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Regional train pulls into Hamburg Central Station: "Not everyone has a smartphone"
Photo: Daniel Bockwoldt / dpa
This year, the 49-euro ticket is to succeed the 9-euro ticket from last summer – but a possible start date is being pushed further and further back.
Recently, it even seemed questionable whether the latest date of May 1st announced by Wissing could be met.
Because numerous fundamental questions about the ticket have not yet been clarified.
This includes whether the ticket is also offered in paper form.
Bavaria, for example, rejects the plans of Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing to only offer the ticket digitally.
"Not everyone has a smartphone, that applies to older people as well as to small school children," said Bavaria's Minister of Transport Christian Bernreiter (CSU) to the "Münchner Merkur".
There is a demand from the federal states to also offer paper tickets at least temporarily.
"We cannot exclude those who are not yet digitally fit," Saarland Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger (SPD) told the "RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland" (Saturday).
Schaefer accuses Wissing of blocking the issue.
Schaefer and Müller made it clear that the introduction of a purely digital ticket for bus and train operators is a tour de force by pointing out that a paper ticket will help smaller transport companies that cannot quickly switch to digital tickets.
However, the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) emphasizes: “The industry would be ready to go by May 1st.”
FDP: Smartphone is not a prerequisite for digital tickets
The FDP parliamentary group in Baden-Württemberg meanwhile recalls the basic idea behind the ticket.
"There are clear agreements between the Federal Chancellor and the heads of government of the federal states," said the FDP traffic expert Christian Jung.
»There it is undoubtedly 'digital' and 'Germany-wide'.
You should stick to these and make the preparations quickly.« In addition, you do not have to have a smartphone, but can get a chip card, as is known from bank cards or the Bahncard.
"Mr. Wissing often says that the Germany ticket should start soon, but he still owes a lot of answers," continued CSU man Bernreiter.
The federal government has not yet finally clarified the questions of state aid law with the EU Commission.
Bremen's mobility senator Maike Schaefer (Greens) warned on Saturday that the start on May 1st was in acute danger.
Detailed questions are therefore still unresolved, Wissing is blocking the implementation, said Bremen Senator Schaefer.
The Federal Ministry of Transport, on the other hand, recently stated that the states and transport companies responsible for public transport are primarily responsible for the implementation of the ticket.
The Greens in Baden-Württemberg also blame Wissing for the delays.
"It's not up to us states that the 49-euro ticket is delayed," said Baden-Württemberg's Minister of Transport Winfried Hermann of the "Süddeutsche Zeitung".
"We are surprised that the Federal Transport Minister is not making any progress with the preparations." Wissing himself originally wanted to introduce the Germany-wide ticket for buses and trains at the turn of the year.
The countries are ready, the transport associations too.
Last summer, millions of passengers used the 9-euro ticket during the three-month campaign.
As a permanent successor, a nationwide ticket for 49 euros per month for buses and trains in local and regional transport is planned.
It is intended as a subscription.
Depending on the region, subscribers can also take children, dogs or bicycles with them.
In the autumn, the transport ministers had aimed for an introduction in January, but the preparations are dragging on.
ani/dpa