[Shaanie]

Sure, but presumably because it's not worth the effort to verify rather than an inability to do so, no?

If their priorities change, claiming your phone is out of battery seems unlikely to allow you to avoid a fine.

[nly]

Exactly. It's not like with paper tickets it was any different. If you lost your paper ticket they would either shrug and let you out, or fine you on the spot and let you cancel the fine if you can find and produce the lost ticket later.

Of course, I suppose in 2023 you can always say you have no way to pay the fine without your phone...