Since the beginning of May, it has been possible to travel across the country with the 49-euro ticket. Many passengers enjoy this offer – others have criticism. The transport companies are demanding the expansion of public transport.
According to the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV), the momentum of the Deutschland-Ticket must be used for a high-quality expansion of public transport. The nationwide use of the ticket is also accompanied by expectations that cannot always be met adequately, said VDV President Ingo Wortmann at the annual conference in Leipzig. “Passengers not only buy this ticket because it’s cheap, but also because they want to use it everywhere in Germany.”
The density and quality of local public transport vary greatly across the country. “In the metropolitan areas, we urgently need additional capacity when there is a good supply. And in many rural areas we also urgently need a better supply overall,” emphasized Wortmann.
Up to eleven million ticket subscriptions sold
A good seven weeks after the start, up to eleven million ticket subscriptions were sold, as the VDV announced at its annual conference in Leipzig. According to the current status, around 9.6 million passengers used the Germany ticket in June, and around 9 million in May.
A reliable commitment from politicians for further financing is needed for the coming years, worth around 48 billion euros for the expansion of public transport by 2030 alone, said Wortmann. “Otherwise the industry cannot do its part in the climate change.”
According to the VDV, almost half of the ticket subscriptions (46 percent) were subscribed to by passengers who were already regular customers. In addition, there are around 44 percent new subscribers who have used public transport occasionally or more regularly in the past. The proportion of new customers who have hardly ever taken the bus or train has risen slightly and is currently around eight percent. Eleven percent of non-buyers felt that the ticket price of 49 euros was too expensive, while six percent stated that they could not afford the price.
Successor to the 9-euro ticket
The Deutschlandticket, which is available for 49 euros, was introduced at the beginning of May after a tough struggle between the federal and state governments as the successor to the 9-euro ticket, which was heavily used during the Corona period.
VDV General Manager Oliver Wolff emphasized that the 49 euros are an introductory price that “doesn’t last forever”. “But the price should remain stable for two years.”
Criticism of the ticket sales options has come from the Pro Bahn passenger association. Older people in particular wanted a less bureaucratic alternative. “It was better with the 9-euro ticket. You could simply buy the paper version at the ticket machine,” said Andreas Schröder from the Pro Bahn association of the German press agency. The fact that the ticket can only be purchased online, through travel centers or with the help of the subscription service poses challenges for many and is too complicated, which deters many interested parties from buying.
Digitization was a clear requirement of the federal government, also to reduce costs, said VDV general manager Oliver Wolff. Paper sales are not the future and keeping all sales options open is simply too expensive.
Source: Stern
