Recently, I bought a monthly GA card for around 350 CHF. But on my second weekend trip outside of zurich, I got pickpocketed and lost my card. I realised this only when the ticket inspector fined me 80 CHF for not having one.

Anyway, I thought i will be able to get a replacement card from SBB and revoke the fine. But now SBB is telling they cannot reissue my GA card as it is a monthly one and i have to pay the fine too.

What I don't understand is that paying the 80 CHF fine even when their records show that i have a valid GA caqrd during that period (they showed me this in their computer).

Did anybody else have similar experience???

Well i guess the fine is for not keeping the GA card with you when the ticket inspector asked for it although in this case you lost your card. Tough luck.

The problem is that the ticket inspector does not have any information on your GA card. He can only verify it by seeing the actual card, looking at the photo and period of validity etc. But i agree it would be really nice if they can remove the fine in such cases.

strange :-s

I didn't have my GA (yearly one) once on the train, and I just had to pay the CHF5 fine to take it to the train station the next day, but I had to dodge a few other inspectors on the way back and explain that I already picked up a 5 franker...

I don't understand why it would make any difference to have a monthly GA or a yearly one, as long as it's a picture bearing one. Cos even without a GA, all picture bearing trasport passes have the advantage in the sense that you're not fined if you are caught without one...

TLD

Actually they do. Those machines they carry with them have details of all GAs. IF you carry a photo ID there's no reason why they can't verify that you have a GA.

Except they fine you anyway.

That surprises me! I would make a stink, go to the station and ask for the boss and really press it. I think it's been established on the forum that most people here just tuck tail and pay fines even if they are unjust (though I'm sure someone will argue that). If you take them to the mat I'll bet you a Coke that they drop the fine.

As for not re-issuing the pass; perhaps that's in the fine print somewhere?? Try to look it up. If it's not then I'd put them in a headlock over that too.

So far my experiences with the SBB have been very positive. I hope you just landed on a grumpy employee having a bad day.

The problem is that if you lose your GA card, you cannot produce it when you go to pay the 5CHF. They will check with the computer and tell that they know you have a valid GA card.

But if you lose a monthly GA card, then you have no option but to pay the full 80 CHF. They won't reissue monthly GA card.

SBB atleast should have made some exceptions for these situations or a warning or a small fine the first time

Is this a one-year GA card that you are paying for monthly, or is it a GA card that you only have for one month? If it is the former, then the above comments about the inspector looking you up on the computer and just paying a 5 CHF charge are correct. If it is the latter, which I suspect it is given that you said that they can't re-issue it, then I'm not surprised that you were charged the standard fine for travelling without a ticket.

I actually went to SBB office and met all the higher ups. But apparently Swiss rules cannot be bend. I paid the fine on the 10th day as i don't want to pay an extra fine for being late.

can you claim it back on insurance (fine included)?

i was fined once too. You can have the fine reduced to 30 (administrative fee ) plus whatever the minutes u spend on the phone with sbb. That is, of course, If you make a compelling case.

Train Fine for not having night ticket Can anyone advise?

Man, what a bummer! Must have been a regional train? Otherwise they would have at least given the option of buying a ticket with a 5 franc fine no?

Yup, its the latter

But still i thought it was personalised as the GA card was issued for my 6 digit ZVV Half card. Apparently, this doesn't mean it will be reissued.

This might be my mistake in not knowing but still to get fined for something which is not under your control pisses me.

Insurance??

According to the T&C on the SBB website, a monthly GA card can be re-issued against a fee.

Since you have a personalised (I hope it is) abo, you should be able to have it re-issued AND then go back to the counter and demand to pay only the CHF 5.- (have seen that you paid already though...) - which is the usual fee for not having your Abo on you, but you can prove that you have a valid one at the counter later on. Of course this is only for personal tickets...

So far for my theory at least.

Even i thought so..
But as I bought my GA card with my half card, SBB is telling they cannot print it again.

I got fined while taking a one minute ride to the next bus stop in a local bus. Ironically,That was the only time i decided to take the bus on that route instead of walking.
"**** happens"

Can you not buy a ticket while you are on the train?

obviously it was a "self-control" service with the yellow eye icon

fwiw, to "repay" SBB for unfair events past, I use Amex for all transactions with them. 5% as usual, I hope

I tried to do that
But the inspector told me if i wanted to buy the ticket, i should have done this before getting into the ride.

Never count on that - I think this is the case only in the IR Interregio trains (please do correct me if anyone knows better) and you pay a fee for that. Usually you have to get your ticket beforehand as most trains are self-controlling.

Yes on inter-regional/long-distance trains (i.e., NOT S-BAHN). You pay a surcharge of CHF 5 for doing so, unless you already possess a ticket for part of the trip and are extending (i believe a zvv ticket would also count here) or are upgrading to 1st class.