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When I was in Lille several years ago, you were supposed to buy a ticket but it really wasn't enforced at all. The ticket machines were to the side of the train entry, and there were no turnstiles or anything like that. My first time I got on without even realizing I was supposed to pay.

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This is the norm for nearly every form of transit in Switzerland and Germany, among a few other countries. I use buses and trams daily as well as urban trains and seem to be checked every 1-2 months, on average.

It works partly because the fines are relatively significant and levels of public trust and integrity are likely more universal, so there are few "Schwarzfahrers" (fare dodgers, literally "black travelers").

I've had to tell tourists the local transit is not free though, so maybe it needs to be marked better for them.

Out of curiosity, where was this?

Heidelberg.

They didn't have signs to that effect (regarding fares)?

Caltrain has the same "honor" system, but conductors often do proof-of-payment checks.

Lille's subway is "driverless".

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