The new 49-euro ticket should also be recognized in France – at least if Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing has his way. France is planning a national ticket similar to the Germany ticket, the FDP politician told the Funke media group and the French newspaper Ouest France on Saturday. “I would have a lot of sympathy for us recognizing each other’s national tickets.”
Germany and France could start and other European countries could follow suit. “However, that would be a complex undertaking that will take time.”
The Germany ticket for 49 euros per month has been valid since May 1st. So far, it entitles you to travel on all buses and trains in local and regional transport throughout Germany. On several routes, the ticket is already valid for trips abroad, for example to Salzburg, to Schaffhausen in Switzerland or between Emmerich and Arnhem on the Lower Rhine. After France, this applies to the Alsatian towns of Weißenburg and Lauterburg near the German border.
Meanwhile, a Franco-German project is about to start: From Monday, 10 a.m., 18 to 27-year-olds residing in Germany or France can register for the free “Friendship Passport”. This allows them to travel to the respective neighboring country for a month between July 1st and December 31st. 30,000 tickets each will be issued on the German and French sides. The occasion is the 60th anniversary of the Élysée Treaty, with which Germany and France sealed their cooperation and friendship.