Today I spotted a train labelled “Sonderwagen” on the U3 line running towards the Hohemark in Oberursel.
It was not the normal type of train that is used on this line, and there were all sorts of people from the train company running around it as it stood in the Kupferhammer station.
I took a photo as it approached “Rosengärtchen”, where it did not stop but carried on up the line. Does anyone know what this was about?
Sonderwagen in Oberursel approaches Rosengärtchen
Mit einfachen Zutaten wie Karotten, Kartoffeln und Kohl begeistern 3 Spitzenköche aus dem Hotel Bristol die Pariser U-Bahnfahrer.
In der Metrostation Mironesmil “unter” dem Hotel Bristol kocht Eric Frechón leckere Karotten mit Akazienhonig, Fenchel und Bio-Orangensaft. Die Menschen die in die Station kommen werden von einem appetit anregenden Duft empfangen und sind begeistert von den einfachen Kreationen der Sterneköche. Für Eric Frechón bedeutet sein Beruf sich auszutauschen und Erfahrungen zu teilen, sagt er im Interview auf tagesschau.de. Auf diesem Weg möchte er ein paar Tricks weitergeben.
Mit dieser und anderen Aktionen sollen die Pariser Metrostationen attraktiver werden und die Menschen zu einer Ruhepause zwischen den Fahrten verhelfen.
Ich finde das ist eine gute Idee und hebt sich ab von all den anderen Schnellrestaurants. Die Frage ist ob das jetzt eine einmalige Aktion war oder ob es so etwas in der Art noch öfter geben wird. Solche schnellen Gerichte in “gesund” sind doch mal echt eine Alternative.
When I was a student in Germany, I used to take the train into Frankfurt every few weeks. The only trouble was, that the ticket machines at the station were often out of order.
I remember that the first time this happened, I asked another passenger what I should do, and they told me to write down the serial numbers of all of the ticket machines, and if anyone wanted to see my ticket I should tell them what had happened and prove it using the numbers.
I was reminded of this the other day, as – just as I was in the process of paying – the only machine at our local station decided that it was not going to issue me with a ticket. (Incidentally it had also locked in my bank card!)
Out of order - Außer Betrieb
So what should you really do in such circumstances?
Writing down the number of the machine is certainly a good idea. Apparently, if you are checked by a ticket inspector, they write down your name and address and send someone to see if the machine really was faulty (and presumably fix it).
However, I have since heard of people who then received a bill for the “erhöhtes Beförderungsentgeld” (that’s the fine for travelling without a ticket), because the machine was allegedly working.
I always wondered how such things happened – now I know! Having retrieved my bank card and noted the machine number, we waited for our train to arrive. After a few minutes, the machine reverted to its normal state and the “Außer Betrieb” notices disappeared. We bought our tickets with cash and the train eventually came.
Now, supposing the train had been a few minutes earlier and we had been unable to buy those tickets. Anyone going to check the machine the next day would not have found the problem. (Or do they have audit trails in the software?)
After making some enquiries, I still do not have anything official, but I do have some new advice. Not only is it wise to note down the number(s) of the machine(s), but you should advise the train driver as well. It is then up to him or her to either let you travel without a ticket – something they can then vouch for when the ticket inspectors get on the train. Or they can let you off at the next stop and wait while you buy a ticket there. I emphasise the wait because normally the time at a U-Bahn stop would not be sufficient.
Finally, if ticket inspectors do get into your carriage, it is important to make yourself known to them straight away and get them to talk to the driver. Do not wait for them to come to you!
By the way, the machine really does have to be out of order. If you don’t have the right change, and the machine is not taking notes or bank cards, then that is not considered sufficient to travel without a ticket.
The alternative is to travel a different way – if you can!
Please click on ACCEPT to give us permission to set cookies [more information]
This website uses cookies to give you the best browsing experience possible. Cookies are small text files that are stored by the web browser on your computer. Most of the cookies that we use are so-called “Session cookies”. These are automatically deleted after your visit. The cookies do not damage your computer system or contain viruses. Please read our privacy information page for more details or to revoke permission.