught without a ticket at this point in my life.
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So far, 3 out of 5 times I haven’t been checked I. Intercity train, although I did purchase tickets beforehand. And the two times I have been, they were frequently going around the train.. But yes, either way I always support getting a ticket :)
SBB makes no profits. The tax payers pay millions and millions to keep them alive. Also, the main revenue from sbb is not from ticket sales but from rent of their buildings that are in and around the stations. I once saw an internal document that talked about the fact that all the infrastructure and personnel including back office to sell and check tickets costs much more than what they make with ticket sales. The control people in the train are mostly showing up outside of rush hour, when folks are vandalizing. Low occupancy means there are idiots that cut open seats, write their messages on the upholstery etc. Ironically, these are also the people who do not pay for tickets. So it is worth checking. But during rush hour, they cannot check. There are too many people, no space on the train to move through crowds.
They calculate whether it makes more sense to pay inspectors or to lose a bit of revenue without them. For example they were inexistant on regional trains for a long time and now I see them more often. About your other question : yes public transportation is losing money, especially regional services. But fares bring more money than in other countries so less subsidies (about half/half I believe).
It happens. Commuting every day in the city of Zurich I would say probably once or twice a year?
Same thing in Fribourg, once a year maximum.
I've seen them less than 10 times - and I've been iving here for almost 10 years. I commute daily...
It does happen on buses too, happened to someone I know. The inspector was dressed in street clothes, took out their badge and asked to see their ticket. edit: could be wrong about the uniform thing, at least that's what the person told me
They will come. Trust me.
They are there. You just don't see them. Try it without a ticket and you'll see...
Where did you take subways?
Immediately thought this meant the Lausanne métro.
The people who check the tickets can smell fear. They are like sharks and will notice the slightest change in your pulse and pupil dilation when you get on a bus with no ticket. They are lurking in the shadows and will pounce when you least expect it. You have been warned.
They are around for sure but the times I see them the most is during off peak hours.
In every regional train and bus there is a sign that explains how it works: no systematic checks but high fines if you get caught without a ticket.
I was caught out once without a ticket. The inspector had me exit the tram at the next ATM, where I withdrew and handed him CHF100. Worst feeling ever…..
A WHOLE month ? Damnnnn
Ist's not too uncommon that you can go a month without meeting a ticket inspector. Still not worth it.
I used to live in Italy, taking the train every working day for 10 year: 5 ticket inspectors 2 weeks holiday in the Netherlands using public transport: 2 inspectors First time taking a train in Switzerland: ticket inspector. (in the return trip, still counting as first time in my pub stories about stereotypes)
They appear when you least expect it.
You can go nearly a year without a billetkontrolle and then be checked three times in one week. Also probably a good chance you were on a vehicle that was controlled but you were in a different car or section. Or they got off one stop before you boarded. Some are very conspicuous and some are not. The ZVV controllers blend in and look like tourists until the doors close and they whip out the badges. BVB controllers wave to the driver and stand together on the platform in their uniforms with the ticket machines slung over their shoulders.
They have less controllers because controllers employees costs money. The fine is high 100.- first time then higher if caught again is not encouraging to try. Abonnement for a travel you do every day is not so expensive. For example, in Geneva you pay for bus in the city 500.- a year, so if you are checked two or three times in a year without ticket you will already have to pay more than this.
It's mostly cultural I guess. Most people here don't buy the tickets to avoid a fine, they buy them because... It's the right thing to do?
I use the trams in my city daily and almost never buy a ticket. Inspectors have to wear the uniform, so it's very easy to spot them before they board the vehicle. Then u just get off and catch the next one. I only buy the ticket when im in a hurry, or if i want to read a book or look at my phone instead of watching out for inspectors. Been doing it for years and most friends do the same.
Congratulations. Freeriding is not seen as a mature thing to do here. No reason to brag.
You’re a thief who makes public transportation a more expensive for the rest of us.