Friday Fun: These Boots Are Made for Transit

"Starting January 16, Berlin transit authority BVG will release its own limited edition line of sneakers, a project that’s the first of its kind anywhere in the world," according to an article by Feargus O'Sullivan.

These shoes have magical powers, doubling as both a transit pass and as a replica of the BVG's system's upholstery. For the former feature, the sneakers include "a fabric version of the annual BVG season ticket," according to O'Sullivan. "That means the wearer gets free travel on subways, trams, trains, buses, and ferries anywhere within Berlin public transit zones A and B— which cover almost all of the city—from January 31st to the end of the year."

The shoes will cost the well-heeled transit aficionado €180 ($215), which represents a steep discount from the normal price of an annual pass, which goes for €728 ($869). That low price might explain why the shoe is being released in extremely small quantities: "Only 500 pairs will be for sale and they’ll only be available at two Berlin shops, which will no doubt see lines round the block before opening."