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Berlin's Governing Mayor Giffey: Temporary solution for October, November and December
Photo: Michele Tantussi / AFP
Berlin is planning a connection solution for the 9-euro ticket financed by the state from October 1st.
How much the new local ticket in public transport (ÖPNV) will cost is still open.
This was announced by the governing mayor Franziska Giffey (SPD) on Friday after a closed meeting of the red-green-red coalition.
Accordingly, Berlin hopes that the federal government will quickly develop and significantly co-finance a simple solution for tariffs in public transport that will apply nationwide from 2023.
Until then, the country wants to implement a temporary solution for the months of October, November and December.
According to Giffey, this is a targeted relief for all Berliners in times of high energy prices and in other areas.
The details of this would now have to be worked out.
How exactly the Berlin solution looks like also depends on the concepts of the federal government, which will hopefully be available soon.
Giffey put the costs for three months at around 300 million euros.
FDP warns of “expensive gimmick”
Immediately before the coalition meeting, Giffey's SPD had proposed a local ticket for 9 euros a month - at least for the AB tariff zone, i.e. the city of Berlin.
Whether such a solution will come is an open question.
The DGB, but also the CDU criticized the initiative.
From their point of view, a Berlin ticket solution without the participation of the neighboring state of Brandenburg, from which many people commute to work in the capital, makes no sense.
The FDP spoke of an "expensive gimmick".
The nationwide valid 9-euro monthly ticket for local transport is available from June to the end of August.
The three-month campaign financed by the federal government was intended to support commuters in view of high energy prices and to promote a switch from cars to buses and trains.
Possible successor models are being discussed controversially in Germany.
Implementation for the month of September is unrealistic due to the lack of time, even at state level.
Giffey pointed out that there were still a number of open questions to be clarified in the state solution planned for October.
Last but not least, there will be talks with the Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg (VBB).
Like Giffey, Greens state chairman Philmon Ghirmai and Linke boss Katina Schubert did not want to commit to a price for the temporary connection ticket.
Berlin usually sets its public transport fares in the joint tariff with Brandenburg.
There is also the VBB, which includes not only the federal states but also the 14 districts and four urban districts of Brandenburg, as well as 36 transport companies.
The tariff is decided by the Supervisory Board.
"Basically, as a transport association for two federal states, we rely on cross-regional solutions for everyone," said a VBB spokesman when asked by the dpa.
The state of Brandenburg would also have to give money for a cross-state local connection ticket.