I dropped Esmeralda off at Mike and the Mechanics for a service and had to take the tram back into town. Tickets must be bought before boarding but of course there was nowhere to buy a ticket so I just jumped on. EU funding has allowed Lodz (and the rest of Poland) to replace it's public transport system and now smart Volvo buses and plush trams glide through the city on new roads and rails, but in order to buy your ticket you still have to search for a kiosk open.
Once aboard a dirty looking passenger approached me, flashed a plastic ID and demanded to see my ticket. I've heard of conmen who pretend to be inspectors, so despite his belligerence made a point of examining his identity card again. I explained that there had been nowhere to buy a ticket, but no matter, I had to pay a cash fine of 60 quid.
Today is Sunday and all the shops are closed. There are no ticket machines at bus or tram stops. If you want to travel today and you did not buy a ticket earlier in the week then you risk a fine.
