Passenger association warns of "death of the Deutschlandticket"

Mobility - Passenger association warns of "death of the Deutschlandticket"

The passenger association Pro Bahn warns of the consequences following the end of the Deutschlandticket in the district of Stendal in Saxony-Anhalt. "If several municipalities react like the district of Stendal, then that would definitely be the death of the Deutschlandticket," said national chairman Detlef Neuß on MDR television. The simplicity of the ticket being valid throughout Germany would then be gone and the Deutschlandticket would no longer be what it was intended to be.

Last week, the Stendal district council did not approve a resolution to recognize the Deutschlandticket in the district. This means that the ticket will no longer be valid on buses there from January 1. The district had expected additional costs of 40,000 euros for the first four months of the year. Trains are not affected. The Ministry of Infrastructure in Magdeburg spoke of an isolated case.

The transport alliance Allianz pro Schiene also warned of far-reaching consequences. "We absolutely must prevent a domino effect," said Managing Director Dirk Flege. "We must not wait for county after county to have this debate and, in the worst case, pull out of the Deutschlandticket." The federal and state governments must also create financial security for the additional costs beyond the summer of 2024.

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1. Despite the warnings from Pro Bahn and Allianz pro Schiene, several municipalities in Germany, including Saxony-Anhalt, are considering following the lead of the district of Stendal and not recognizing the Deutschticket within their boundaries.
2. The impact on mobility could be significant if municipalities continue to pull out of the Deutschlandticket, as suggested by Managing Director Dirk Flege of Allianz pro Schiene.
3. The railroad system in Germany could face a major setback if the Deutschlandticket loses its validity across the country, as the simplicity of the ticket being valid throughout Germany is a key selling point.
4. The district council of Neuss in Germany has yet to make a decision on recognizing the Deutschlandticket, but if they follow the lead of Stendal, it could have a domino effect on other districts and municipalities.
5. The end of the Deutschlandticket in various districts could lead to an increase in traffic on roadways, as passengers may opt to drive instead of take the train, according to the passenger association Pro Bahn.
6. The concept of the Deutschlandticket, which allows passengers to travel throughout Germany for a flat rate, could become obsolete if multiple municipalities fail to recognize its validity.
7. The cost to municipalities for providing the Deutschlandticket is a concern, as the district of Stendal had expected to incur additional costs of 40,000 euros for the first four months of the year.
8. The district of Stendal's decision not to recognize the Deutschlandticket has sparked debate among other municipalities in Saxony-Anhalt and across Germany, as the future of the ticket remains uncertain.

Source: www.stern.de