Are overcrowded trains becoming even more crowded, is there "overkill"?
Or are many people discovering the possibilities offered by a BRB train for the first time?
In just over a week, from June 1st, the nine-euro ticket will take effect.
The BRB looks forward to the experiment with very mixed feelings - and has tips in store.
Holzkirchen
– Sales have started, and the nine-euro ticket will be available in a few days.
The traffic light coalition wants to strengthen public transport in the summer months from June to August and relieve citizens of mobility costs.
Being able to use all regional trains, trams and buses for only nine euros a month - not a few citizens should use that for a trip to the beautiful Oberland.
The Bavarian Regiobahn (BRB), which is based in Holzkirchen, is expecting a hot summer.
"We don't know exactly what's in store for us," says Managing Director Arnulf Schuchmann, "but we are well prepared." make adjustments as needed,” says Schuchmann.
Many people in charge of regional railways in Germany who have attractive tourist destinations on offer feel like Schuchmann.
"We are in a dilemma," says the BRB boss.
On the one hand, the attempt by politicians to provide financial relief for citizens and to get more people on the rails is to be welcomed.
"But the challenge for the BRB is great." Because the hotspots on the mountains, lakes and coast are already in demand, many trains are already overcrowded.
Using more trains is often not technically possible
Behind the scenes, the offer and the implementation were worked on for a long time.
The devil is in the details.
Agreements had to be made with network partners, machines had to be converted, and the website constantly updated.
Customers asked about the arrangement with their subscriptions.
And again and again the question of whether trains can run more often or train parts can be attached.
"We drive the trains that we have," explains Arnulf Schuchmann in a BRB press release.
However, if the platform length is too short for another part of the train, none can be attached.
"We can't let our passengers get off in the track bed." The problem on the Oberland routes: They are mostly single-track and offer no alternative options for trains from both directions.
This makes it impossible to drive tighter clocks.
That could be a problem, especially on the upcoming Pentecost weekend, fears at the BRB headquarters in Holzkirchen.
"For weeks, many BRB employees have spent a large part of their working day pondering the effects of the 9-euro ticket," says Schuchmann.
Making the final political decision a week before the planned start, "it won't be any closer soon," said the BRB boss.
"If everyone drives, I don't drive"
One thing is clear: If you use your nine-euro ticket cleverly, you can not only roll cheaply, but also relaxed at Schliersee, Tegernsee or in the Isarwinkel.
The BRB has answered the most important questions on its website.
And with a bit of humour, Schuchmann's colleagues even formulated snappy slogans to control the flow of passengers, such as "If everyone is driving, I won't drive", "Walk on new paths instead of worn-out paths", "Lace up hiking boots instead of saddle up on the bike".
Also very important: "Don't speculate on the last train in the evening".
For carefree excursions at the weekend, the nine-euro crowd should definitely avoid boarding BRB trains at the following times: Direction Oberland: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Direction Munich: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
In the Chiemgau-Inntal network, those responsible advise: avoid trains in the direction of Salzburg from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., in the direction of Kufstein from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and in the direction of Munich from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
More information on the subject can be found here.
