Drive to stop fare dodging
Teams of ticket inspectors are to be placed at 18 stations and transit points in Athens from September 24 with the aim of at least halving fare dodging on the public transport system and thereby possibly negating the need for the Development Ministry to increase fares from January.
Kathimerini understands that the inspectors will work two eight-hour shifts from September 24 to catch fare dodgers. Incentives will also be offered to passengers who buy tickets, with those who buy a packet of 10 single tickets getting an extra one free. As of next year, authorities plan to offer a free ticket to anyone who hands in 10 used tickets in a bid to stop users of public transport passing on their tickets to other passengers.
Unions representing workers on the metro, Kifissia-Piraeus electric railway and tram announced on Friday that they would be holding a 24-hour strike on Tuesday to protest austerity measures and planned fare hikes.
