Penalty Fare

To always be on the safe side when using public transport in Wiesbaden, you should familiarize yourself with the regulations regarding the Increased Fare (EBE). If you're caught without a valid ticket during a ticket inspection, you will be required to pay an EBE of €60.

The ticket inspectors from ESWE Verkehr strictly adhere to legal guidelines and transport conditions. This means that the inspection staff only checks whether a passenger can present a valid ticket. If not, the passenger’s personal details will be recorded, and the EBE will be due. Unfortunately, the individual circumstances that led to this situation cannot be taken into account in order to ensure fair treatment for all passengers. However, you do have the option to submit the incident for review within seven days.

An exception applies if you own a personal, non-transferable time ticket (from the weekly pass onwards), which you didn't have with you during the inspection but was valid at the time of the ticket check. In this case, the EBE will be reduced to €7.

An increased fare (EBE) can quickly become expensive. To ensure you don’t pay a cent more than necessary, we at ESWE Verkehr have put together the most important tips for you:

1. Validate your multi-ride ticket correctly
If you use a multi-ride ticket, you must validate it immediately upon boarding. Have your ticket ready before getting on the bus, and don’t search for it once you’re already inside. Avoid sitting down first – this is the best way to prevent an increased fare.

Tip for parents: Make sure your child also knows how to correctly validate the multi-ride ticket.

2. Check the purchase date of your multi-ride ticket  
   Always keep an eye on the purchase date of your ticket. Multi-ride tickets are only valid for six months after a fare change. Avoid using expired tickets to save unnecessary costs.

3. Validator broken?
If a validator is broken, try the second one in the vehicle. In smaller buses with only one validator, ask the driver – they can manually validate your ticket with a pen.

4. Ticket machine at the stop broken?
If the ticket machine at the stop is not working, don’t just board without a ticket. Purchase your ticket directly on the bus or tram at the onboard machine. Please note that only cashless payments are accepted on our buses and trams.

5. Boarding correctly
Without a valid ticket, it’s important to board correctly. On the bus, use the front door near the driver. On trams, enter through the marked doors where a ticket machine is located. This way, it’s clear that you intend to purchase a ticket.

6. Ticket with a stroller or bike
If you board with a stroller or bicycle through a rear door and the bus starts moving, make sure to buy a ticket at the next stop at the latest. A longer delay won’t be tolerated.

7. Cashless payment & prepaid card
Only cashless payments are accepted on our vehicles. If you don’t have a bank account, or for children, we recommend our prepaid card. This way, you’re always on the safe side.

8. Counting short-distance trips
If you’re using a short-distance ticket, make sure to exit by the third stop. This helps avoid misunderstandings and additional costs.

9. No round trips or return journeys
An RMV single ticket entitles you to one journey in one direction. Transfers are allowed, but only until you reach your destination. Round trips or return journeys with a single ticket are not permitted.

10. Ask if in doubt
If you’re unsure, always ask the staff. An increased fare will be charged under § 9, paragraph 1 of the General Conditions of Carriage (VO-ABB), regardless of whether you were found without a ticket intentionally or negligently.

11. Don’t laminate or copy your ticket  
Don’t laminate your ticket, as this is prohibited by fare regulations and invalidates the ticket. Screenshots of mobile tickets or photocopies of paper tickets are also not valid for travel.

Follow these tips to travel stress-free and without extra costs with ESWE Verkehr!

If you were caught without a ticket during a control, you have a total of seven days to:

• Present the valid personal ticket from the time of the control at our Mobility Center and pay the reduced fee of €7.
• Pay the fee of €60 if you do not have a valid ticket.
• Submit a written objection if you believe you were wrongly issued the fine. Please send your objection, including the fine reference number, in writing via our contact form or by mail to the Mobility Center. The incident will be reviewed in detail, and you will receive a response. If you disagree with the response, please contact consumer arbitration.

We participate in the arbitration process of the Arbitration Board for Travel & Traffic e.V. If you are not satisfied with how we handle your concern, you can submit an arbitration request to the Arbitration Board:

Arbitration Board for Travel & Traffic e.V.
Fasanenstraße 81, D-10623 Berlin
http://schlichtung-reise-und-verkehr.de