Just an FYI about some changes that took place this week. The fine for not having a valid metro ticket has increased from 33€ to 50€.
Here's an article with more details: https://www.thelocal.fr/20161003/paris-hikes-fines-for-fare-dodgers-and-noisy-passengers
All to the good. However, buskers and beggars making speeches were still strolling inside the cars a month ago
and have evaded authorities before. The heart of the problem is that some passengers do give them money. How many more times in life does anyone need to hear Under Paris Skies on the button accordion?
Good. I have seen tourists taking advantage of the system.
What did you see Ginger?
I just came back. The people begging on the metro may have a ticket. I don't mind so much if they play something, most just walked up and down the aisle with their hand out. One guy went down the car and handed out printed cards, then walked back through and collected them with his hand out. It might be a good investment.
I was stopped twice and asked for a ticket by the metro people during 8 days in Paris - they were stopping everyone - but I also saw local kids going through, over, under the gates without a ticket at least a handful of times.
How many more times in life does anyone need to hear Under Paris Skies on the button accordion?
I suspect that once would be one too many times for me.
The beggars make their rounds. I lived on line 4 and saw the same people going to and from school. Last year when I took my students to visit Paris the same beggars were making their rounds. Felt great being in the neighborhood again,
Unfortunately, many of those young children and their parents live inside the Metro system, in any cubbyhole they can find. There are spigots that they use to keep clean, and some even have appliances so they can cook. The Metro police generally let them stay, unless there is some serious disturbance.
The people giving speeches in the Metro are beggars, who might have some mental or physical disability and have no other way to make a living.
The guys playing music are not supposed to be allowed on the Metro wagons, and I've seen them kicked off the train by agents. The only musicians allowed to play in the Metro stations have to pass a juried test and will have a permit to play in the corridors.
