After 9-euro ticket: transport association in NRW increases prices significantly
Created: 09/16/2022, 17:03
By: Johanna Werning
Bus and train travel is becoming more expensive - at least in the VRR area.
The transport association in NRW has announced a price increase of 3.9 percent for January 2023.
Cologne/Gelsenkirchen – In August, bus and train travel was not only cheap, the jungle of tickets for the individual transport associations was also clear – both thanks to the 9-euro ticket.
But that ended on September 1st.
The individual ticket prices?
Again significantly more expensive.
The successor to the 9-euro ticket?
Still unclear.
Now there is at least a development in the VRR area.
However, passengers are likely to be anything but enthusiastic about this: Because instead of a price reduction, there is a hefty tariff increase for ticket prices in public transport, reports 24RHEIN.
The VRR is increasing its ticket prices (symbol image).
© Roland Weihrauch/dpa
After 9-euro ticket: VRR raises ticket prices – 3.9% more per ticket
"Increasing costs mean that there is a considerable need for additional financing in local transport," explains the VRR (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr) the step.
It was decided to increase the ticket prices by an average of 3.9 percent - and that as early as January 1, 2023. The ticket prices in the VRR area were actually increased this year.
ticket | Price current | Price from 2023 |
|---|---|---|
Single ticket price category K (adult) | 1.80 euros | 1.90 euros |
4-ticket price level K (adult) | 6.30 euros | 6.60 euros |
Schokoticket (student monthly ticket) | 38 euros | 39.40 euros |
Bärenticket (senior monthly ticket) | 92.90 | 97.10 euros |
According to the VVR, the renewed price increase was nevertheless necessary due to the rising operating and personnel costs.
“The additional annual financing requirement alone to secure the range of services in the network area amounts to 500 million euros.
The price adjustment planned for the coming year is well below the current general inflation rate.
VRR: Tickets are getting more expensive - what does that mean for the 9-euro successors?
And what does that mean for the potential successors of the 9-euro ticket?
“Verband is of course keeping an eye on the current discussion about another nationwide collective bargaining initiative when making collective bargaining decisions.
However, as long as the federal and state governments have not yet reached an agreement, we will make formal decisions,” says José Luis Castrillo, VRR board member.
This also applies to the climate ticket.
“Once the general conditions are set, we will examine our portfolio from the ground up.
The VRR will also ensure that all local transport customers benefit from the further tariff initiative of the federal government," says Castrillo.
"The prerequisite, however, is that federal and state funds are made available at the same time for the significant increases in expenses and loss of income."
VRR (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr): area of the transport association
► The VRR area includes 16 urban districts and seven districts.
► Cities that are in the VRR area:
Bochum, Bottrop, Dortmund, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Hagen, Herne, Krefeld, Mönchengladbach, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Oberhausen, Remscheid, Solingen, Wuppertal
► Districts that are in the VRR area:
Ennepe-Ruhr district, Kleve district, Mettmann district, Recklinghausen, Rhein-Neuss district, Viersen district, Wesel district
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VRR increases prices - and demands funds from the state and federal government
Until then, however, the tariff increase that will apply from January will apply by an average of 3.9 percent.
Because "the VRR sees the existing traffic increasingly endangered.
In order to be able to maintain the transport offer for the coming year, the users will have to make a contribution to financing the offer of the companies in the current situation," says the company based in Gelsenkirchen.
However, the price increase alone is not enough.
"Additional significant financial resources from the federal and state governments are required," demands the VRR.
This is the only way the offer can be maintained in the long term.
"Against the background of the precarious financial situation in public transport, the VRR committees are therefore calling on the federal government and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia again to agree on additional financial resources for local transport in the short term with regard to the increase in energy costs and other expenses." announced price increases.
(jw)