Berlin U-Bahn's Fare Evasion Fight: Barriers Proposed, Critics Arise
Berlin's U-Bahn system faces a contentious proposal by Dirk Stettner of the CDU to install barriers or turnstiles to combat fare evasion. The idea has sparked debate among transport authorities and passenger groups. Stettner estimates the cost at around 400 million euros, a figure disputed by some. He envisions this as part of the 'Berlin 2035' mobility concept. However, both the BVG (Berlin's transport authority) and the passenger association IGEB oppose the proposal due to the significant effort and cost involved. Barriers, common in other U-Bahn systems, pose challenges in Berlin's unique network. Its historic architecture and many old stations lack the space for barriers. Monument protection and accessibility issues further complicate implementation. Christian Linow of IGEB considers the idea 'passenger-hostile', citing negative experiences with similar systems in Warsaw. Despite the challenges and opposition, Stettner remains adamant about his proposal. The future of fare collection in Berlin's U-Bahn system remains uncertain, with both cost and passenger experience at the heart of the debate.
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