Munich (dpa / lby) – Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) does not completely rule out co-financing of the planned follow-up offer for the 9-euro ticket. “I’m not closing myself off from the start,” said Söder on Tuesday after a cabinet meeting in Munich. However, he sees “little chances at the moment that it can be taken over so easily,” added the CSU boss.
The traffic light coalition is aiming for a nationwide successor to the 9-euro ticket for local transport, in the price range of 49 to 69 euros per month. The federal government wants to subsidize 1.5 billion euros if the states pay at least as much.
In principle, if the federal government wants a successor solution, it must also say how this should work, demanded Söder. “By the way, with 1.5 billion times two you don’t get a particularly large ticket structure.” The majority of the state transport ministers are reluctant because relief is needed for rural areas in particular. In addition, the costs for the existing local public transport system are increasing exponentially due to high energy prices and inflation. “That means the deficits will be huge.”
“We listen to everything, we also talk about it,” said Söder. He called the style of the federal government, which had proposed the successor offer without consulting the federal states, unacceptable – according to the motto “take it or leave it”. And it will only work if the federal government also increases its regionalization funds for local public transport, emphasized Söder. “Because we have a high demand, especially in rural areas.” Electrification is needed in large parts of Bavaria, accessibility and intervals need to be improved, and support is needed for the second trunk line in Munich. “So the ticket isn’t the top priority there. But we’re not closing ourselves off from the start.”
