Full platforms, but there were no big crowds at the stations Photo: Michael Sohn/AP
By Nadja Bukowski
The first day of tank discount and 9 euro ticket in Berlin! Onslaught, chaos or actually as always?
Due to the reduction in mineral oil tax, the price of petrol should fall by 35 cents on Wednesday and that of diesel by 16.7 cents. And in local transport, the monthly 9-euro ticket is valid until the end of August.
BZ checked the gas pump and the platform
►Alexanderplatz train station in Mitte. There were no complaints about overcrowded regional trains, and there were no big crowds on the train tracks.
Hildegard Z. (70) and Doreen Z. (47) from Wittenberge: “Great! Make lots of trips to Berlin with the ticket now” Photo: Olaf Selchow
Maximilian G. (30) from Potsdam: “I actually rarely take the train, but I’m on vacation now and it’s really worth it.” Photo: Olaf Selchow
The BVG also drew an initial positive conclusion: “We are currently pleased with the very large response to the campaign, which shows us that people in Berlin are very interested in environmentally friendly and reliable mobility by bus and train. So far we have already sold around 635,000 €9 tickets, almost 500,000 of them for the month of June.”
►Free Union gas station in Köpenick. No long queues, no pushing and honking. The joy about cheaper fuel prices was limited, the anger about the last expensive months still outweighs.
Petrol prices at Aral in March 2022 (left), May (middle) and June Photo: Ralf Lutter/Picture alliance/Geisler-Fotopress
Gasoline prices at Shell in March 2022 (left), May (middle) and June Photo: Ralf Lutter
Refueling is now possible for less than two euros, but customers remain skeptical. Like Kremena Andreeva (58) from Eberswalde: “The tank discount is a sham. When it comes to prices, a few cents don’t make any difference.” And Nicole Wege (39) from Treptow says: “Well, I have to fill up because I need the car. What else can I do?”
Saskia F. (41) from Treptow: “Great, now I’m going to fill up the tank!” Photo: Olaf Selchow
Wolfgang Sass (75) from Köpenick: “Nonsense! Just like the 9 euro ticket. After that, everything is just as expensive again” Photo: Olaf Selchow