A credit check from the Schufa is required to buy the 49-euro ticket, which could cause difficulties for many people.
But there are alternatives.
Kassel – Train travel should become cheaper from May 2023.
After long debates, the sale of the 49-euro ticket has already started on April 3rd.
With the Germany ticket, rail travelers can travel on all public transport in Germany for 49 euros per month.
In times of inflation and high energy costs, the ticket seems to be worth an investment - it can even be bought cheaper.
However, it is apparently not fully available to all consumers.
Because when you buy the 49-euro ticket from Deutsche Bahn, a credit check is required.
People with a low income or a negative Schufa entry, but also people receiving citizen benefit could therefore have difficulties acquiring the ticket.
Start of the 49-euro ticket | May 1, 2023 |
|---|---|
pre sales | From April 3, 2023 |
scope | Valid for public transport throughout Germany |
Subscription Terms | Monthly cancellable |
Schufa query for the 49-euro ticket: debited by direct debit
Deutsche Bahn only offers the 49-euro ticket as a subscription; the amount is debited monthly by SEPA direct debit.
In order to ensure that the corresponding account is covered for the regular debits, a credit check is carried out by the Schufa.
People with a low Schufa score can be denied the purchase of the Deutschlandticket because they are considered to have a higher risk of non-payment.
"With the credit check, Schufa supports companies such as transport companies or payment service providers in keeping the risk of their customers defaulting on payment as low as possible," says the Schufa homepage.
Schufa score
The Schufa score provides information about the creditworthiness of consumers or a company.
If you have too much debt or don't pay bills on time, your so-called "creditworthiness" suffers.
The Schufa score is also used in the Deutschlandticket app.
49-euro ticket without a Schufa check: transport companies do not carry out a credit check
However, there should be opportunities to purchase the ticket without a corresponding check.
This should be possible for consumers on the deutschlandticket.de website.
The operator, the transport company Transdev, wants to do without a Schufa test.
+
The sale of the 49-euro ticket has started.
However, a credit check by the Schufa is required to take out the subscription via DB.
(icon picture)
© Imago
Since the 49-euro ticket is valid throughout Germany, it doesn't matter which provider travelers buy the ticket from.
When buying via Transdev, there should be no credit check, but the digital ticket will only be sent once the money has been credited to the company's account.
Schufa check for the 49-euro ticket: Alternatives to buying
Political podcasters Philip Banse and Ulf Buermeyer mention another alternative to direct debit.
When paying by credit card, no new Schufa query is started, according to their podcast "Situation of the Nation".
This should also apply to payments via PayPal.
The provider assumes that the creditworthiness has already been checked by the payment institution.
In addition, consumers can purchase the Deutschlandticket in customer offices or service points of the transport associations and companies.
However, not all issuing bodies support all forms of distribution.
A payment would then have to be made directly for a whole year.
Payment options include cash, giro and credit cards.
Anyone who purchases the 49-euro ticket in this way cannot cancel their subscription prematurely.
(hg)
List of rubrics: © Imago
