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Traffic: Wissing relies on Germany job ticket for employees

Traffic: Wissing relies on Germany job ticket for employees

For millions of commuters, commuting to work will soon be cheaper than current bus and train subscriptions. It can still be less than 49 euros a month – if the company participates.

Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing is also relying on more attractive offers for many employees with the 49-euro ticket. The FDP politician told the German Press Agency: “Employers have the opportunity to create additional incentives and provide their employees with the Deutschlandticket as a job ticket. This makes the offer even more interesting for commuters and everyday traffic.”

The aim is for as many people as possible to opt for climate-friendly local transport. The new ticket removes hurdles by making it cheaper, simpler and more digital.

The Deutschlandticket for nationwide local transport is scheduled to start on May 1st at a price of 49 euros per month. As a job ticket, it can only cost employees 34.30 euros. The prerequisite is that companies provide it as a job ticket and give at least 25 percent as a subsidy. Then there will be an additional five percent price reduction until the end of 2024. The Federal Council sealed the financing law for the Deutschlandticket yesterday.

Körzell: The coalition must do its homework

The German Trade Union Confederation spoke of a good idea to offer the new ticket as a job ticket. “That makes it more attractive,” said board member Stefan Körzell of the dpa. Job tickets made an important contribution to the switch from cars to buses and trains.

Whether companies use this opportunity for their employees depends on additional incentives that have to be decided politically. The DGB recommends a permanent job ticket discount of five percent if companies subsidize it with at least 25 percent. The offer as a job ticket must come quickly and across the board.

Körzell added that despite this step forward, the coalition must do its homework to strengthen local and long-distance transport in the long term. “Buses and trains are already jam-packed, especially at peak times, in rural areas the offer is meager and there is a lack of staff everywhere.”

The top priority is therefore to provide enough money for local public transport. That means investing big and raising wages for employees. Employers could make a contribution to this in the current collective bargaining negotiations in the public sector and the railways.

Source: Stern

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