Decriminalize fare evasion

Anyone who rides buses or trains without a valid ticket currently commits a criminal offense and can be punished with a fine or even prison. The draft bill would abolish this criminal liability entirely: fare evasion would no longer be a criminal offense. Anyone caught would still pay the transport operators’ increased fare (on average 60 euros), but the state would no longer be involved. People particularly affected by the current penalties include poor people and people experiencing homelessness who cannot afford tickets and, if unable to pay a fine, can end up in prison.