9-euro ticket: consumer advice center warns - could become a "deterrent offer".

Created: 05/12/2022, 15:08

By: Patricia Huber

The federal and state governments are planning a 9-euro ticket for buses and trains over the summer.

It should also attract new passengers.

But consumer advocates are demanding more than a one-time action.

Berlin - The consumer centers see the planned 9-euro ticket for local public transport (ÖPNV) as an opportunity, but also call for fundamental improvements.

The Federal Association's mobility expert, Marion Jungbluth, told the German Press Agency that the ticket, which is valid nationwide, could act as a "booster for buses and trains".

So far, complicated tariffs have deterred many from switching.

“That is now changing, and public transport is becoming simpler and more consumer-friendly.” The federal government should draw conclusions from this and ensure that essential ticket and transport conditions are finally standardized.

9-euro ticket: consumer center calls for price moratorium for bus and train

Under no circumstances should prices rise shortly after the 9-euro ticket phase due to higher fuel costs, which also affect buses and trains, said Jungbluth.

"Therefore, the federal government must declare a price moratorium for buses and trains until the end of the energy crisis and compensate for the rising costs of public transport." At the same time, the public transport system must also become more efficient.

In June, July and August, the special tickets are intended to enable travel in local and regional transport throughout Germany - for 9 euros a month and therefore much cheaper than normal monthly tickets.

They are part of the traffic light coalition's relief package because of the high energy prices.

At the same time, it should be a taster offer to win more customers for buses and trains.

The federal government finances it by giving the federal states 2.5 billion euros to compensate for loss of income.

The law should be introduced to the Bundestag on Thursday evening.

9-euro ticket: consumer advocate warns of “deterrent offer”

With regard to operational implementation, consumer advocate Jungbluth warned that a lack of capacity could lead to bottlenecks, especially in summer, when consumers shift excursions from cars to buses and trains - and these are already more than full in the summer months and on weekends anyway.

"So the trial offer could become a deterrent offer."

In general, the 9-euro ticket is primarily a necessary compensation for the fuel discount that is also planned, which will solve neither the energy price nor the climate crisis, said Jungbluth.

"Even if the price of petrol falls by 30 cents, the decision should not always be in favor of the car."

The 9-euro ticket is intended to relieve consumers and attract new rail customers.

But exactly the opposite could happen, consumer advocates fear.

© Piero Nigro/Imago

With a view to an import stop for oil from Russia, which will probably only take effect at a later date, she advised reconsidering the timetable.

"It would therefore make sense to postpone it.

Otherwise there is a risk that the relief provided by the 9-euro ticket and the fuel discount will expire exactly when the fuel prices shoot through the roof due to the embargo.” Transport companies could also only increase the offer and increase the frequency in autumn at the earliest.

But that is a necessary prerequisite for a positive driving experience for newcomers to public transport.

9-euro ticket: Linke demands a term until the end of the year

In an application, the left in the Bundestag calls for the 9-euro ticket to be made permanent “until at least the end of this year”.

Because of the planned duration in the summer holidays, the incentive to change in everyday life only partially comes into play.

In this way, really valid insights into the effectiveness of price incentives could be gained.

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The draft law of the coalition factions of SPD, Greens and FDP, which is now being discussed in the Bundestag, regulates the financing of the offer.

It is to be decided on May 19 and one day later in the Federal Council.

Specifically, the "regionalization funds" that countries and associations use to order transport offers from providers are to be increased by 3.7 billion euros: in addition to the 2.5 billion euros for the 9-euro monthly tickets, a further 1.2 billion euros come as compensation for losses due to the corona pandemic.

The federal government is already giving 9.4 billion euros in regionalization funds this year.

In addition, there is another billion from another financial pot.