Using the public transportation system is the best way to get to know a city. In Florence, they have trams, buses, electric buses that cover the city quite well.
You can buy your ticket at the Tabacco shops for 1,20 Euro per way. The ticket is valid up to ninety minutes. You can also purchase your ticket on the bus for 2 Euros.
Once you climb into a bus, it's up to you to validate your ticket. The driver is not responsible to check if you have paid your fare. The transport industry in Florence is based on trust. In fact, I would say, in most of Europe, if not all, it's based on trust and honesty. Should you be caught without a valid ticket, the fine is $40 Euros in Florence.
Now let's look at reality in the last four days.
As a diligent tourist, I have been paying the fares.
I have also witnessed people who get on and off without validating their tickets.
I have seen families get on, ask the driver for tickets, he has none left and yet they stay on to enjoy the ride.
I have yet to see a patrol officer checking for valid tickets.
So how is the public transport system sustaining itself financially? Was this just a sample size, I happen to look at, with the 90 mins grace period? Or is the tourism industry paying for the free transport to the 350,000 Fiorentines in Florence?
Which now brings me to the Montreal public transport...
We have hikes in fares every January, there are more attendants in our metro system to watch like a hawk, our turn stlyes are yet another means of patroling the situation. Yet the STCUM seems to run out of funds and needs to raise fees.
Why have we not put in more electric buses on our roads, like they have here in Florence?
A lot of questions....would be nice to have SOME answers.
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