The managing director of Bayerische Regiobahn, Arnulf Schuchmann, is skeptical as to whether many new customers will continue to use the train and bus after the nine-euro ticket has expired. “Because now the price level that applied until the end of April 2022 is continuing, and the industry is already talking about price increases that are coming very soon,” said Schuchmann on Thursday.
He drew a mixed balance for the nationwide nine-euro tickets that expired at the end of August. On the one hand, many used the train and bus for excursions or “tried out train travel without having to pay attention to zones and networks. That was definitely the biggest advantage, the simplicity,” said Schuchmann.
Compared to the pre-Corona year 2019, the Bavarian Regiobahn had between 40 and 60 percent more demand. But “overcrowded trains unfortunately quickly spoiled the initial desire for public transport for many travelers”.