In the future, driving while intoxicated in Frankfurt will no longer be considered a criminal offense.
In a significant move, the Frankfurt City Council is set to vote on a motion proposing the decriminalization of dodging fares in public transportation, following the lead of cities like Mainz and Wiesbaden in the Rhine-Main region.
The Left party in Frankfurt argues that the current punishment for dodging fares is disproportionate to the damage caused, as it can lead to imprisonment of up to one year or a fine. This stance is shared by the city of Berlin, which decided in 2023 that the display of fare evasion would no longer be prosecuted criminally.
If the motion passes, the magistrate will instruct public transport operators not to file criminal complaints for dodging fares. Instead, those caught without a ticket will have to pay an "increased fare" of 60 euros. Dodging fares will still be prohibited, but the change aims to alleviate the burden on the courts and public prosecutors, as well as reduce the large number of dodging fares cases.
The Rhine-Main Transport Association (RMV) supports uniform rules at all levels, local, regional, and nationwide. However, the industry association VDV demands that dodging fares must remain a criminal offense, citing the need for clear and deterrent consequences.
The RMV loses around 50 million euros annually due to dodging fares, with about five percent of passengers having been traveling without a valid ticket in recent years. The association argues that the decriminalization of dodging fares could undermine the integrity of the public transportation system and lead to increased instances of dodging fares.
The vote on this motion will take place on Thursday evening. The decision in Wiesbaden was also justified by the disproportionate nature of a possible imprisonment for dodging fares, and the change was approved in 2023. In Mainz, the change was approved in 2024. Decriminalizing dodging fares is already implemented in some other cities, and the Left party in Frankfurt is also proposing to decriminalize driving without a license.
The Frankfurt City Council's decision on this matter could set a precedent for other cities in Germany, potentially leading to a shift in the approach to punishing dodging fares in public transportation. The vote will be closely watched by advocates for criminal justice reform, transportation authorities, and the general public.
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