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Can ticket inspectors on SL hold you until the police arrive?

What the law says inspectors may do and what you can do about a surcharge.

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Short answer

Ticket inspectors may remove a passenger who refuses to buy a ticket or pay the surcharge, and the police must help with the removal when asked. The law describes removal from the vehicle, not holding someone until the police arrive. You can contest an SL surcharge within 10 days.

SL: how to pay Illustration of a metro train, a tram, a city bike and a parking sign on a city street

Why

  1. A passenger who refuses to buy a ticket or pay the surcharge may be removed from the vehicle by an officer who carries out fare checks, according to the Act (1977:67) on surcharges in public transport.
  2. At the request of the inspector, the Swedish Police Authority must give assistance to carry out the removal, according to the same Act.
  3. SL has the right to charge a surcharge to anyone with no ticket or the wrong ticket at an inspection, and you can contest it, according to SL.

Details

No surcharge may be charged if the missing ticket can be considered excusable, for example because of age, illness or unfamiliarity with local conditions. For your own rights when dealing with the police, see whether you have to answer police questions in Sweden, and for the surcharge itself see how to pay for SL in Stockholm.

Tip

Have a valid ticket ready at the inspection, and if you think a surcharge is wrong, contest it within 10 days. SL customer service answers on 08 600 10 00 around the clock.

What may differ

The surcharge can be waived when the missing ticket is excusable, for example because of the traveller's age, illness or unfamiliarity with local conditions, according to the Riksdag.

Common misconception

Ticket inspectors have the same powers as the police and can arrest you.

What actually happens

According to the Act on surcharges in public transport, an inspector may remove a passenger who refuses to buy a ticket or pay the surcharge, and the police must assist the removal when asked.

People also ask

  • Can ticket inspectors hold me until the police arrive?
  • Do SL ticket inspectors have the right to detain you?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check SL before you travel.

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