Linker aims to incorporate ICE trips within the Deutschlandticket.
Despite uncertain future funding, the Deutschlandticket continues to thrive as a successful model. The Left Party pushes to make the ticket more appealing, especially towards low-income groups, by introducing long-distance options to compliment the existing local transportation offer.
The Left Party advocates for extending the Deutschlandticket to allow up to six trips on ICE trains this year. This would allow individuals in poverty to go on vacation, according to Left Party Member of Parliament Bernd Riexinger. Additionally, the ticket's popularity may prompt more individuals to sign up for the monthly season pass. At present, the Deutschlandticket is only valid for local transport, except for three IC and ICE routes in Berlin and Brandenburg.
Riexinger argues that many citizens utilize the Deutschlandticket. It enables those with limited financial means to take a local train day trip, for example. However, a significant section of the population, including single parents and recipients of social welfare, cannot afford vacations, criticized the Left Party official.
The Deutschlandticket, available for a year, permits users to travel across the country on local and regional buses and trains for 49 euros monthly. Approximately 11.2 million users rely on this subscription, which primarily attracts commuters. Half of the subscribers utilize the ticket for daily trips to work or school, according to Deutsche Bahn survey results. Many companies provide discounted tickets to their staff, leading the federal government to supplement company contributions. When employers grant a 25% discount on the season ticket, the federal government adds another 5%. This brings the price down to 34.30 euros per month, or even lower with additional corporate discounts. About 17% of all Deutschlandtickets are these job ticket variants.
"Crowded buses and trains require expansion"
The success of the Deutschlandticket has increased demand, resulting in buses and trains becoming more crowded. Trains, particularly popular routes to the Baltic Sea, Munich's mountains, and Hamburg's North Sea, experienced overcrowding last summer.
Deutsche Bahn plans to add more seats to regional services in collaboration with local transport authorities. While regional public transport encounters lower capacity utilization rates than long-distance transport, Deutsche Bahn's Head of Passenger Transport, Evelyn Palla, pointed out that expanding services comes at a hefty price. State and association expenses exceed available funds, preventing an adequate response to increased demand.
"The greatest shortcoming thus far is the poor bus and rail service in remote regions", remarked Dirk Flege, Managing Director of the pro-rail alliance. "We need to expand services, extend job ticket offers, and simplify the overly convoluted pricings for items such as taking bicycles and children on board."
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The Left Party proposes extending the Deutschlandticket to include up to six trips on German Railways' ICE trains, as suggested by Bernd Riexinger. This move would enable individuals with limited income to go on vacation, potentially increasing the number of people subscribing to the monthly season pass. Despite the Deutschlandticket being primarily used for local transport, it already benefits many citizens, including those with financial constraints, by enabling affordable day trips.
Source: www.ntv.de
