Bundestag votes today on the nine-euro ticket - advance warning of "hopeless overload" in trains
Created: 05/19/2022, 17:05
By: Bettina Menzel
A draft law by the traffic light coalition to finance the nine-euro ticket is due to be voted on in the Bundestag on Thursday (symbol image).
© DROFITSCH/EIBNER/Imago
Parliament will vote on the nine-euro ticket on Thursday.
In the run-up, there was clear criticism - and approval in the Federal Council on Friday is by no means certain.
Berlin - The inflation rate in Germany in April 2022 was 7.4 percent compared to the same month last year.
Among other things, the Ukraine conflict led to price explosions.
In order to cushion the rise in consumer prices, the federal government decided on a relief package.
The nine-euro ticket is part of these measures.
It provides that from June to August citizens can use local transport nationwide for nine euros per month.
On Thursday evening
(May 19)
, the Bundestag is to vote on the corresponding draft law - but there was clear criticism beforehand.
Nine-euro ticket: fears of displeasure with railway staff and overloading of the trains
The Bundestag wants to vote on a draft law by the traffic light coalition on Thursday evening.
It is about the financing of the nine-euro ticket.
The draft provides a total of 3.7 billion euros for financing local public transport (ÖPNV), with 1.2 billion euros flowing into the public transport rescue package, which is intended to compensate for loss of income due to Corona and higher energy costs.
2.5 billion euros are planned for the nine-euro ticket, which is the predicted difference to the conventional ticket price.
That doesn't go far enough for critics.
With the promised 2.5 billion euros, the states would only get there if there were no additional trains - but then there would be a hopeless overload, said Pro-Bahn honorary president Karl-Peter Naumann to the
Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung
.
"The transport companies really have to get everything that can be driven onto the rails within the three months." In general, Naumann sees potential in the ticket - but there is a risk of "snapping and stinging" at popular destinations.
The federal government must also support the states with the foreseeable additional costs for additional trains and personnel, take over the corona compensation in full and grant aid for the increased diesel prices for public transport buses.
"It's not about billions, but about millions," the pro-Bahner continued.
The railway and transport union (EVG) also fears that the trains will be overloaded - and that this will cause resentment towards railway staff.
The deputy EVG chairman Martin Burkert warned the
Augsburger Allgemeine
about "anger and frustration on the part of passengers about delays, overcrowded trains or the clearing of platforms".
More offers and more staff are needed to handle the rush.
Nine-euro ticket discussion: Without long-term improvements in local transport, there is a risk of tariff increases after the summer
The nine-euro ticket has been available in the Stuttgart transport association since May 13, and with Deutsche Bahn from Monday (May 23).
Nevertheless, it is not yet clear whether it will really happen, because the ticket must also receive a majority in the vote in the Bundesrat on Friday.
But some states, such as Bavaria or Baden-Württemberg, are opposed to this.
They want more money from the federal government.
According to the argument, the traffic light coalition agreement promised “structural improvements” in local transport.
Without more money, the state government of Baden-Württemberg, for example, fears significant tariff increases after the favorable summer.
Numerous other voices are also calling for the implementation of long-term measures in local transport.
Bavaria's Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter (CSU), for example, said that the higher energy prices for the transport companies had to be taken into account.
"If the federal government believes that it can be applauded on the back of the federal states for a three-month consolation patch and that others should foot the bill, then it has made a huge mistake," said Bernreiter.
also read
Ukraine rejects ceasefire and makes final demands on Russia
Ukraine trouble over Germany: Zoff between Kuleba and Lambrecht becomes public – "Really angry"
An alliance of trade unions, social and environmental organizations also called for “fundamental and long-term improvements” in local transport on Thursday.
The Pro Bahn passenger association called on Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) to “put it one step further” in the financing of local public transport.
The alliance of associations, including the German Federation of Trade Unions, the Social Association Germany and the BUND, said the ticket could “only achieve short-term, financial effects”.
However, there was a lack of "long-term impulses" for socially and environmentally compatible mobility".
Improvements are also necessary in terms of barrier-free access and the offer in the country
(AFP/bm)
.
