Relief Package: Chaos Surrounding the Nine-Euro Ticket

After the announcement of a 9-euro ticket for public transportation as part of the latest relief package from the traffic-light coalition, there is confusion regarding the implementation and design. The main question was what will happen with the users of monthly and annual passes and how student tickets, for example, should be handled. From the Greens, who had prompted the idea of discounted public transport as a counterbalance to the fuel price reduction initiated by the FDP and SPD, it was quickly stated that monthly and annual pass holders should also be relieved. The Federal Ministry of Transport refers to a federal-state working group for clarification, which should "quickly" resolve open questions. Wissing's department did not promise any reimbursement, for example, for students, most of whom obtain a public transport ticket through their semester fee.

A dispute also erupted over the sensibility of a flat rate price, because the ticket prices for students, for instance, vary widely. An uncomplicated solution must be found, urged the Secretary-General of the German Student Union, Matthias Anbuhl, to the Süddeutsche Zeitung. The simplest solution, which the majority of states had demanded—to make the three-month ticket generally free—was rejected by FDP Transport Minister Wissing. The traffic-light coalition had finally agreed on the nine euros. The minister expects costs of 2.5 billion euros for the federal government. According to Wissing, the ticket should also only be valid for one transport association, not nationwide. The target start date is May 1st.