The nine-euro ticket is extremely popular, but an extension depends on the money: while the federal states see the federal government as responsible, Transport Minister Wissing waves it off. Meanwhile, Berlin is planning to go it alone for the cheap tariff, at least for the city area.
Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing wants to stick to his “timetable” despite heated discussions about a successor regulation for the nine-euro ticket and the future of local public transport. The FDP politician said in Berlin that he had set up a working group in the spring that should first clarify “structural issues” and present the results. He wanted to talk about content first, then about money.
At a special conference in the morning, the transport ministers of the federal states had asked for a lot more money for public transport; They also see the federal government as having an obligation to finance a successor to the nine-euro ticket. Wissing called this result “disappointing”: the citizens expected that solutions would be presented and not that responsibility would be shifted. Local transport is actually a matter for the federal states.
Wissing offered the states “constructive talks” about how public transport could become more attractive. The Federal Transport Minister repeated that he saw opportunities in digitization: “Ticketing can be made easier.” That also saves money. He resists “leaving everything as it is” and pushing more money into the system. “Let’s not think from the supply side, but from the demand side,” said Wissing. It must be clarified what motivated people to switch to public transport.
In view of skyrocketing energy costs, the conference of transport ministers called for the federal government to contribute more to the costs of local public transport in the billions in the morning. The funds would have to be increased by 3.15 billion this year and next and then by 1.5 billion euros annually, the ministers said after a special video conference. The current financing of public transport by the federal government is insufficient. The conference of transport ministers also called on the federal government to “promptly submit a viable and sustainable proposal for the successor to the nine-euro ticket”. The federal government must “acknowledge its full responsibility for financing” and also secure it permanently.
With a nationwide demonstration and day of action, an initiative wants to protest nationwide on Saturday for an extension of the nine-euro ticket. The continuation is more important than ever, not least because of rising energy prices and inflation, explained the initiative “Continue driving nine-euro tickets”. The alliance called for “a seamless connection solution” for the ticket, which expires at the end of August, and which allows travel nationwide in local and regional transport for nine euros a month.
The initiative includes the Attac campaign network and participants from environmental organizations, trade unions and youth organizations from the SPD, Greens and Left. The alliance is also supported by celebrities such as the musician Konstantin Wecker or the political activist Carola Rackete. According to the initiative’s website, around 40 campaigns were planned in cities nationwide on Friday – including in the major cities of Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt am Main, Cologne and Stuttgart. This included demonstrations and information stands.
In order to relieve the citizens in view of the massive price increases, the Berlin SPD wants to extend the nine-euro ticket single-handedly. As the RBB learned from party circles, the inexpensive public transport offer should apply in Berlin beyond the end of August until the end of the year. The SPD proposal envisages offering the nine-euro ticket in the AB fare zone by the end of the year. However, unlike the previous ticket, the heavily discounted monthly ticket would not be valid beyond the city limits of Berlin.