Uncommon Subway Fine of 150 Euros in Paris for an Unusual Incident Involving a Local Resident
A Heavy Fine for a Plant: 24-year-old Journalist Faces €150 Penalty on Paris Metro
By Alexis Fargeaudoux Published on
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"That really stung", says Salomé, a 24-year-old journalist in Paris. She was hit with a shocking €150 fine for transporting a plant on the metro, Le Parisien reports. "I was leaving a big plant sale with a friend. It was 5 pm", she recounts. That's when she was asked for her Navigo pass. "I put my plant on the ground and showed my pass to the controller. I thought it was a routine check like there often is. But it took longer than expected", she says.
The journalist wondered if she had done something wrong. "Yes, your plant is too big. You have to pay a fine", she was told. Salomé and her friend, Sophie, were taken aback. "I expected to pay 20 or 30 euros, at most. But when I saw €150 on the terminal...", she says, cautiously. "The controller could have just asked us to turn back, we would have done it!", adds Salomé. Her plant, a bird of paradise, was described as "a dangerous or inconvenient object in a car" on the fine notice.
However, what Salomé regrets is not the rules but the circumstances. She has seen, many times, others with larger plants or objects on the metro. Even a washing machine once, she claims. "But we weren't even in the metro. We were just about to go in", she upsettingly points out.
Watch Out for Sky-High RATP Fines ## Being Caught Early Could Mean a Hefty Penalty
Salomé's case highlights a finicky rule in the RATP's regulations. It seems that the "dangerous or inconvenient object in a car" fine could extend to oversized and large objects, not just dangerous ones[2]. However, the incident occurred before the pair actually entered the metro, casting doubt on the application of the rule in this instance[3]. In response to queries, Le Parisien reports that the RATP confirms that the fine pertains to "both dangerous and large objects".
Now, Salomé wishes to lodge a complaint to challenge the fine, but she fears her efforts will be in vain[4].
Did you know? Large or oversized items on the Paris metro are subject to size restrictions and may cause inconvenience or safety issues[3]. Here are some key guidelines to keep in mind:
- Maximum Size: Items cannot exceed 2 meters in length but must not measure more than 20 cm in other dimensions[2].
- Peer-to-Peer Consideration: While there are no specific weight limits mentioned for items carried on the metro, it's generally expected that passengers manage their belongings in a way that doesn't obstruct doors or pathways[1].
- Crowded Conditions: Larger items might not fit easily in crowded trains or during peak travel times. Consider avoiding main lines like 1, 4, 9, and 13, which are often the most crowded[1].
For very large or heavy items, using alternative transportation options or luggage storage services might be more practical. Storage services like CITY-LOCKER offer locker sizes suitable for large suitcases and provide insurance coverage during storage[5].
- Salomé is contemplating lodging a complaint to challenge the €150 fine she received for transporting a large plant on the metro, despite fears that her efforts may be in vain.
- The RATP's regulations state that the "dangerous or inconvenient object in a car" fine could extend to oversized and large objects, not just dangerous ones, as highlighted by Salomé's case.3.getty_images The Paris metro has size restrictions on items carried, with a maximum length of 2 meters and other dimensions not exceeding 20 cm.
- Salomé, a journalist in Paris, was fined €150 for transporting a bird of paradise plant, which was described as a "dangerous or inconvenient object in a car" on the fine notice, although the incident occurred before she entered the metro.
- Salomé and her friend, Sophie, were confused and upset when they were told to pay the hefty fine for their oversized plant, and contend that the controller could have simply asked them to turn back if the item was indeed too large.
