There could be a discount on job tickets for the planned 49-euro monthly ticket for local transport. North Rhine-Westphalia’s Transport Minister Oliver Krischer (Greens), as Chairman of the Transport Ministers’ Conference of the federal states, told the German Press Agency that the federal and state governments are currently discussing their own regulations for job tickets. Companies could then offer their employees the ticket at a reduced price if they share in the costs.
“That would be highly attractive for companies and their employees,” said Krischer. “Only the countries decide on further discounts, for example for students and trainees on the Germany ticket, which then have to bear the costs themselves.” According to Krischer, the Germany ticket will probably start on May 1st.
The Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) advocated a discount on the 49-euro ticket for employers when purchasing certain contingents. “The job ticket is one of the best-selling tickets in public transport, we currently have several million subscribers in this segment,” said VDV general manager Oliver Wolff on request. “But there is still great potential to attract new passengers and employers.” Everything that makes the Germany ticket more attractive as a job ticket helps.
Financing is still unclear
Specifically, there could be a discount for employers depending on the number of job tickets ordered. They could then pass the discount on to their employees. The hope is that the discount will increase demand and at least partially compensate for the loss of income. It is unclear who finances this. The federal and state governments want to discuss this in a joint working group on Friday.
Last summer, millions of passengers used the 9-euro ticket during a three-month discount campaign. As a permanent successor, a nationwide ticket for 49 euros per month for buses and trains in local and regional transport is planned.
“I would have liked the Deutschlandticket to start on April 1st,” said Krischer. “But that won’t work because the legislative process and the EU approval issue will take time.” So it will probably be May 1st now.
“There are indications that questions about the technical implementation can be clarified in the coming days,” said the NRW minister. “I perceive the will of everyone involved – federal, state and association – to come to a result. We are in a marathon at kilometer 40.”
Flexibility demanded by the federal government
Krischer continued: “We all agree that it should be a digital ticket.” In a short transitional period, however, a paper ticket would be necessary. “The control systems are often different, so the technology still has to be synchronized. I can get involved with a paper ticket for the transition.” He hopes that Federal Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) can do the same.
Another topic is the question of tariff approvals. The Germany ticket would actually have to be approved by the supervisory authorities as a new tariff in the transport associations. “That would be hundreds of permits, that’s the current law,” says Krischer. “I expect flexibility from the federal government to create the legal possibility for the Germany ticket to be approved once or at least at state level and then be valid everywhere.”
Krischer said with a view to the 49-euro ticket: “The turning point will be absolutely deep. The Deutschlandticket is a small revolution, it will change the complete tariff structures everywhere in Germany. What we have seen so far, it will be in the form no longer exist. Public transport will become more attractive for many people who have not previously used it because of complex tariff structures and high prices. A double-digit million number of Germany tickets sold would certainly be a success.”
