Germany's ambitious initiative to promote public transportation through the €49 a month 'Deutschlandticket' has been declared a "huge success” as it resulted in a remarkable 25% increase in passengers using national railway company Deutsche Bahn's regional services. Launched in May, the Deutschlandticket enables travelers to access unlimited buses and local or regional trains across the country, including Berlin's popular S-Bahn network, Euronews reported.
As per Evelyn Palla, CEO of DB Regio, the success of the D-Ticket is evident from the substantial rise in traveler numbers compared to April. She told the German newspaper RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) that the Deutschlandticket has already proven to be a great success. Germany's Transport Minister, Volker Wissing, also expressed his enthusiasm, describing the ticket as "really a huge success."
Deutsche Bahn's records reveal that since May 1, Germans have been using the D-Ticket to travel significantly longer distances. Particularly during the summer months, routes to the coast and mountains have experienced a surge in popularity, indicating that the scheme is encouraging more sustainable travel choices during holiday periods.
However, Palla acknowledges that part of the increase in ridership is attributable to seasonal fluctuations, including public holidays and the vacation season. She emphasizes that the less than three months of data available are not sufficient to form a complete picture.
“The fact that the trains were fuller in May and June than in April is also due to public holidays and the holiday season. The just under three months that we have now had the Deutschlandticket are not yet enough to paint an accurate picture,” Palla stated.
Nevertheless, the numbers portray an encouragingly promising trend. Within the short span since its introduction, the Deutschlandticket has attracted nearly 1 mn new customers for local public transport (ÖPNV), highlighting a substantial shift towards everyday use instead of occasional travel.
As of June 20, the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) reported a staggering 9.6 mn passengers utilizing the D-Ticket subscription. The high demand demonstrates the appeal and effectiveness of the initiative in encouraging people to choose eco-friendly travel options.
Regarding the ticket's sustainability, there have been concerns about its long-term viability. In May, transport authorities warned that the €49 pass might also prove unsustainable. The €9 a month deal offered during the summer of the previous year saw remarkable success, selling 52 mn tickets and potentially avoiding 1.8 mn tonnes of CO2 emissions. However, due to its high popularity and climate benefits, the ultra-cheap pass proved too costly for the state to extend.
Transport Minister Volker Wissing, though optimistic, emphasizes the importance of increasing the number of subscribers to ensure the long-term viability of the Deutschlandticket. The more people utilize the ticket regularly, the cheaper it can become over time.
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