In Saxony, the 9-euro ticket became a bestseller in the first month. But it also causes overcrowding on some routes, especially on weekends.
Leipzig (dpa/sn) - The Saxons have accepted the 9-euro ticket very well and have been traveling significantly more by bus and train since the beginning of June. The ticket is very popular, every third resident in the area of the Central German Transport Association (MDV) has one, said a spokeswoman on request. According to this, a total of around 380,000 units have now been sold in the MDV area via apps, at ticket machines and by drivers and service personnel.
In addition, there would be another 275,000 subscribers, students and pupils, whose subscription automatically counts as a 9-euro ticket. The network includes the cities of Halle (Saale) and Leipzig as well as the districts of Leipzig, North Saxony, the Saale district, the Burgenland district and the Altenburger Land district.
The MDV expects strong demand again at the beginning of July and August. All in all, the 14 local transport companies affiliated to the MDV have recorded an increase in the number of passengers on buses, trams and trains.
The vehicles are much more busy, especially on weekends and at peak commuter times, as the spokeswoman said. So far, with a few exceptions, everything has gone well.
The Verkehrsverbund Oberelbe (VVO), to which the state capital Dresden also belongs, also recorded high demand, especially in leisure travel. This affects the routes from Dresden towards Saxon Switzerland, towards Leipzig and north, as a spokesman said. It was particularly crowded during rush hour. Association-wide numbers for ticket sales would only be available in a few weeks.
Around 180,000 tickets have been sold in the Leipzig area alone. There was a rush, especially at the start of sales at the end of May, said the spokesman for the Leipzig transport company, Frank Viereckl. "We have put everything we have on rail and road and didn't have to offer any additional trips because the load factor is currently 86 percent compared to the pre-corona period." There were no overcrowded buses and trains or the system was overwhelmed.
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.
