“Ball is in the states’ court”
Traffic light MPs want Germany ticket with bicycle transport
A symbol in the shape of a bicycle on a Deutsche Bahn train
© Patrick Pleul / DPA
A “Germany Ticket Bicycle” as an improvement to the current Germany Ticket? Representatives of the traffic light in the Bundestag can well imagine this. But this would require a comprehensive solution.
MPs from the traffic light coalition are urging the federal states to do so Improve the Deutschlandticket and introduce uniform regulations for taking bicycles with you. The Green Party’s transport expert in the Bundestag, Nyke Slawik, told the “Rheinische Post” on Monday that she could well imagine a “Deutschlandticket bicycle”. This requires the creation of a uniform bicycle tariff for the Deutschlandticket.
In addition, families would have to be relieved. Slawik added that “children up to the age of 14 should be allowed to travel on tickets throughout Germany.” The FDP MP responsible for bicycle traffic, Valentin Abel, told the newspaper: “I think it would be good if there were the same transport rules for the Germany ticket across the board. The ball is clearly in the states’ court.”
Deutschlandticket: Free bicycle transport required
The spokeswoman for the General German Bicycle Club (ADFC), Stephanie Krone, said that additional bicycle tickets were far too expensive almost everywhere. It is therefore necessary to take bicycles on local trains free of charge. “Just get on with the Deutschlandticket – and you’re done,” demanded Krone.
The Deutschlandticket for local and regional transport was introduced in May last year at a price of 49 euros per month. This year the price should remain stable, as the conference of transport ministers recently decided. More than ten million people use the ticket.