Weaving through the streets of Strasbourg is a set of very cool and modern look trams (like mini subways and streetcars combined). They are comfortable and efficient and the routes and types are very easy to understand. What is interesting about them is how you are expected to pay.
Through observation alone I’ve discovered that you are supposed to load a card using these difficult to find machines with credits to use the tram (1,50 euros a ride, but there are also daily, weekly and monthly options). Then at each stop there is a little toll where you tap the card on a sensor, it takes a credit off your account and prints you a validation receipt. Then you take that with you onto the tram. However, I can’t understand why any sensible person would!
The trams are in completely open areas, it is extremely easy to quickly hop onto one. There are several doors throughout but one one employee, the driver at the front – who is separated by a glass wall. No one asks to see your receipt, there isn’t even a system for getting on and off, or just barge the doors. So why pay? Why not just hop on for a free trip to anywhere?!
Before coming I spoke with Strasbourg exchange students in Canada and they told me they never pay for the tram. Occasionally, there will be an employees who comes on and checks for your ticket receipts, and if you don’t have it you pay a fine of about 25 euros. I was to to expect that about every 30 trips – meaning its still cheaper to take the fine.
I have only taken the tram twice since I’ve been here, and though I’ve decided to be a rebel and not pay, I was anxious and looking over my shoulder the whole time. I come from Toronto, where paying 10 cents under fare leads to public humiliation and fines that made you think you should have just bought a car. It’s going to take some getting used to if I want to be laissez faire in my transit options.