The transport industry is in the starting blocks. Will the planned cheap summer ticket for buses and trains throughout the country now finally get the green light?
The last political hurdle for the 9-euro monthly tickets for buses and trains in summer: The Federal Council can clear the way on Friday (9.30 a.m.) for the special campaign to start on June 1st. The Chamber of States makes the final decision on funding.
According to the law passed by the Bundestag the evening before, the federal government is to provide, among other things, 2.5 billion euros to compensate for loss of income. There had been several calls from the federal states for more money in general for local public transport (ÖPNV). If the Federal Council agrees, sales will start this Monday.
Special tickets only for June, July and August
In June, July and August, the special tickets are intended to enable travel throughout Germany in local and regional transport – for 9 euros a month each, which is much cheaper than normal monthly tickets. In addition to providing relief because of the high energy prices, it should also be a trial campaign to attract more passengers and encourage them to switch from their cars. The 9-euro ticket is therefore a “huge opportunity” for climate-friendly mobility, explained Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) at the final plenary debate on Thursday evening. From his point of view, the project is already a success: “All of Germany is talking about local public transport.”
Green parliamentary group leader Katharina Dröge told the German Press Agency: “For the people who are in need of relief right now in view of the high costs, it is important that the 9-euro ticket comes into force on June 1st.” She would be happy if the Federal Council cleared the way for a quick start. “We hope that as many people as possible will take up this offer.”
Bus and train operators are ready
Providers in the starting blocks: Weeks ago, bus and train operators and associations began adding the new offer to ticket machines, websites and apps. “All companies have signaled to us that they are technically ready and that we can start,” said the Berlin-Brandenburg transport association. The majority of providers – including Deutsche Bahn – want to activate sales on Monday. Some start on Saturday. Some providers have already sold the first thousand tickets, and sales in Hamburg are scheduled to begin on Friday.
relieve millions of people
The general course: The ticket should also relieve millions of people who do not drive from the price increases resulting from the Ukraine war. That is basically a good approach, said the traffic expert of the Federal Government for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND), Jens Hilgenberg, of the dpa. It is more important, however, that the federal government provides significantly more money for better offers in the area in the long term. “Thanks to the 9-euro ticket, no additional bus drives in rural areas.” But it is precisely there that alternatives to your own car should be significantly strengthened, said Hilgenberg.
Cost brakes for motorists too: At the same time, the coalition is also planning for June to August to reduce fuel costs by reducing energy tax to the minimum specified under EU law. The tax rate for petrol is to be reduced by almost 30 cents and for diesel by 14 cents. At the same time, the tax burden is reduced even further – because value added tax is of course no longer due on the omitted part of the energy tax. As confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Finance, the total tax relief is 35.2 cents per liter of petrol and 16.7 euros per liter of diesel.
Source: Stern
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