There is one very important fact you should be aware of when visiting Germany and using the very efficient public transportation system: Local and regional public transportation systems usually operate on a proof-of-payment system.

Proof of purchase means that you must buy your bus, tram or commuter rail tickets* before riding the system. For buses, trams and commuter services that operate within cities or connect regional cities, you must also validate your ticket in a small machine located near the entrance/exit of the vehicle. This generally does not apply to commuter services that use the national railway system (Deutsche Bahn).

Most transportation services have inspectors that routinely and randomly check that each passenger has a valid ticket. The penalty for not having a ticket? 40 euros. That is a steep fine roughly equivalent to 12 bottles of German beer in a bar or dinner for two at your favourite local restaurant, with two main course meals and a half liter of house red wine! Travelling without a ticket is often referred to as "traveling black"� and is never a good idea.

My experiences about inspections are varied. During my 19 months in Dessau, I was never asked by an inspector to show my ticket. In fact, I never even saw an inspector. In Konstanz, inspections occurred regularly and it was easy to identify who was an inspector and who wasn't. Each inspector wore a uniform with an identify card showing their name, job and company. In Karlsruhe, you could ride the system for weeks without ever seeing an inspector. But then you could be hit twice in the same day, both coming and going from work.

Just today, in Frankfurt, I was surprised to see that the inspection team was made up of two burly, rough-looking men around 40 years old. They were wearing jeans with no outward signs of their job. When they boarded the regional train car they simply stated, loudly, in German, that they were going to inspect all tickets. Then they showed a wallet-sized identity card to each person as they approached and manually checked each ticket.

If you do not have a ticket, the inspector will write you a ticket on the spot. You are required to show an official identity card to the inspector and provide personal details such as your address. Not having an identity card will result in the police being called by the inspectors.

When planning to use local and regional public transportation, there are a few simple rules to follow:
1. Always, always buy a ticket. And validate it!
2. If possible, print out the map of the transportation system in advance and highlight your destination and your transfer points.
Tip: Do a google search on the major city you want to visit plus the words "public transportation"; for example, "Munich public transportation". Many cities have English sites!
3. When in doubt, ask for help. :)

*Translations:
tickets - Fahrkarten
trams/streetcars - Strassenbahn
subways/underground - U-bahn
light rail systems - S-bahn**
** S-bahn fast train or city train - schnell bahn or stadtbahn.