Nuremberg: The 365-euro ticket is apparently about to end – Bavaria

June 17, 2020 was a big day for Titus Schüller, and you thought you could see it too. The initiative of the City Council of the Left in Nuremberg had collected 20,000 signatures for a 365-euro ticket, enough to force a referendum. But before that happened, under such pressure, the city compromised.

Instead of as early as 2021, as originally intended by Schüller, they promised to introduce the ticket at the beginning of 2023. The announcement took place in a large group in the council chamber and was flanked by weighty words: Mayor Marcus König (CSU), who had just taken office shortly before, spoke of a “milestone for Nuremberg” – and of the fact that one would “write history” as ” first big city in Germany” to commit to such a ticket.

And now? Are Schüller and his fellow campaigners collecting signatures again? and again for a 365 euro ticket. Not because the “milestone” has already been officially sunk in the Pegnitz, it’s not that far yet. Only the current announcement, which the city sent out in writing on the matter, sounds comparatively unequivocal. The government of Central Franconia approved the 2022 budget, but only under “strict conditions”: save wherever possible.

The “365-euro ticket for everyone” in the city area was also “expressly” mentioned. Following this statement, City Treasurer Harald Riedel from the SPD has his say (“The guidelines of the government of Middle Franconia are clear”) – as well as City Hall boss Marcus König: “We have understood.”

Schüller also thinks he understands that. Even if the city council – dominated by a black-red majority in Nuremberg – has not yet decided to end the project, the present paper cannot be interpreted otherwise than that this is imminent, he says. Which is why Schüller and his people are now collecting signatures again. As long as the city sticks to the expansion of the so-called Frankenschnellweg and other major projects, he doesn’t see why the 365-euro ticket should be canceled. The fact that the city announced the breakthrough of the Gordian knot in 2020 with great fanfare, but is now announcing the farewell through the back door, Schüller considers “bad style”.

Whereby the city leaders were never “trusted one hundred percent” and the option was always left open to start again for a citizens’ initiative. Although one feels “ripped off” at the moment, one is “very optimistic” that the necessary 12,000 signatures will be obtained again. The collecting has already started, with good response. In any case, they will not agree to a compromise again – and are therefore preparing for a referendum.

When the two major town hall partners will decide on the matter is not yet clear, says CSU city council chief Andreas Krieglstein. This Wednesday in the city council, however, it will not be that far, the treasurer will first present the new budget situation. And, as everyone in Nuremberg has long suspected, it is anything but rosy.

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