Germany's delayed discount ticket for local and regional transit has a new start date, May 1st, but it appears that there are still enough complications to possibly derail it again, as has happened several times in the past three months.
The all-you-can-ride ticket, like last summer's popular €9 a month ticket, allows users to ride on any local transit and regional trains across the country. And there's one of the rubs: the Federal and State governments have agreed on how to finance the ticket, which is viewed as both a green measure and anti-inflation, but the process of sign-off with the hundreds of local operating companies.
And, because government subsidies are involved, approval is required (but expected) from the EU.
There are also other issues, which have less potential for delay. One is the question over whether the ticket will be available in paper form or only digital, as preferred by the federal transport minister. Opponents want a paper ticket because not everyone has a smartphone. Also, there are complaints about the price, with proposals floating for a €29 ticket for students and unemployed.
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