Passengers caught riding without a valid ticket on public transport in Athens and Thessaloniki will face hefty fines under new legislation passed by parliament, as authorities move to curb fare evasion and address attacks on ticket inspectors.
Under the new rules approved by parliament on March 23, a flat fine of €100 will replace the previous penalty of approximately €72 for traveling without a ticket on buses, the metro, trams, the electric railway, and trolleybuses.
Passengers entitled to reduced fares will face a lower fixed penalty of €50. The new fines take effect two months after publication in the Government Gazette, placing their entry into force at the end of May.
Passengers who purchase an unlimited monthly travel card valid for at least 30 days may have their fine reduced by 50 percent.
Ticket inspections have also been intensified, with controllers conducting more frequent and targeted checks, often unannounced, leaving less room for passengers to travel without validating their tickets.
