Local transport: Federal Environment Agency for inexpensive public transport annual ticket

The authority considers the introduction of a permanently inexpensive annual ticket in local public transport (ÖPNV) based on the Austrian model to be possible. “The idea of ​​having a flat rate for public transport in Germany in the form of a Germany ticket is attractive, and the example of the climate ticket in Austria shows how it could work,” said UBA traffic expert Katrin Dziekan. “However, this would be associated with considerable costs, for which adequate financing must be ensured.”

In Austria, the so-called climate ticket has allowed the use of all trains and buses throughout the country since October 2021 and costs 1095 euros for one year. The ticket is intended to ensure that more people switch to buses and trains and that there are fewer traffic jams, exhaust gases and CO2 emissions.

Dziekan said that the nine-euro ticket has put public transport back at the center of the discussion as a “sustainable mobility alternative”. “A simple tariff for the whole of Germany, which lowers the entry hurdle and is unbeatably inexpensive, is well received.”

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At Pentecost, shortly after the start of the nine-euro ticket, many trains were so full that passengers could no longer get on or at least not take their bicycles with them. Nevertheless, the railway drew a largely positive balance of the weekend.

Counter-financing with funds from the reduction of environmentally harmful subsidies

In order to support a permanent change, however, “an attractive public transport with competitive travel times, high frequency, accessibility and high quality” is needed, emphasized the UBA expert.

So that the offer can be further expanded, investments must be made in infrastructure and vehicles. In addition, rising energy prices would have an impact on costs. Therefore, there is no way around “long-term sufficient financing”.

>> Also read here: Missing rails, high price jumps: why the railway industry is afraid of its existence

According to Dziekan, the funds for this could come from the reduction of environmentally harmful subsidies. In 2018, these would have amounted to more than 30 billion euros in the transport sector. “It is estimated that this sum would cover half of the operating costs of buses and trains in Germany,” she said.

The Lower Saxony climate protection minister Olaf Lies (SPD) sees no alternative to a permanently cheap solution for local transport. “I thought it would be adventurous just to go back to Los. Then the three months with the nine-euro ticket would be for the wastepaper basket,” he said.

Olaf Lies

The Lower Saxony climate protection minister Olaf Lies (SPD) sees no alternative to a permanently cheap solution for local transport.

(Photo: imago images/photo booth)

If the results of the accompanying research are evaluated in autumn and a system for permanently cheap local transport is proposed by the end of the year, the time gap between the nine-euro ticket and a permanently cheap offer can be kept short.

>> Also read here: Train instead of plane: Where the night train in Germany is an alternative

With regard to the financing, the minister said: “If the promotion of the purchase of electric cars is worth two billion euros to us, then the promotion of public transport should be worth several times that.” This is also the test of whether the traffic turnaround is worth it towards more public transport seriously.

The necessary funding depends on the design of a new system. “As states, we would certainly have to do our part, for example by introducing a state-wide ticket for one euro per day, which will benefit all schoolchildren, trainees and volunteers.” At the same time, the federal government would then have to supplement the offer for all citizens and provided with permanent funding.

Wissing: “People don’t live in tariff zones”

Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) is aiming for far-reaching improvements for more attractive public transport. From his point of view, the offer should be more understandable, more uniform and more customer-friendly.

Wissing also advocated practical local transport apps and simpler tariffs. “We have to seize the opportunity to get more people excited about public transport,” said the FDP politician. In addition, small-scale organizational structures would have to be broken up. “People don’t live in tariff zones. People want to get from A to B.”

The federal states are constantly demanding more regionalization funds from the federal government, with which they or transport associations can order local transport services from providers. However, Wissing initially urges reforms. “The analysis of the nine-euro ticket will give us clear indications of where we need to go,” he said.

Nine-euro monthly tickets for buses and trains

Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) is aiming for far-reaching improvements for more attractive local public transport.

(Photo: dpa)

The Association of Towns and Municipalities is already in favor of offering a nationwide cheap public transport ticket with unlimited validity even after the nine-euro ticket, which is limited to three months, has expired.

Consumer advocates also see a need for action. The interim head of the Federal Association of Consumers (VZBV), Jutta Gurkmann, said, “in order to strengthen public transport and keep passengers permanently, cheap ticket prices are important”.

Local cheap annual tickets are also possible

In Austria there are also regional annual tickets for individual federal states, such as the 365-euro ticket in Vienna, with which customers only pay one euro per day for the use of local transport. If counter-financing is secured, the Federal Environment Agency considers this offer also conceivable for cities in Germany.

In Vienna, the ticket was financed, among other things, by a change in parking space management and increased prices for single tickets, explained UBA expert Dziekan. “In addition, user financing, such as that used for a semester ticket, can be a good approach.”

At the local level, so-called third-party financing is also an option. This means, for example, that the employer subsidizes funds for a stop in front of his company or that the landlord also hands over a public transport ticket with the rental agreement.

More: “We’re pissed off because nothing works”: The German rail network is on the verge of collapse

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