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Germany debates new digital ticket for occasional transit users
German transport ministers are debating a proposal from North Rhine-Westphalia and Hamburg to introduce a nationwide digital ticket for occasional public transport users. The proposed model utilizes a smartphone-based “in/out” system, where passengers check in and out via mobile device, and the system automatically calculates the most cost-effective fare. This model is based on the successful “eezy.nrw” service, which recorded over 1.4 million trips in September.
Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger expressed support for the idea, noting that easy access to buses and trains is vital. However, Christian Bernreiter, the Bavarian Transport Minister and chairman of the Transport Ministers' Conference, has rejected the concept. Bernreiter argued that a “Deutschlandticket light” could alienate existing monthly subscribers and drain necessary revenue from the transit system.
The proposal was temporarily removed from the agenda at the latest conference to allow for further investigation into financial implications and technical implementation. A working group may be established to develop a concrete concept.
Entities
Christian Bernreiter · Grant Hendrik Tonne · North Rhine-Westphalia · Oliver Krischer · Steffen Bilger
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Bernreiter fears a new ticket could cause existing subscribers to cancel their current subscriptions. bahnblogstelle.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] North Rhine-Westphalia and Hamburg proposed a smartphone-based “in/out” tariff for occasional transit users. www.epochtimes.de · www.news38.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger described the idea as a “spannende Idee” (exciting idea). www.epochtimes.de · bahnblogstelle.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The proposed system automatically calculates the cheapest fare based on smartphone check-ins. www.news38.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The current Deutschlandticket price is 63 Euro per month and will rise to 66.80 Euro next year. www.news38.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Bavarian Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter opposes the introduction of a new discounted ticket. www.epochtimes.de · bahnblogstelle.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The eezy.nrw model recorded over 1.4 million trips in September. www.news38.de
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The topic was postponed at the transport ministers' conference to clarify financial and implementation questions. www.epochtimes.de