Before a special online conference of transport ministers this Monday, Brandenburg’s Transport Minister Guido Beermann (CDU) made a cautious statement about a successor solution for the 9-euro ticket. “The most urgent thing now is to deal with the exploding energy costs and to make public transport financially weatherproof,” he told the German Press Agency.
1.65 billion euros additionally
According to him, the federal states need an additional 1.65 billion euros from the federal government just to maintain the offer in local public transport. A further 1.5 billion euros are needed to expand public transport. “The discussion about tariffs has to be integrated here. But the traffic light wants to put the reins on the horse from behind. That won’t work,” said Beermann with a view to the debate about the successor models for the 9-euro ticket.
The results of the deliberations are to be presented on Monday afternoon. Numerous state politicians had shown confidence that the federal and state governments would find a solution for a successor to the 9-euro ticket in local transport at the ministerial meeting chaired by Bremen. The three-month special for trips throughout Germany expired at the end of August.
Expansion of public transport required
Saarland Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger (SPD) said on Deutschlandfunk that the discussion should not just focus on one ticket model. Public transport needs to be expanded. “What use is the cheap bus that ultimately doesn’t drive,” she added.
“We need a big shot.” She also expects that from Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP), said Rehlinger. The 9 euro ticket was a great success. For a successor plan, a financially weak federal state like Saarland needs the financial help of the federal government.
