The debate as to whether the cheap ticket has a future is a bit lopsided. Because it ignores the crucial aspect.
The nine-euro ticket was great, and now that it’s being phased out, the federal government should create a successor. The two-euro book and the one-euro salad would be conceivable. The book urgently needs more advertising, it’s better for the climate if people read instead of streaming, and everyone knows that salad only has advantages. But when it starts to cost more than a neck steak again in the fall, it’s clear what people will buy, especially those with little money, so please.
Which brings us to the debate that started on Friday after a switch between Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing and his colleagues from the federal states. If you didn’t get it completely wrong, the latter then said: that the nine-euro ticket must be continued because of its popularity, but that not they, but Wissing’s people should raise the money. The nine-euro ticket was practically a free ticket. Did anyone assume free rides would be denied? And at the same time speculating that it should exist in the long run?
Yes, Wissing has not yet done so much to turn the longstanding car traffic ministry into a traffic ministry. But whoever dumps all money issues on him ultimately does a lot to ensure that the nine-euro ticket is dead from September and stays dead. In this respect, it doesn’t matter whether it comes back or whether the government comforts its citizens with books, salad or anything else because of Putin. Must be paid, and who pays? There are free rides at the fair, not at the state.