From January Next Year, '49 Euro Ticket' Expected to Become Permanent
Follow-up Measure to the 9 Euro Ticket That Achieved Great Success Amid High Inflation
Germany is expected to make the nationwide unlimited local public transportation pass available year-round from January next year at 49 euros (approximately 68,000 won). The photo shows citizens moving at a subway station in Pankow, Berlin, Germany. [Image source=Pixabay]
[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Germany is expected to make unlimited public transportation passes permanent starting January next year. This follows the previously introduced temporary 9-euro (approximately 12,000 KRW) ticket, with the new model priced at 49 euros (approximately 68,000 KRW).
According to EURACTIV, a European specialized media outlet, on the 14th (local time), German Transport Minister Volker Wissing and the transport ministers of the 16 federal states agreed on this during a two-day meeting of the federal government and the 16 states' transport ministers held in Bremerhaven the day before.
This measure is interpreted as being prepared based on the success of the 9-euro ticket introduced over the past three months. The 9-euro ticket was a groundbreaking policy by the German government allowing unlimited use of public transportation such as subways and buses nationwide for just 9 euros per month. Priced affordably, this ticket received explosive support as it eased household burdens amid high inflation.
In fact, about 52 million tickets were sold during the temporary period from June to August when the 9-euro ticket was introduced. Including annual pass purchasers, it means that every adult aged 18 and over in Germany bought one at least once. According to a survey conducted by the German Transport Association and Deutsche Bahn (DB), 88% of ticket users expressed satisfaction with the ticket.
Following the successful conclusion of this groundbreaking policy, Germany has begun preparing a follow-up model. One of these is the 49-euro ticket, which allows unlimited use of nationwide local public transportation for just 49 euros per month.
The German government temporarily introduced the 9-euro ticket from June to August. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Unlike the 9-euro ticket, which anyone could purchase as a paper ticket, the 49-euro ticket requires purchasing a digital season pass to use. Although priced at more than five times the 9-euro ticket, it is still cheaper compared to Berlin’s monthly pass at 86 euros (approximately 120,000 KRW) and Frankfurt’s at 78 euros (approximately 109,000 KRW).
Transport Minister Wissing said, "We expect to be able to sell unlimited public transportation passes as early as January," adding, "With this, we are realizing one of the biggest reforms in the history of local public transportation."
The German government expects the introduction of this ticket to impact climate change efforts. It is explained that as customers shift from private cars to buses or subways, carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced. In fact, the German Transport Companies Association (VDV) stated that during the three months the 9-euro ticket was in operation, an estimated total of about 1.8 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions were reduced.
However, this policy is not yet finalized. The 16 state premiers still need to agree on the financial arrangements. Additionally, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Finance Minister Christian Lindner will decide whether to expand federal government support for this ticket.
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