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Hackerbrücke S-Bahn station in Munich: The 49-euro ticket would be valid nationwide in all local transport tariff zones
Photo: Nicolas Armer/ dpa
It's a posse in the Deutsche Bahn tariff jungle: Ironically, the technical director of DB Sales, Ralf Gernhold, was caught doing fare evasion - according to his own statements, he had paid the correct fare, but for the wrong ticket.
For him, his involuntary fare evasion is a clear argument for the introduction of a nationwide uniform ticket for local transport, better known as the 49-euro ticket.
Gernhold describes his experience himself on a job portal: According to him, he was out and about in Munich.
He actually lives in Frankfurt am Main, but he doesn't know much about local transport in the Bavarian capital.
With a clear conscience he bought a ticket for 3.90 euros.
During the check it turned out: The price is correct, but Gernhold was in the wrong zone.
He now has to pay an increased final transport fee of 60 euros.
Regional transport companies usually regulate their tariffs themselves. This means that there are regionally different tariff zones or rings.
The system is difficult to understand for people who are new to local transport.
The fine is justified, writes Gernhold.
But he had not acted with illegal intentions, he was able to convince the friendly inspector.
With a nationwide uniform ticket for local transport for all tariff zones, the lapse would not have happened to him.
The digital, nationwide valid ticket is intended for an introductory price of 49 euros per month in a monthly cancellable subscription - that has been decided in principle.
The ticket is the successor to the 9-euro ticket from the summer, which sold millions of times.
It aims to encourage more people to switch from cars to buses and trains.
The transport sector in particular is lagging behind when it comes to climate targets.
Critics complain that the offer must first be expanded, especially in rural areas.
However, the 49-euro ticket, which was originally supposed to come out at the turn of the year, is on the brink.
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