Rheinbahn not to prosecute fare dodgers

In response to a German law allowing fare dodgers to be sent to prison, the city council in Dusseldorf has now ordered the local transport authority, Rheinbahn, not to prosecute those caught without a ticket. 

 

The laws allowing the incarcaration of those who fail to buy a ticket dates back to the time of Nazi Germany and many, including Dusseldorf, are calling for a change. 

 

Arne Semsrott Founder of Freiheitsfonds (The Freedom Fund) said: 

[The law] discriminates against people who don't have money, people who don't have housing, people who are already in crisis'. His fund pays the fines of those in prison, allowing their release. 

 

Public transport in Germany has resisted any change in the law. 

A spokesperson from the VDV which represents more than 600 rail and bus companies said: people not paying a fare costs the industry an estimated €300m a year.