Rail Travel in Germany Increases by 42% Following Introduction of €9 Train Tickets
According to the German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), during June, which is the first month in which travellers could buy a train ticket for only €9, trips by rail have increased considerably.
“In June 2022, movements in rail transport across Germany were an average 42 per cent higher than in June 2019. In May 2022, they had been by three per cent higher than in May 2019,” a statement of the office reveals.
The results have been revealed after a special evaluation of mobile network data performed by Destatis for rail trips with a distance covered of 30 or more kilometres, AtoZSerwisPlus.de reports.
The same also reveals that in June 2022, rail was the way of transport that experienced the highest increase when compared to the same month of 2019. Intra-German air transport, on the other hand, was the one that experienced the sharpest downfall, which by the end of the month marked a drop of 49 per cent.
Germany introduced the €9 ticket on June 1 and made it available for everyone travelling in second class. The ticket is valid for a period of one calendar month, whereas the scheme will be effective until August 31.
The ticket can be used in all public transport services in Germany on any local/regional route and for as many trips as the holder wants to use it, and can be purchased through a mobile phone as well. The ticket, however, is not valid on long-distance trains or long-distance buses.
People who have an annual ticket purchased have been refunded the additional amount they paid beyond the €9 amount for these three summer months.
According to Deutsche Bahn AG, which is the national railway company of Germany, bikers should not take their bicycles to popular tourist destinations between 9 am, and 11 am and 2 pm and 5 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, due to the increased demand for travel on these days.
“On busy days, there may be an increased demand for certain local/regional trains and stations due to the €9 Ticket. For safety reasons, the train crew may decide not to allow any more bicycles. Parking spaces cannot be reserved on local transport services,” the company states in a notice regarding the issue.
