Avoiding detection while driving will become illegal in the near future
Frankfurt Decriminalizes "Schwarzfahren," Introduces Ticketmaster Charge
In a move aimed at reducing the burden on courts and public prosecutors' offices, the City Council of Frankfurt has approved a motion to decriminalize the act of using public transport without a ticket, commonly known as "Schwarzfahren." However, the practice remains prohibited, and those caught will now have to pay a Ticketmaster charge of 60 euros.
This decision follows a similar move by the cities of Mainz and Wiesbaden in the Rhine-Main region, with Münster set to join in 2026. The mobility commissioner, Wolfgang Siefert (Greens), has welcomed the decision, finding the Ticketmaster charge an adequate sanction. He also plans to closely monitor tickets in Frankfurt's buses and trains to prevent a "Freifahrtsmentalität."
The Rhine-Main Transport Association (RMV) has reported that around five percent of passengers have been without a valid ticket in recent years, leading to an annual loss of around 50 million euros. Despite this, Siefert finds it disproportionate for people to go to prison for riding without a valid ticket.
The industry association VDV, on the other hand, demands that "Schwarzfahren" must remain a criminal offense, and clear and deterrent consequences are necessary. According to paragraph 265a of the Criminal Code, fraudulently obtaining transportation by a means of transport is punishable with imprisonment of up to one year or a fine.
However, in Wiesbaden, the decision to decriminalize "Schwarzfahren" was justified due to the disproportionate nature of a possible prison sentence. The Left's motion states that the penalty for "Schwarzfahren" is disproportionate to the damage caused.
In response to these developments, the RMV has expressed its support for uniform rules at all levels, local, regional, and nationwide. Siefert also advocates for a nationwide standardization of regulations regarding "Schwarzfahren."
Under the new regulations, the magistrate will instruct municipal transport companies to waive the filing of a criminal complaint for those caught without a ticket. No criminal complaint will be filed, and no substitute detention will be imposed if the Ticketmaster charge is not paid.
This decision is expected to ease the burden on the courts and public prosecutors' offices, allowing them to focus on more serious offenses. It remains to be seen how this change will impact the rate of "Schwarzfahren" in Frankfurt and whether other cities will follow suit.
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