The 9 euro ticket is a real success. Transport Minister Wissing speaks of “the best idea for rail transport for a very long time” and wants to build on it in the future. He strives for an end to the tariff jungle in Germany.
After the time-limited 9-euro ticket, Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing wants to campaign for a permanent simplification of the fare system in local public transport. “If the complicated tariff zones disappear and the tickets are valid nationwide, local public transport will be used much more,” said the FDP politician of the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”. “We should therefore finally find ways to end the tariff jungle in Germany.”
The experiences with the 9-euro ticket, which runs until the end of August, should therefore first be thoroughly evaluated. “From autumn we will then draw the necessary conclusions,” announced Wissing. The most important lesson he draws from the enthusiasm for the 9-euro ticket is “structural changes are needed.”
The aim of the 9-euro ticket is to relieve people of the high inflation and contribute to climate protection. It entitles buyers to travel throughout Germany on local public transport in June, July and August for 9 euros each.
Wissing called the ticket a “brilliant success” and the “best idea for rail transport in a very long time”. According to the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV), around 21 million special tickets were sold nationwide as of the end of June. In addition, there are 10 million subscribers who automatically receive the discounted ticket. “We have noticeably less traffic on the roads, significantly less traffic jams,” said Wissing. “Apparently many have switched from cars to buses and trains.”
According to the report, Wissing kept a low profile on financing issues. “I can understand that financing local public transport is a major challenge for the federal states,” he told the newspaper. “But it is also clear to everyone that the federal government cannot finance a monthly ticket for 9 euros in the long term. That would be around ten billion euros a year,” said the minister. “I cannot anticipate the budget negotiations here.”