Finns Form Union for Turnstile Jumpers
HELSINKI, Finland (AP) - Finns intent on not paying for public transportation have formed their own union - fitting in a country dubbed ``the promised land of associations,'' where 80 percent of the work force are members of some sort of trade union.
The Helsinki-based group, pummit.org (freeloader in English), is offering people who don't want to pay for public transportation the opportunity to have their fines paid by joining the group.
Membership is 15 euros (US$17) a month, but if a member is stopped for riding the city's public buses, trams, streetcars, subway and ferries without paying - usually a 50 euro fine (US$57) - the union picks up the tab.
A two-week pass for using the Helsinki public transportation typically sells for between 19-34 euros (US$22-US$39).
``With the help of the freeloader's fund, we can share the risk associated with stealing rides,'' the organization advertises, adding that all public transportation should be free to begin with.
The group has been active for a year, but local transportation officials condemned it Friday.
``Even if doesn't directly instigate breaking the law, the marketing of the freeloader's fund is probably illegal,'' Yrjo Judstrom and Matti Hiili, directors of the city's transportation department, said. ``There absolutely is no such thing as a free ride.''
A similar group in neighboring Sweden provides the same type of insurance, including a Web site that features tips on turnstile-hopping and dodging ticket controls.
On the Net:
Finland:
www.pummit.org
Sweden:
www.planka.nu
07/04/03 08:09