After almost two months, it is clear that the introduction of the Germany ticket has largely worked without any problems. Transport Minister Wissing is particularly pleased about inquiries from other European countries.
For a German Minister of Transport, there are probably few topics that put you in a good mood these days. The train surpasses itself in the discipline of cancellations and delays, drivers curse about traffic jams and construction sites. But there is one topic that makes Volker Wissing smile: the success of the Deutschlandticket. his idea.
As the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) announced this week, around eleven million Germany tickets have been sold since the beginning of May. A success. Also because, contrary to many prophecies of doom, the introduction of a purely digital offer went largely without problems. The start went well, said Wissing to the ARD Capital Studio.
About a million new customers
In addition to the sales figures, the VDV also looked at who bought the ticket and why. According to the survey, about half of the people were new subscribers. And after all: around one million buyers are new customers, i.e. people who have largely ignored local and regional transport so far.
For most Deutschlandticket holders, the nationwide validity of the ticket was the most convincing argument, in addition to the current price of 49 euros. For every fifth user, environmental protection is the main reason for purchase. This group can even imagine consciously avoiding driving in the future.
Wissing should be happy about the results of the VDV market research, after all it was he who, as Minister of Transport in Rhineland-Palatinate, wants to have considered a nationally valid standard ticket. The plans were already in his drawer before he took office at the Federal Ministry of Transport, says Wissing.
Germany as inspiration?
However, he is even more pleased than the sales figures that the Deutschlandticket is attracting worldwide attention. Wissing reports that he is regularly asked about the ticket at international conferences. Some countries were interested in usage data, he says. Of course, his house makes the experiences made available. Above all, the “field test” with the 9-euro ticket provided all sorts of insights.
Something is happening in Europe. A nationwide ticket was recently introduced in Slovenia, and France is at least considering it too. Germany as an inspiration in the transport sector of all places? One or the other may be surprised, as Germany has always been considered little innovative in this field.
Transport Minister Wissing is also pleased that this is changing, at least in this respect. He grew up in Rhineland-Palatinate, very close to France. Some in the Federal Ministry of Transport are already thinking beyond the Germany ticket and are sketching the idea of a Europe ticket. Fly to Paris with the Deutschlandticket on your cell phone and then simply get on the metro? A lot of water is likely to flow down the Seine before this idea becomes a reality.
Further financing still unclear
Especially since the list of tasks for Wissing is not getting smaller in Germany. Because even if the VDV is satisfied with the new offer – there are still many question marks with those responsible for the German transport company. For example, there is financing. For the time being, the Deutschlandticket is only financed until the end of the year. How to proceed then? For VDV President Ingo Wortmann, the matter is clear: Politicians must make reliable and long-term financial commitments.
Around 48 billion euros will be needed by 2030 to maintain and expand the German rail network in local and regional transport. A lot of money. Transport Minister Wissing is confident that a solution will be found for this as well. When it comes to the Germany ticket, he obviously doesn’t want to spoil his good mood.