Oh Yeah - We're #1

[Alex K]

Here one can buy the long distance ticket on the train.

Here in Los Angeles the police would give you a citation in lieu of a ticket if you tried that.

The system is set up such that you are asked for your ticket with near 100% certainty very early in your ride, so there's really not such a thing as trying to dodge the fare (except if you hide in the bathroom). In places where only spot checks are performed by the personnel, this wouldn't work.