Status: 08/06/2022 08:47 a.m
In the debate about a successor to the 9-euro ticket, the federal states have signaled their support. The conference of transport ministers explained that they would contribute to the financing. The federal government must now present a concept.
According to the head of the Transport Ministers Conference, Maike Schaefer, the federal states are ready to co-finance a follow-up offer to the 9-euro ticket. “The basic prerequisite for such a decision would be facts that Federal Minister Wissing has so far failed to fulfil,” said Bremen Mobility Senator Schaefer to the “RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland” (RND). “The federal states have already proven with the Corona rescue package that they are basically willing to participate substantially,” emphasized the Green politician.
Wissing keeps a low profile
Schaefer listed open questions: “How expensive would a follow-up ticket be? Is it valid nationwide? How high should the state share be? If Minister Wissing wants to have a follow-up ticket ready in September, he should deliver now as soon as possible.”
According to the report, Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing is open to continuing the 9-euro ticket. However, the FDP politician has not yet made any concrete proposals. According to his ministry, the willingness of the federal states to participate in the financing is a decisive factor for a successor model. FDP boss and finance minister Christian Lindner has already stated that he will not provide any money to extend the cheap ticket.
Greens present concept
Meanwhile, the Greens proposed a regional ticket for 29 euros and a nationwide ticket for 49 euros a month. This emerges from a concept paper by party leader Ricarda Lang, faction leader Katharina Dröge and the North Rhine-Westphalian Minister of Transport Oliver Krischer ARD Capital Studio present. “It’s time to seriously negotiate a follow-up solution for the 9-euro ticket,” said Dröge. The two proposed tariffs could help the climate and relieve people at the same time.
For financing, the Greens want to curtail the company car privilege, which companies can use to deduct the costs of company cars from taxes. Above all, CO2 emissions should be taken more into account. “The resulting additional revenue for the federal and state governments could flow seamlessly into the financing of cheap tickets,” says the paper.
There are numerous suggestions for a successor to the 9-euro ticket, such as a 365-euro annual ticket or monthly tickets for 29 or 69 euros. The Association of German Transport Companies had proposed the latter: a nationwide public transport climate ticket for 69 euros per month as a permanent offer that would be feasible from September 1st. There were also isolated proposals to make public transport completely free of charge.
In August, rail travelers can once again use local transport in 2nd class throughout Germany for nine euros a month. The financing of the ticket for three months is part of the federal government’s relief packages in response to drastic price increases in almost all areas of life.