Public Transportation

Inside a train

The one thing that I absolutely love about living in Germany is the public transportation. Now, since I previously lived in Pittsburgh, PA,I have had my share of using the public transportation.  I knew that Germany had a better system (just by what I have heard) but I had no idea how easy and tourist friendly it is (at least in Jena, I cannot speak for all towns).  In Jena, the city where I am living, there are at least 2 train stations (bahnhof) (this is unusual because German cities usually have one train station that is a hub for all connecting trains but because  the two main lines were built by two different private companies there are two stations), 5 different tram routes during the day and three later at night, and many bus routes that connect the places further from the city. 

Tram Ride 

The train station: There are trains that connect you across the whole country of Germany.  I have taken these trains a few times and plan on taking them a lot more.  Not only do the trains take you across Germany but they also take you to other countries and other big cities in Europe.  One thing to know with trains especially is that if you buy your ticket ahead of time and not on the train you must validate it at the train station or on the train when you get there to take the train.  The easiest way is to find a validation station at the train station.  Some of the older trains do not have these stations on the train so I make sure to be safe and do it ahead of time.  If you do not have a ticket or the ticket is not validated you will then be fined and if you get a fine on a train that will then become a criminal record in Germany. 

One of the many trains in Germany

The trams: A little information from Wikipedia about Jena's Tramway. The Jena tramway network (German: Straßenbahnnetz Jena) forms part of the public transport system in Jena, in the federal state of Thuringia,Germany. Opened in 1901, the network is currently operated by Jenaer Nahverkehrsgesellschaft; it has five lines in operation during the day, and three lines operating in the evening and/or overnight. 
The trams are local and connect you around the city or town that you are living or visiting. I take the tram everyday to work so I buy a monthly pass each month that is good for the busses and the trams.  If you are new to a city and do not know how the tickets or trams work I suggest buying a ticket in advance at the tram stop( if the have one ) because it will be in English (that is if you are a Native English Speaker or if your English is better than your German) and you can better see what you are choosing. You can buy booklets for trips as well as weekly, monthly or single tickets.  If you buy the ticket at the tram station again make sure that you validate it on the tram when you get on.  If you do not validate the ticket or if you do not have a ticket you will then be fined.  (My fine was 40 Euros but I did not get a criminal record because I had ID (my passport) and I was able to pay right then and there. I am not sure what would have happened if I was not able to pay then.)  

The buses: The buses are very similar to the tram.  I have not taken the buses too many times but the times that I have, I have noticed many similarities to the tram.  The bus lines just go a little further from the city and in the less popular areas of the city.

A bad picture but it is one of my monthly tram passes

How I have seen Jena's public transportation as being tourist/ foreigner(not sure if this is the correct word) friendly:

• The major stations in the city are announced in German as well as English.  Whether is is the major train station or the major tram and bus hubs they are announced in both languages. I have also seen that the last station is also announced in English as well as Germany so that all passengers know and understand. 
• The ticket stations have an English option.  Now, for the trams and buses, I have only seen this option at the ticket stations that are not on the trams or buses.  The trains, however, I have seen an English option for all of the ticket machines on and off the trains (but not all trains have ticket machines on them). 
• I hate to say this but, yes I got my first ticket for riding the tram without a ticket (long story but it was not a purposeful action).  Okay so I got a ticket and I was nervous because I don't speak German.  I wasn't sure what was going to happen.  Luckily one  of the people checking tickets was able to speak English very well and it made the process a lot easier and not as stressful. 

Differences between Pittsburgh and Jena:

• The major tram and bus stops in Jena have an electronic schedule that tells you if the tram or bus is on time and how far away it is.  In Pittsburgh the busses were always late or early and there was no way of knowing. 
• In Pittsburgh you pay or show your bus pass when you get on the bus (or sometimes when you get off) to the driver (this way you never forget to pay).  In Jena/Germany you only have to show your ticket, whether is it bought then or a weekly/monthly pass, when/if the authority gets on the bus/tram to see it.  You are not always checked for a ticket on the busses and trams.  On the trains, however, you are always checked. 
• The trams in Jena stop at every stop where the busses in Jena as well as the busses in Pittsburgh only stop if there is someone waiting or if someone has pushed the stop button. 
• In Pittsburgh you will only get kicked off the bus or not allowed on the bus if you do not have a ticket in Jena/Germany you WILL get a fine and possibly a criminal record.  

The things that I love most about German public transportation:

Example of a German tram schedule

• The public transportation in Jena/Germany seems perfected and is almost always on time! If it is not on time it usually tells you with the electronic schedule. 
• All of the tram schedule and I think bus schedules will tell you how long it takes to get the a particular stop.  You can see it on the left side of the schedule. 
• The trams, busses, and trains seem to always be clean. 
• I do not have to worry about needing to travel somewhere for work.  There is always a tram, bus, or train that will get me to where I need to be.  
• I do not need any form of transportation other than public (and walking of course) and I do not have to worry about the things that come with buying a vehicle. 

There is so much more but I know this isn't a very interesting topic just something that is nice to know and you may need to know.