HANNOVER (dpa-AFX) – In the debate about a follow-up regulation for the 9-euro ticket, Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SPD) wants to relieve the burden on schoolchildren, trainees and volunteers in particular. Other sections of the population could be added later. “In Lower Saxony, we focus primarily on schoolchildren and trainees,” said Weil of the “Neue Osnabrcker Zeitung” (NOZ). People are particularly mobile at that age and mobility behavior is also shaped.
“That’s why we want to try to offer very cheap offers for young people, for example with the student and trainee ticket for 30 euros a month – the state is giving 25 million euros for this this year and 30 million annually from next year,” he said. However, Weil restricted: “I really wish that we would still receive signals from the federal government for further financing. Then we will be happy to propose a follow-up solution for Northern Germany, but my hope is low because FDP Federal Finance Minister Lindner is already very concerned at this point has determined.”
There is also a jungle of tariffs between Bremen and Lower Saxony, but especially within Lower Saxony. “We have more than 30 tariff associations, that’s far too many, at least when everyone has their own tariff system. I would like a “ticket for everyone” to work properly here in the small country,” he said. Trains and buses would be attractive if use was not just limited to one fare network, but if one ticket could be used across borders.
Launched in June, the 9-euro ticket is still valid in August and allows for one month of cheap travel on local buses and trains throughout Germany. Since several million people have already decided to buy one, there is currently a broad debate about follow-up solutions./koe/DP/he