Even before the start of the 9-euro ticket, the offer is a bestseller. Probably not least because the offer can also be used on national routes. Unfortunately, things are more complicated than that. Because not all regional trains of Deutsche Bahn can actually be used with the ticket.
Not everyone was immediately enthusiastic about the relief package from the traffic light government to compensate for the sharp rise in energy and fuel prices for the citizens. Accusation: watering can principle, unfair et cetera. The usual. Irrespective of this, the 9 euro ticket included in the package is in high demand. According to Deutsche Bahn (DB), more than a million copies have already been sold via digital channels alone.
But the thing has a catch and is now causing trouble. Because in addition to the cheap use of local public transport by bus, S-Bahn and U-Bahn, ferry and tram, bargain hunters assumed that regional trains could also be used, and then nationwide.
Contrary to what was initially reported, it is now clear that not all DB regional trains can actually be used with the ticket, as was criticized on Twitter before its official start on June 1st.
And indeed: DB admits the limited use on Twitter: “The 9-euro ticket is not valid on trains operated by DB Fernverkehr AG (e.g. ICEs, Intercitys and Eurocitys), even if others Local tickets are valid on long-distance trains.”
According to a report by BR24, the railways have trains operated by DB Regio on the one hand and DB Long-Distance on the other. The regional trains of DB Regio can be used with the 9-euro ticket, but not the regional trains of DB Fernverkehr. Users will find a corresponding note as to whether the 9-euro ticket is valid for the respective regional train or not in the Bahn app when the information about the trains is expanded. According to DB, there is no default setting to only display trains that can be used with the discounted ticket. So users have to make an effort to sift through the small print for correspondingly discounted trains and to see which group company operates the train.
But there seems to be hope. According to DB, negotiations are still ongoing about a possible recognition of the 9-euro ticket in all regional trains.
(This article was first published on Friday, May 27, 2022.)
