According to the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV), the Germany ticket for monthly 49 euros in local transport will probably not be able to be introduced until May. “The time to start will be May 1st,” said managing director Oliver Wolff of the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” (Tuesday). It wasn’t possible much earlier. There was still a lot to do before everything was administratively regulated Process of tariff approval as an example In addition, the tariff systems of the transport associations would have to be changed.
The 49-euro ticket is also an issue at the transport ministers’ conference on Tuesday. Federal Minister Volker Wissing had set the target for the introduction at the beginning of 2023. It is supposed to be the successor to the 9-euro ticket from the summer.
There is also a dispute about the costs. The general manager of the German Association of Cities, Helmut Dedy, told the “FAZ”: “We think the Germany ticket is a very good idea – but only if it is also seriously financed.” This is not the case. “The federal and state governments are trapped in the symbolism they create,” criticized Dedy. According to today’s forecast, the ticket cannot be financed. Therefore, the municipalities could not get involved in dividing the costs into thirds. VDV General Manager Wolff said: “Three billion euros will not be enough.”
The federal and state transport ministers will also advise on Tuesday about the obligation to wear masks on buses and trains. Bremen, as the presidency state, has submitted an application to abolish the obligation to wear masks in public transport nationwide for the introduction of the planned 49-euro ticket at the beginning of March – if the pandemic situation allows it. The aim is for a uniform approach to be taken by the federal states.
