A day before the decision on the temporary introduction of a 29-euro ticket for public transport in Berlin, transport senator Bettina Jarasch (Verdi) defended the planned offer. In the main committee of the House of Representatives, Jarasch described the initiative, intended as a follow-up solution to the nine-euro bill that expired at the end of August, as a “social relief measure that helps just the right people”.
The measure, which weighs on the state budget with additional costs of 105 million euros, can be implemented in just two weeks, unlike other relief proposals, Jarasch explained. “This is an opportunity that we must not let pass in a crisis situation,” said the Green politician.
He regretted that the ticket will in all likelihood only be valid for Berlin and not Brandenburg. “I wish we could do it for the entire transport association,” Jarasch said. However, he expressly respects the critical attitude of the Brandenburg state government, he explained. Jarasch expressed the expectation that there would be a socially graduated offer for the national solution of a uniform local transport ticket.
Opposition representatives have voiced criticism of the move, which was negotiated under high pressure in the past two weeks at the urging of incumbent mayor Franziska Giffey (SPD), but which in the end seemed like a compromise. The leader of the AfD parliamentary group Kristin Brinker explained that the predictable lonely walk in Berlin endangers the transport association and causes permanent disputes, and the relief is only temporary.
The left also expresses criticism
Sibylle Meister, budget policy spokesperson for the FDP parliamentary group, reminded the Senate of “other mass construction sites for public transport” and accused it of not providing enough relief with the predictable ticket.
There were also critical tones from the coalition. Budget expert Steffen Zillich indicated that his parliamentary group is skeptical of the compromise solution that has now been found. Zillich explained that there was a “crooked picture of who will be exonerated”. “We have a hard time doing that,” explained Zillich and demanded that social ticket holders continue to be relieved. However, Zillich also explained: “The ticket is a relief in a situation where the burden is increasing rapidly.”
On Thursday, members of the supervisory board of the Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg (VBB) will discuss and make a decision on the 29-euro ticket to Berlin. It is expected that the ticket will only be valid in fare zone AB in the Berlin area and can only be used by season ticket holders. If you are not yet a subscriber, you can become one starting from 1 October and have a special right of withdrawal at the end of December. It is not yet clear whether there will be a national connecting ticket.
To the home page
–
