Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) - Commuters can save a lot of money with the introduction of the 49-euro ticket, according to the Verkehrsclub Deutschland. State chief Matthias Lieb said on Thursday in Stuttgart: "For many of today's passengers in local transport, this leads to significant savings, since commuter tickets today often cost 100 to 150 euros." However, the exciting question remains as to how many new customers could be won by offering a ticket that is valid nationwide and removes all tariff hurdles.
The federal and state governments agreed on Wednesday about open financing issues in local public transport. This clears the way for the 49-euro ticket. The digital, nationwide valid "Deutschlandticket" is to be introduced quickly. Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) said the goal was to start at the beginning of January.
Lieb said that the greater use of local transport is not only dependent on the price, but to a much greater extent on the quality and density of the offer. "And here the agreements made are not sufficient." Due to the strong price increases, especially for energy, the transport companies and authorities for local transport are currently having great problems keeping their finances in balance. "The increase in regionalization funds, which was also lower than expected, initially only leads to a relief in rail transport, but not in bus traffic." There was still a lack of instruments for the urban and rural districts and for self-sufficient bus transport to compensate for the increase in energy costs.
