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TRAVEL NEWS

‘Complete success’: Germany sees 52 million €9 tickets sold

With 52 million €9 tickets sold and an estimated billion journeys made per month, Germany’s transport companies have deemed the low-cost summer travel card a resounding success.

Demonstrators stand with banners in support of the €9 ticket in front of an arriving train at Gesundbrunnen station in Berlin.
Demonstrators stand with banners in support of the €9 ticket in front of an arriving train at Gesundbrunnen station in Berlin. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Jörg Carstensen

The €9 ticket, which has enabled passengers to travel at a budget price on all public transport in Germany throughout the summer months of June, July and August, will come to an end this week.

The Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) reported that over the 3 months, 52 million tickets were sold and called the initiative a “complete success”. On top of this, more than 10 million people who already had transport cards – known as Abos in Germany – received the discount automatically. Meanwhile, an estimated one billion journeys were made each month.

The Association’s CEO, Oliver Wolff, reported that one of the key findings was that there were “a lot of switchers”, as 10 percent of the trips made with the €9 ticket were used for a route that would otherwise have been taken by car.

As a result, the VDV estimates around 1.8 million tons of CO2 were spared during the offer period – having roughly the same effect as if there had been a speed limit on German highways for a year.

READ ALSO: 5 things to know about public transport in Germany after the €9 ticket

Throughout the offer period, the VDV and Deutsche Bahn surveyed 6,000 people per week – amounting to a total of 78,000 people questioned – to find out what they thought about the ticket.

The survey showed that the low cost was the main reason why 56 percent of those asked bought the ticket, while 43 percent of respondents said the avoidance of car travel was an important reason for purchase. Flexibility and nationwide validity were also cited as important reasons for buying the ticket.

Calls for a fast follow-up offer 

Though there have been numerous calls for a cheap successor to the €9 ticket, a new nationwide offer is yet to be announced.

VDV CEO Oliver Wolff called on the government to lose no more time in finding a new, cheap transport deal.

“If we take the transport transition and climate change seriously, we must act now,” said Wolff.

“The ticket has been very successful and it’s worth thinking about continuing it,” he said. He also joined several state transport ministers in calling for more investment to improve local public transport services.

READ ALSO: €49 ticket and payouts for low earners – Germany’s SPD plan new relief package

Chairwoman of the Conference of Transport Ministers of the Federal States, Maike Schaefer also demanded concrete proposals from the federal government for a follow-up solution.

“The results of the market research clearly show that people want public transport if the ticket is simple and understandable and can be used flexibly everywhere,” she said.

Member comments

  1. If Berlin is planning a follow up ticket, I wish they would consider including Zone C along with A and B. If not all of Brandenburg, then it would be nice if the follow up ticket would be valid on a corridor to the BER Airport. It would make good sense, in my opinion.

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TRAVEL NEWS

Germany to check passports on Danish border during Euros

Persons travelling from Denmark to Germany during the 2024 European Championships, which begin on Friday, should bring their passport.

Germany to check passports on Danish border during Euros

Passports will be required for travel from Denmark to Germany for the duration of the European football championships, which take place in Germany between June 14th and July 14th. The border controls will be in effect until July 19th.

German authorities have put temporary border controls in place while the tournament is ongoing, the regional police in Southern Denmark have confirmed.

Diversions will be in place at some of the road crossings, notably Frøslev, where signage has been set up to redirect drivers.

READ ALSO: How to watch the Euro 2024 tournament on TV in Denmark

Germany’s Interior Ministry earlier stated that the country’s police had been given the option of using controls on all borders from June 7th. In that statement, the ministry said all travellers should bring passports when entering Germany.

The tournament will see some 500 police officers from other countries assist the German police by patrolling in host cities, and by helping the German Federal Police.

Euro 2024 begins on Friday evening when the hosts face Scotland in Munich. Denmark’s first match is against Slovenia on Sunday.

Denmark carries out spot checks on its side of the border with Germany, as part of temporary security measures that have been used in varying forms since 2016.

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