The 9-euro ticket has fueled the debate about a nationwide offer for a cheap ticket for bus and train. Several options for a follow-up ticket are currently being discussed. The federal SPD, for example, has brought a nationwide 49-euro ticket into play, and the Greens want to add a regional monthly ticket for 29 euros. The Association of German Transport Companies (VDV), in turn, had spoken out in favor of a 69-euro ticket. Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) initially called for a simplification of the tariff structures – but also advocated another ticket without giving details.
While the debate about a Germany-wide ticket is still ongoing, individual federal states and transport companies have already announced their own successor solutions. What models and promotions are there?
District of Lüchow-Dannenberg as a pioneer
The Lüchow-Dannenberg district in Lower Saxony is the first district to offer a 365-euro ticket from September. The bus lines in the district can thus be used for a year. This makes the municipality one of a dozen model regions for public transport in Germany. She receives federal funding for this.
In the district of Kehl in Baden-Württemberg, the 9-euro ticket will be extended for two months until the end of October. However, it only applies to the "KEXI" "on-demand" offer, with which local public transport is possible by bus on demand.
Berlin wants a regional ticket from October
In the capital Berlin, the 9-euro ticket is to be replaced, at least temporarily, by a regional variant for the months of October to December, according to the Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey. According to RBB, there will be a technical discussion with representatives of the state of Brandenburg, the Berlin transport company and the Berlin-Brandenburg transport association on Thursday. There is no information yet on the price of the new ticket.
The financing is still unclear. According to estimates, a three-month nine-euro ticket for the Berlin fare zone alone could require state subsidies of around 300 million euros.
NRW expands weekend offer for subscriptions
In North Rhine-Westphalia, after the nationwide 9-euro ticket has expired, public transport customers can use a nationwide weekend ticket throughout the state free of charge if they have a subscription ticket from one of the local transport associations. The promotion is valid until the end of October.
On weekends, public holidays and in the autumn holidays, subscription card holders can use the entire NRW local transport system during this period. The ticket is then valid for two adults and up to three children – or for two adults and up to two bicycles. It is also valid for trains on some routes to Osnabrück, Rhineland-Palatinate and the Netherlands.
One month free Flex subscription in Hamburg
In Hamburg, the Hamburger Verkehrsverbund (HVV) wants to retain customers with a “flex subscription”, among other things. If you don't have a subscription yet and take out one by mid-September, you can travel for free until the end of the month. The subscription price is not due until October 1st.
In addition, existing subscription customers can use the entire HVV area on weekends and weekdays from 11 a.m. in September, regardless of the area of validity of their tickets. You can take one additional person and 3 children between the ages of 6 and 14 with you.
A new 5-day pass is being introduced in Hamburg at a price of EUR 29.50 (for the Hamburg AB fare zones). This means that HVV customers can save 23 percent compared to buying five individual day tickets.
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