Man Fined 260,000 Won for Carrying TV on Paris Metro; Controversy Over Inconsistent Enforcement

A man in Paris, France, was fined over 200,000 won for carrying a television on the subway.
According to the daily newspaper Le Parisien, a man named Mathieu was stopped by Paris Transport Authority (RATP) staff in a transfer corridor on the afternoon of June 28 (local time) while transporting a flat-screen TV in a box via the subway.
RATP staff issued a fine of 150 euros (260,000 won) on the grounds that Mathieu was carrying an item that was dangerous or caused inconvenience to others.
Mathieu and his friend, who were not stopped by ticket office staff when they first entered the subway with the TV, refused to pay the fine on the spot.
As a result, the fine was increased to 200 euros.
Mathieu and his friend were eventually forced out of the station and had to call for a vehicle.
Mathieu expressed his frustration to Le Parisien, stating, "The RATP staff told me that 'you cannot use ignorance of the rules as an excuse.' It is quite ironic considering they encourage Parisians to use public transport. Of course, it is a large TV, but it is not a cinema screen, is it?"
The TV box Mathieu was carrying measured 150 cm in length, 90 cm in width, and 15 cm in thickness.
According to the regulations on the RATP website, "parcels, bags, or luggage that can be carried by one person" are permitted "as long as they do not hinder other passengers or their movement."
On the other hand, it also states that the carrying and transport of "objects, parcels, bags, or luggage that may be dangerous or cause obstruction or inconvenience to passengers due to their nature, quantity, or insufficient packaging" are prohibited, citing furniture, home appliances, and bulky suitcases as examples.
In response to an inquiry from Le Parisien, the RATP emphasized that "dangerous or inconvenient items on board" include "not only hazardous materials but also bulky items."
The authority added, "Posters guiding passengers on proper usage rules are posted at every station."
Mathieu plans to contest the fine.
In a similar incident in May of last year, a woman was fined 150 euros for carrying a 130 cm tall plant on the subway.
At the time, the woman contested the fine, stating, "I have seen many people on the subway carrying items much bulkier than a plant. I even saw someone carrying a washing machine once." She was eventually refunded the 150 euros.
According to Le Parisien, similar to the French National Railway Company (SNCF), RATP staff receive 10 percent of the fine amount if they collect the payment on the spot.
(Photo: Capture from X (formerly Twitter), Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.