Last Thursday, October 13, the federal and state governments agreed on a nationwide 49-euro ticket. According to the Association of German Transport Companies, it is to be the successor to the highly successful 9-euro ticket, of which around 52 million have been sold. From 2023 there will be a permanent successor. The most important information at a glance.
The ticket will be valid throughout Germany, just like its predecessor. A subscription that can be canceled monthly. This is intended to relieve commuters in particular. Travelers can also rely on a uniform tariff and no longer need cumbersome price comparisons.
The start of the nationwide 49-euro ticket is planned for January 1, 2023, according to Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP): “The aim is to introduce the ticket as soon as possible – if possible at the turn of the year.”
There is currently a heated debate about this question. Above all, the financing of local transport has remained open. In this regard, the federal states are demanding co-financing via an increase in regionalization funds from Berlin. The money will then be used to order trains and buses.
The federal states also pointed out that because of the high energy costs, offers would otherwise have to be cut. The federal government has agreed to finance the ticket with 1.5 billion euros. The condition: the countries provide the same amount. “After 2 years, the entire package is to be evaluated in terms of its climate, traffic and financial effects,” said the announcement from the Ministry of Transport.
The consumer centers called for greater attention to social aspects. “Local public transport must be affordable for everyone, regardless of income,” said the head of consumer policy at the Federal Association (vzbv), Jutta Gurkmann, of the German Press Agency. Little euro ticket In order to create a real incentive for switching to public transport, the association had called for a 29 euro ticket that can also be bought monthly.
The president of the social association VdK, Verena Bentele, explained that a 29-euro solution would have been a good successor to the 9-euro ticket. “In this way, people with low incomes would still have the opportunity to use public transport inexpensively – be it to visit family and friends or to make important doctor’s appointments.”
From the point of view of the Pro Bahn passenger association, a 49-euro ticket is still too expensive for low-income people. “The watering can principle is not broken with this,” said Pro-Bahn honorary chairman Karl-Peter Naumann of the dpa. “We need a cheaper offer for these people.”
There could be staggered prices in the individual countries. Traffic Senator Bettina Jarasch (Greens) had announced a more differentiated model for Berlin: “There are many people in Berlin who cannot raise 49 euros a month.” Baden-Württemberg Minister Winfried Hermann (Greens) had said a 49-euro ticket would be much cheaper than previous subscriptions in many large areas. Wissing had made it clear that it would make sense to offer previously discounted offers for social reasons based on the 49-euro ticket.
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