Dresden transport companies intensify controls against black drivers!

Dresden transport companies intensify controls against black drivers!

Dresden, Deutschland - The Dresden Verkehrsbetriebe (DVB) will attract the reins from next week and strengthen the ticket controls in buses and trains. The reason for this is obvious: the return of numerous passengers in public transport (public transport) after the pandemic restrictions leads to an increase in black trips. RadioDresden reports that specially trained employees of a security company will be used in cooperation with the police for larger checks. The aim is that each passenger is checked once per quarter, whereby the controls should take place especially on weekends and in the evening.

A look at the numbers shows that the topic of illegal driving can take enormous dimensions. In Dresden, Dierate of the caught black drivers are stable at 2.5 to 3 percent, which means a total of around 4.6 million passengers without a valid ticket in 2024 for around 183 million passengers. This leads to loss of income in the millions for DVB. The increasing passenger numbers that go with the Germany ticket also contribute to the problem, which underpins the need for increased controls.

legal framework and sanctions

illegal driving is considered a crime nationwide and is legally regarded as a “cancellation of services” in accordance with Section 265a of the Criminal Code. The punishment in Germany is at least 60 euros if a passenger should be found without a valid ticket. [Fr] (https://www.fr.de/verzuser/strafe-neues-strafmass-schwarzfahrer-Deutschland-staedtte-Vorende-berin-Potsdam-93207716.html) reports that repeated illegal driving can even lead to a money or prison sentence of up to one year. However, more recent developments show that some cities, such as Potsdam, have decided not to file a criminal complaint in more silent cases, which represents a departure from previous practice. The burden for those affected is to be reduced, while the focus is also on notorious black drivers.

But there are also similar efforts in other cities that want to re -evaluate the topic of illegal driving. Mainz and Wiesbaden have announced that they no longer pursue illegal driving, while Frankfurt remains strictly with the previous sanctions and maintains the punishment of illegal driving as a criminal offense. Despite these discussions, the increased transport fee of 60 euros remains even if there is no criminal complaint.

what the inspectors should consider

Surveys show that public opinion about the sentence is very different: Around half of the respondents feel the current penalties for illegal driving than too strict. The Greens in Berlin support the "Potsdamer Weg" and argue that criminal prosecution would only tighten social problems. Nevertheless, the Berlin Senate Department sees no reason to change the legal framework and fear an increase in black trips if the punishments are relaxed.

If passengers are incorrectly prosecuted for illegal driving, they can submit their ticket within seven days and then pay a processing fee of seven euros. Despite this relief, it is important to keep an eye on that the inspectors can also absorb personal data and, if you have any ID, consult the police.

You can see that the steps that the DVB takes are not only necessary to contain the financial loss, but also to send a clearer signal to the community: illegal driving is not tolerated. In times when the use of public transport is more important than ever, every passenger should also be willing to make their contribution.