Magdeburg (dpa/sa) - According to the Ministry of Transport, more than 400,000 tickets were sold in Saxony-Anhalt alone within the first month after the launch of the 9-euro ticket. "Local public transport is in demand these weeks like never before," said Minister Lydia Hüskens (FDP) on Friday, according to a statement. "The actual goal of relieving the burden on people in our country is being achieved every day."
The number of passengers has therefore increased significantly on all train routes in the country and at all times. "The classic morning commuter trains, such as the S-Bahn between Halle and Leipzig, currently transport an average of around 30 percent more customers," the ministry said. The numbers often doubled over the course of the day. The regional express between Magdeburg and Leipzig has around 6,000 additional passengers Monday to Friday and even a good 7,000 more at the weekend, it said.
The trains to tourist destinations, for example in the Harz Mountains, are also in greater demand at weekends. According to the information, the number of passengers there was at least twice as high as in the previous month. The minister said it remains to be seen to what extent the forthcoming start of the holidays will lead to a further increase in the numbers.
With additional wagons, more seats could be offered on some routes. Due to scarce resources in terms of vehicles and personnel, further increases can hardly be implemented in the long term, it said. "Some forest and embankment fires have also affected train traffic," said Hüskens.
"Ultimately, the field trial of the 9-euro ticket shows us one thing very clearly: the infrastructure is simply not well equipped for this noticeable increase in passenger numbers," said the minister. There has clearly been too little investment in recent years.
The ticket is a reaction to the sharp rise in energy costs and is intended to serve as a relief measure nationwide. It is offered in June, July and August and is valid throughout Germany for journeys on buses, trams and regional trains in 2nd class. An extra ticket is issued for each month.
