Sunday, August 7, 2022

That 9-Euro Ticket

 In three weeks, this 9-Euro a month Bahn ticket will 'end'.....unless there is a replacement gimmick.

The current deal?  Since 1 June, for some Covid-gift for the public....you can buy a single ticket for the month, for rail and bus travel (with the exception of the ICE or high-speed trains).  

The only negatives?  Most people will tell you the trains are overly crowded, and late trains are now 'normal'.  Adding to the burden, the federal government had to pay several billion to cover losses.

This weekend, there's been a lot of chatter over the replacement idea.  Most state governments in Germany want something to continue.....maybe more than the 9-Euro, but having the federal government pay at least 50-percent of the cost factor.  

There are three tickets being discussed.  One is the 365-Euro per year ticket....the second is the monthly 69-Euro ticket, and the last being a 29-Euro a month ticket.  Each would require some 'help' from the federal government.

Here in Hessen (my state)....they've run a school-kid deal.....365 Euro for a year ticket....getting you from your house to any school that you attend.  Note....it's only for kids, and ICE high speed rail is usually not an option.

Why the push?  There is some belief that the ticket will get people off the streets and autobahns.  The general belief....out of 83-million in population....around 21 million Germans bought/used the 9-Euro tickets (however, this includes the folks who had the yearly tickets already).

My general argument is that in urbanized areas....it made sense.  In rural areas....it didn't help anyone much.  

No comments: