Sarajevo. 'Bogus ticket inspectors' on tram number one.
@yamyamyam
Sep 20, 2011 8:39 AM
Posts: 26
Three weeks ago I visited Sarajevo with three friends for two days. We caught tram number 1 from the main bus/train station. I bought four tickets from the driver and validated them in the machine.
About one minute into the journey we were approached by three men claiming to be ticket inspectors and asked to see our tickets. They claimed two of the tickets were not validated and demanded €30 ‘fine’ each for the two tickets that were not validated. They then asked to see the passports of my two friends and not thinking/panicking. Straightaway they kept them and so they were 'trapped' and obliged to stay on the bus. We argued and said we stamped them at the same time so how could two be OK and two not? How can two be stamped and two not??
I believe the inspector changed two of the tickets for blank ones or somehow the validating machine was temporary tampered with. It was clearly criminal what was going on, they threatened to call the police and we agreed that the police should be involved because we believed we were being robbed and would call their bluff and accompany them to the nearest police station.
My two friends who had their passports taken were obviously concerned and asked for them back then one of the ‘guards/inspectors’ got angry and started hitting and kicking my friend. With this, my two friends panicked and resigned themselves to paying the ‘fine’ of €30 each and then got their passports back. My conclusion they were robbed. Local people on board who saw all this, must have known what was going on but nothing was done by them. Two of the inspectors got off the tram near the Latin Bridge with the biggest smirks on their faces and €60 richer.
One was undoubtedly a ticket inspector he had the ID, the other two - crooks. No ID, not quite the same uniform. They and probably the driver were all in on it.
The next day, a bit more wiser we took a tram journey and found some validating machines were not working. Mortified we told the driver who agreed he would vouch for us if we were confronted by inspectors again. A bit of a lottery
I sent an e-mail, detailing what happened and time of the incident to the Sarajevo transport authority and tourist authority. I got no reply. So they are obviously not too concerned about corruption/robbery against tourists.
CONCLUSION: Beware of tram number 1 plying the bus station Sarajevo centre route especially if you look like a tourist. Make sure your ticket is validated - obviously, only show it to an inspector with it still in your hand. Never, ever hand over your passport. Agree to get the police involved if they threaten you with them. Better still negotiate a price for a taxi, or get your accommodation to organise one for you.
I've got no axe to grind against Sarajevo. I really enjoyed the city and would definitely go back to visit again. It is a beautiful and relaxed city, with plenty of history, old and a poignantly modern one. I would recommend the place to anyone. But this incident did leave a bad first impression.
Brian
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Hbga, dođoše nam ''glave'' hojratinska mafija iz GRAS-a, a ni policija se nije proslavila!
Sad mi došli gosti iz grada i žale se kako je hrana gdje su maloprije jeli pre pre pre skupa hajd ja kontam mozda im cevapi ili nesto skupi, kad mi oni kazu da su platili 96 km 2 pilece supe, plahtu pilecih raznjica, 1 rizoto i 4 piva, ja kontam dobro to bi trebalo u vrh glave da kosta jedno 40 km a ne 96km, kazu da su slicno to puno jeftinije dobili u Zagrebu i Beču. Što najgore sve osim ražnjica je bilo totalno hladno, pitam gdje su vas to tako oderali a oni kazu Bosanska Kuca na carsiji, kontam u sebi jbg da ste me pitali dobili bi cijelo janje s raznja za 96 km.
sad to treba nekako "izmajmunat" kod ovih hahara na vlasti 
