Fine - first time offence

Student2 · 2023-04-11T23:01:58+00:00

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Student2

Hi! I’m an international student in Switzerland and I just got fined for the first time on a tram for travelling without a ticket. This happened after midnight and literally one minute after I got on the tram and was about to get a ticket on the sbb app but the controller wouldn’t listen. I’ve been fined a 100 chf (which is a lot as an unemployed student). From what I have read online, I can go to the office and get the fine reduced if I have a travel card? Does that include the half fare card?

I am also quite scared because I have never travelled without a ticket before and now I am worried that this would lead to a criminal record for me, which I don’t know if can come up in background checks from future employers.

Does anyone have any suggestions about what to do?

RolandP

Hello Student2

In what city did it happen?

As a general rule, you must buy the ticket before boarding the tram.

I suggest that you should contact the phone number given on the form (see bottom of the form), and explain yourself and that it happened for the first time. You might get a reduction. When you have a personal travel card that actually covers the ride, but you cannot present the travel card in the event of a ticket check, then will have to show the valid travel card at the counter later and will only pay a small fee.

Travelling without a valid ticket will not be prosecuted after the first time, provided you were cooperative, and you did not cheat. However, when you are travelling frequently, you should make sure to buy a subscription to avoid the hassle of buying tickets for each ride and the risk of forgetting it. Students often get a discount on monthly or yearly subscriptions.

Best regards,
Roland

LeaG

Hi Student2

Thank you for your request.

Depending on where you were checked, SBB is not responsible for the fines. Use the contact information on the fine as a guide and contact the relevant transport company with your request. You will certainly have the opportunity to explain yourself, but a reduction of the bus is never guaranteed.

If you forget your Half-Fare Card and are checked (with a valid ticket), you can present the Half-Fare Card afterwards at the ticket office. But this procedure is simply possible if there was basically a valid ticket for the trip.

I understand that the situation went unhappy. I hope for a good solution for you.

I wish you a nice day.
Kind regards, LeaG

Student2

RolandP

Thank you very much for your advice!

This happened in Basel. I went to the Bvb this afternoon to ask about the fine and if it can be reduced, and they said it depends on what the controller has written in the report. But since this happened after midnight the report was still not logged in the system and I should come back tomorrow. I’m just worried that if it’s not logged in tomorrow as well, I won’t be able to go back since I’m flying back to my country on Friday and I won’t be back in Basel until the end of May.

Also does this incident lead to a criminal record?

Student2

LeaG

Dear Lea,

Thank you very much for your message and advice. I will try with the office again tomorrow and hopefully something would work out.

RolandP

Student2

Also does this incident lead to a criminal record?

Usually, not after the first time provided were cooperative, as I said in my previous reply. They would have to call the court for a criminal record. The final decision rests with BVB, you have to ask them. We cannot speak for BVB.

Best regards,
Roland