- Approximately 152 thousand pupils in Hamburg receive complimentary admission passes to Germany.
At the commencement of the fresh academic year, over 152,000 pupils in Hamburg are entitled to a Germany pass, gratis. Initially, around 100,000 children and adolescents had this discounted pass, but now they can avail of it without paying, with an additional 52,225 requests made before the vacation ended on Wednesday, as per a representative from the Hamburg Transport Association (HVV). This means 210,000 students are eligible for this nationwide, free public transport pass. The Senate predicts approximately 80%, or around 168,000 students, will claim this pass.
The validity of this pass begins from September 1st. Up until then, all Hamburg students can ride HVV transport at no charge, without exhibiting a pass. Post this date, controllers will exhibit some leniency if someone cannot produce the free pass. However, students and adolescents should carry an ID card indicating their identity and residence.
This free pass can only be obtained online. Parents must request it for children under 16. Students aged 16 and above can apply themselves, but they need to provide proof from their school. The HVV tariff area is extensive, reaching as far as Itzehoe, Ratzeburg, Dannenberg, or Cuxhaven. Students living in Schleswig-Holstein or Lower Saxony can apply for a discounted Germany pass, but they won't travel free even within Hamburg.
This new policy is projected to drain the city's budget by approximately 14 million euros this year. The Senate anticipates, based on the current 49 euros monthly price for the Germany pass, a whopping 99 million euros in expenditure for the following year. If more students request the pass than forecasted, the Senate will cater to the additional costs.
Due to the popularity of the free public transport pass in Hamburg, some students might need a Germany ticket during the transitional period before September 1st. However, once the academic year begins, a Germany ticket will not be necessary for eligible students due to the free pass offering.
