Local traffic - CDU parliamentary group criticizes the end of cash payments on buses
The CDU parliamentary group criticizes the end of cash ticket sales on Hamburg buses in the new year. The share of cash sales on buses as a proportion of total fare revenue in the Hamburg Transport Association (HVV) is continuously declining and currently stands at less than six percent, the Senate announced in response to a minor question from the CDU parliamentary group. This may not sound like much, the parliamentary group told the German Press Agency. In reality, however, it means that tens of thousands of tickets are still being paid for in cash.
" Hamburg's senior citizens and tourists in particular are suffering from the ill-conceived and hasty abolition of cash payments on buses," criticized Anke Frieling, deputy chairwoman of the parliamentary group. According to the Senate, it assumes "that the majority of cash sales will be carried out in the hvv switch app in future". The HVV prepaid card has been introduced so that customers without an account or smartphone can also buy tickets on the bus. However, Frieling considers this to be "not a sensible alternative".
Her parliamentary group is calling on the red-green Senate not to ban cash payments on buses. "This is inclusive and ensures that more people can use public transport," emphasized Frieling. In its response, however, the Senate confirmed that Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein GmbH (VHH) and Hamburger Hochbahn AG (Hochbahn) will stop accepting cash payments on bus routes in the Hamburg AB fare zone from January 1, 2024.
With almost 900,000 customers of the HVV-Deutschlandticket and a high number of app ticket users, direct sales to drivers now play a subordinate role. However, cash sales are associated with a high technical and time expenditure. The aim of the abolition is to reduce this, "so that the sale of tickets on the bus is not a reason for a delayed departure at bus stops".
In order to inform customers, a broad-based information campaign is running across all media. The Senate emphasized that the HVV Seniors' Advisory Service also offers training on how to use the prepaid card. Its response also shows that employees of the transport and inspection services have been instructed to be accommodating in cases of doubt when cashless payments are first introduced.
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- Despite the declining percentage of cash sales, which is currently below six percent, the CDU parliamentary group is concerned about the impact on "Hamburg's senior citizens and tourists" due to the end of cash payments on buses.
- The Hamburg Verkehrsverbund (HVV) announced that they assume the majority of cash sales will be handled through the HVV switch app in the future.
- The CDU parliamentary group advocates for maintaining "cash payments" on buses as a way to promote inclusivity and ensure more people can use public transportation.
- The HVV-Deutschlandticket, with around 900,000 customers, and the high number of app ticket users have led to a reduced role for direct sales to drivers.
- The decision to stop accepting cash payments on bus routes within the Hamburg AB fare zone from January 1, 2024, will also impact "Consumers" and "Citizenship" within Hamburg.
- As part of an informative campaign, the HVV Seniors' Advisory Service provides training on how to use the prepaid card to help adapt to the change from cash payments to digital tickets.
Source: www.stern.de
