The 9-euro ticket for the train comes just at the holiday season. Holiday regions and excursion areas are preparing for an onslaught. This brings back bad memories for the Bahn workforce.
A seat on the aisle floor was a godsend – others didn’t even make it onto the crowded trains. The train sometimes had to leave hundreds behind on the platforms.
That was in 1995 when the weekend ticket came along: for 15 Deutschmarks, up to five people can travel throughout Germany in the Regio. Jens Schwarz experienced the onslaught – and is reminiscent of the chaos today. Because from the point of view of the highest railway works council, the planned 9-euro ticket could soon bring similar problems.
Between worry and “huge opportunity”
“We fear congested stations, especially at small stations,” warned Schwarz. People crowding the platforms, trains that can’t leave on time, scuffles – such pictures would backfire, Deutsche Bahn workers’ representatives fear. The large field test for more train journeys instead of car journeys might have failed.
“We see the 9-euro ticket as a huge opportunity to promote environmentally friendly public transport,” assures Schwarz for the employees. “We will do everything to make it a success.” But trains, tracks, staff – everything is scarce. And it’s only four weeks until launch. Pentecost is considered a dress rehearsal.
ADAC: “Great thing”
In June, July and August you can travel by rail for 9 euros per month in local and regional transport, provided the political decisions are taken in good time. With the project, the coalition wants to relieve commuters of the high fuel costs. At the same time, the taster offer is intended to whet the appetite for leaving the car permanently. Even the ADAC speaks of a “super thing” in the newspapers of the Funke media group.
The 9-euro ticket also puts people in a good mood in German holiday and excursion regions: “The offer is particularly attractive for day tourists and a good opportunity to explore your own environment in an environmentally friendly way by bus and regional train,” said Norbert Kunz, Managing Director of the German Tourist Board, with “We assume that many day travelers in particular will leave their car and change trains.”
Programmed delays and conflicts
Whether it’s Lake Constance, Sauerland or Rügen – wherever trains go to the mountains or to the sea, rail workers’ representatives expect problems. Platforms are too short for longer trains, single-track connections often do not tolerate additional journeys, and there is a lack of staff at small stations to direct people. If a group of cyclists then squeezes into the train, the delay is programmed.
And the conflicts: “It could become an increased security risk if increased passenger numbers meet resource problems,” explained Gerd Galdirs, head of the works council at DB Sicherheit. Shorter trains, failures, missing toilets, heat, thunderstorms and “people with a very short fuse” – more professional security personnel are needed for this mixed situation.
The transport associations that order regional train journeys from DB and others for states and municipalities see the challenge. “The transport authorities are currently preparing action plans together with the transport companies to enable staff reinforcements and additional vehicle capacities during the campaign period – with a special focus on weekends and tourist regions,” says the Federal Association of Rail Transport.
Action costs the federal government 2.5 billion euros – at least
The federal government is financing the campaign with 2.5 billion euros. It is important that the money for the 9-euro ticket arrives on time at the venue, explained General Manager Frank Zerban. And that any additional costs, such as for staff, will be reimbursed against proof. Such details of the ticket will be an issue at the transport ministers’ conference this Wednesday and Thursday.
From the point of view of environmental associations, the field test is not enough, as they announced. Public transport is already reaching its capacity limits in rush hour traffic in large cities as well as in excursion traffic at weekends. In order to double the public transport offer by 2030, ten to twelve billion euros are needed annually, a total of 100 billion euros. “The 9-euro ticket is a first step in this direction.”
The North Sea island of Sylt sees the expected rush on the busy railway line with some concern. Those responsible appeal to travelers to avoid off-peak times if possible. Wouldn’t it have been better to wait for the time after the summer holidays? “No. We want to relieve the citizens quickly, »says a handout from the Federal Ministry of Transport. When asked about an overload, it refers to the countries. They had demanded that the ticket be valid nationwide. “The federal government assumes that the traffic will be organized accordingly.”
Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
