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Metro: all these gestures that could become offenses

undefined undefined 1 mars 2025 undefined 07h30

The Editor

© Ally Griffin / Unsplash

On the metro, we know that there are rules and laws to follow. Having a valid ticket and not being rude to others are, for example, among the most obvious ones. Others, however, like listening to music or putting your feet on the seats, are less known and not always respected. To change that, the government has decided to tighten the penalties for not following certain ones.

It’s not uncommon, when using Parisian public transport, to encounter people behaving with outrageous rudeness. Whether it’s sharing their whole phone conversation with the entire train, using a small corner of the aisle as a urinal, or feeling entitled to smoke on the platforms just because they’re vaping. These behaviors are irritating, annoying, and, thankfully, are already punishable by fines today. But apparently, that’s not enough for the government, which has decided to tighten the screws.


From simple fines to misdemeanors with possible jail time

On Tuesday, February 11, the Senate adopted a bill to enhance safety and civility in public transport. Indeed, the minister of...

Transports Philippe Tabarot wants to make these topics a priority. New measures include the possibility of equipping inspectors with body cameras, allowing agents to intervene around train stations and not just inside them, and permitting searches by railway security personnel.

But also, and above all, to strengthen the penalties in case of checks. So, while until now most of the nuisances and related gestures were subject to small fines (which could still rise to €150), the new law could raise the stakes by making some of these acts into offenses. For repeat offenders, penalties could go up to €7,500 and 6 months of imprisonment. Without specifying the exact cases, Yves Dufour, Deputy Director of rail transport and safety at UTPF, also mentioned that offenders could face a complete ban from appearing at the station.


The behaviors in question

If, for now, the exhaustive list of behaviors and nuisances is not yet ready, we've got some exciting changes on the horizon!

Leaked, here are those we know (and let's just say these are things we see all too often).

- Disturbance of Peace: the metro is a decompression chamber, a moment of relaxation. So, if you want to listen to music, remember your earphones.

- Stains (slight soiling of the seats: feet on the bench): at the same time, you're not at home, I want to say!

- Smoking or vaping ban violation: if you can't wait for 3 stations, it's time to ask yourself some important questions.

- Filming or taking photos without permission: yes, it might surprise you, but it's true.

- Triggering the alarm signal: not only might you face a hefty fine, but you'll also attract the ire of all the other passengers.

- Leaving/forgetting an item in a vehicle/space: we all know that if your SpongeBob backpack is left on the train, it's just a forgetful moment, not a terrorist act. Sadly, life can be unfair.

- Violation of the prohibition on spitting or urinating: come on, a little decorum goes a long way, right?

- Begging, soliciting, distributing flyers: the rule is clear: the first person to talk to their neighbor in the corridors is the loser.

- Entry/stay of a person in a state of...Obvious intoxication: sometimes, it’s better to take an Uber. Plus, it’ll cost you less in case of a fine. Clever!

- Obstacle to equipment operation: for example, wandering onto the tracks. Just saying.

- Introduction or irregular transport of animals: like an anaconda or a crocodile. Your dog is perfectly fine as long as it's on a leash and follows the rules, so no worries there!