Nine euros a month to travel by train throughout Germany and leave the car at home. Photo: AP
Since Wednesday, the Germans are testing a system that allows, for only 9 euros per month, travel across the country. The initiative aims to promote public transport system at a time when fuel prices are rising due to the war in Ukraine.
It seems like a dream. During the three summer months, you can travel by train across Germany for an astounding € 9 per month, which is usually worth three tickets within a city or just over the cost of a pack of cigarettes.
However, fast trains are excluded from the offer, so arm yourself with a little patience. The journey between Berlin and Munich, for example, of about 600 kilometers, takes about 4 and a half hours by fast train; using regional trains, double, about 9 hours.
Fast trains are excluded from the offer. Photo: AP
Almost free
The price difference is however huge: the journey with the usual train costs about 150 euros, with a ticket of 9 euros it’s almost free. Among the passengers, however, there is a certain skepticism, as these travelers of the central station in Berlin comment.
“I think it’s a good idea, but I don’t know if it will come the capacity of the trains“Explains one traveler.
“It is only for a limited time, I do not know if it will relieve both people who are dependent on the car, such as those who have children,” says a passenger interviewed by RFI.
The German government initially provided two billion euros to transport companies to compensate for the losses of the new passage, but no one knows exactly what will happen, said Thomas Seyfried, a spokesman for the transport companies.
The German government has provided 2 billion euros to transport companies to compensate for the losses of the new ticket. Photo: AP
An experiment
“We have no references, we don’t know what will happenit is an experiment nationwide and we have to see how it develops every day, “he said.
The government’s initial goal is to alleviate some of the increase in energy costs caused by the conflict in Ukraine; for the Green Party, a member of the governing coalition, it is also an opportunity to invite citizens slowly they change their cars for the rest very good German public transport.
This weekend will be the big test, with 27 degrees, the wind in the face and all over the country to see.
Sergio Correa (Germany), RFI
ap
Source: Clarin