A Day with Petra and Peter from Ticket Inspection and Passenger Information
Vanessa Hunnius / Wiener Linien Editorial Team 19.03.2026
Reading time: 5 Min.
A typical day on Vienna’s public transport network: commuters rushing to work, teenagers laughing on the subway, tourists trying to navigate the system. And right in the middle of it all are Petra and Peter from ticket inspection and passenger information. For many years, they have been working for Wiener Linien - checking tickets, ensuring compliance with the rules in vehicles and stations, and helping to keep things running smoothly. They take us along for a day, share insights into their work, and explain why getting around is simply better when people show consideration and respect.
Different Paths, One Shared Role
Petra has been part of Wiener Linien for over 30 years. She has worked in the subway system, in operations, and in the former control center at Karlsplatz. Since 2013, she has been part of the ticket inspection team - and has found her calling:“I truly love this job. I genuinely enjoy coming to work.”
Her colleague Peter also took a different career path. He used to work in the office of a tour operator, but for the past 15 years, he has been out on the network as a ticket inspector. “I can’t imagine going back to a desk job,” he says with a laugh. “I’d feel completely boxed in.”
More Than Inspections: Creating a Positive Environment
Many people have a clear image of ticket inspection: staff board a vehicle, check tickets, and move on. In reality, the role is far more varied. Petra and Peter are on the move throughout Vienna every day, switching between lines, vehicles, and stations - interacting with thousands of passengers along the way.
“You need a good sense for situations,” Peter explains. “Sometimes a quick reminder is enough, sometimes it takes a longer conversation.” What they both value most is experiencing Vienna in all its diversity. “One moment you’re in Ottakring, the next in the 22nd district, then in the city center — we really see the whole city,” Petra says. That variety is exactly what makes the job so rewarding for her.
They always work as a fixed team: “When you spend eight hours a day together, you need to be able to rely on one another,” Petra explains. “We share the same approach: calm, respectful, and positive. That makes a big difference.”
In their day-to-day work, Petra and Peter regularly encounter situations where consideration is lacking and rules are overlooked. This is where Wiener Linien’s current awareness campaign comes in, promoting more respect and consideration in public transport.
Under the tongue-in-cheek slogan “No shame at all?! No big deal for you - a big issue for others,” the campaign highlights how even small actions can have a significant impact.
“What really bothers me are loud phone calls without headphones or people putting their feet on the seats,” Petra says. But often, it’s not just about courtesy - it’s about safety. She recalls a scooter rider speeding across a crowded platform who nearly knocked her over. She stopped him and explained how dangerous that behavior can be.
“Someone could easily fall onto the tracks,” she says. “It’s not just about you - it’s about everyone.”
Being a ticket inspector is not something you learn overnight. Initial training takes several months, covering the entire network, ticketing systems, as well as the rules and conditions of carriage. But more important than technical knowledge is the right mindset. “A certain level of optimism helps a lot,” Peter says. Not every interaction is easy. “You can’t take things too personally.
”Petra agrees: “I don’t take anything personally anymore.” What matters most to her is treating everyone equally: “It doesn’t matter who is standing in front of me - whether a construction worker or a doctor. Everyone has to follow the same rules so that public transport works well for all of us.”
Peter often notices that many issues arise simply from a lack of awareness.“People are often distracted and don’t even realize they’re bothering others.” That’s why we focus on communication rather than confrontation: “If I just say ‘That’s not allowed,’ it doesn’t achieve much,” Peter explains. “If I explain why a rule matters, most people understand.”
Petra sums it up: “If everyone showed just a little more consideration, life would be better for everyone. Working together always beats working against each other.”
Despite the challenges, there are also many positive moments in their daily work. “You’d be surprised how often people thank us,” Petra says. Moments like these show that respect in public transport goes both ways. “In the end, we all want the same thing,” Peter adds. “To get from A to B safely.” And that’s exactly what Petra and Peter work towards every day - across Vienna’s public transport network.
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