I had a great time in Perugia until I met one of the bus "cops". I was told by a local that the bus ticket can be used a total of 2 times. I didn't anticipate to even use public transportation as I planned on walking to/from the train station anyway. I ended up giving in and bought a bus ticket from the train station to the hotel because I was tired and had a heavy suitcase. I validated my ticket and less than 10 minutes later, I was at my stop.
I left Perugia less than 2 days later and had with me somewhere in my purse or backpack my ticket that I believed I could use since I didn't use the 2nd entry anyway. Know my bad luck? At my last stop the bus "cop" came on and questioned me. I couldn't find my ticket and was running late for my train. He took me outside as I tried to find my ticket. He spoke zero English. Honestly EVERYONE I met in Italy that deals with tourists knew some conversational English especially those that work in transportation. Eventually I found my ticket and showed him. He got out his pretend cop ticket bag and fined me 30 Euros for an expired ticket.... I tried reasoning with him but he wouldn't listen. A nice woman at the stop was trying to help translating but he wouldn't listen to her either. Saying I was leaving and that I'm an American and not coming back didn't help. Guy was a jerk and took 3 days of my dinner budget away from me. He told me if I didn't pay him he would take me to the police. Keep in mind that the bus pass is only written in Italian and his "pad" didn't even state what the fee was for someone with an expired ticket..... I think I was conned. read more