The Germans are in the starting-blocks: for reduce the country's energy consumption - and in particular to reduce oil consumption - the German government has decided on a exceptional measure. The country is launching a 9 ticket valid for all public transport in the country. It goes on sale on 23 May.
This ticket applies to all urban transport companies as well as on all regional trains. This therefore excludes ICE, IC or EC long-distance trains from the Deutsche Bahn. As well as long-distance buses.
The ticket is valid for one month, with one important restriction. It cannot be only used during the month of purchase. For example, any ticket bought in June, whatever the day, will be valid until the 30th of the month. However, it can be used every day.
Such an offer should also attract business travellers. Imagine a traveller going to a conference at Frankfurt then visiting a subsidiary in Stuttgart. In theory, for €9, you can use Frankfurt's public transport system every day. Then take the RE regional train from Frankfurt to Stuttgart. And then use public transport in Baden-Württemberg again. The only drawback: the Frankfurt-Stuttgart journey by regional train would take over 3 hours - instead of the normal average of 1 hour 20 minutes.
The €9 ticket is being introduced for three months, from June to August.. According to the German media, there are no plans to extend this action, which will cost the German government 2.5 billion euros.
