Today is the first time since I have been on the metro and had my transportation pass checked, so I thought this would be a good time to take a second and reflect on the public transportation Copenhagen! I have had many friends whose passes have been checked several times, but today was my first time and it wasn't as scary as I imagined it would be (I don't know why I thought it would be, I just did). I'm not sure what happens if you forget your pass at home or at school... but I don't want to find out, then that would be a scary moment!
I know a lot of people's concerns are commuting to DIS from their respective housing when applying or even thinking of applying to DIS. It was a huge concern for me, especially being an architecture major and knowing how much time is spent in studio. Public transportation in Copenhagen and the outer areas is literally the easiest part of being here. The entire system is so organized and straight forward. So, I want to tell you, coming from the ultimate worry-wart herself, that there is absolutely nothing to be worried about.
A big difference between home and Copenhagen is the amount of trust the government has in its people with regards to public transportation. To ride a bus, a train, or the metro you must purchase a ticket for the number of zones you will be traveling through. As students at DIS, we get passes that allow us to ride on public transportation for the entire semester. Depending on where you live, you get a different number zones; I live on Amager, so I have three zones on my pass. When you get on the metro, train, or bus, there is no person collecting tickets or really holding people accountable for paying their fare. However, there will be random checks. That is where the trust in the people comes in. If you get caught without a valid pass or ticket, you are given another kind of ticket, one which costs you 750 Kr or $112. So, as long as you have your pass you are all set to go!
I know a lot of people's concerns are commuting to DIS from their respective housing when applying or even thinking of applying to DIS. It was a huge concern for me, especially being an architecture major and knowing how much time is spent in studio. Public transportation in Copenhagen and the outer areas is literally the easiest part of being here. The entire system is so organized and straight forward. So, I want to tell you, coming from the ultimate worry-wart herself, that there is absolutely nothing to be worried about.
A big difference between home and Copenhagen is the amount of trust the government has in its people with regards to public transportation. To ride a bus, a train, or the metro you must purchase a ticket for the number of zones you will be traveling through. As students at DIS, we get passes that allow us to ride on public transportation for the entire semester. Depending on where you live, you get a different number zones; I live on Amager, so I have three zones on my pass. When you get on the metro, train, or bus, there is no person collecting tickets or really holding people accountable for paying their fare. However, there will be random checks. That is where the trust in the people comes in. If you get caught without a valid pass or ticket, you are given another kind of ticket, one which costs you 750 Kr or $112. So, as long as you have your pass you are all set to go!