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Millions snap up new Germany-wide public transit ticket

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Re: Millions snap up new Germany-wide public transit ticket

#151

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, not going to be the norm. Because a) 49 >> 9 b) the 9 Euro ticket was a one-time novelty

And Frankfurt -> Alps is not regional transport, but inter-city at least. So faster option would have been ICE and going 250km/h. More expensive though, for sure. And a seat reservation for a few euros.

150 EUR vs 9 EUR and one still had to use slow regional trains once reaching Ulm so it was not that much different time-wise to justify much higher cost. Regional Express trains I used from Frankfurt to Ulm are also pretty fast (not ICE level, but not much time lost either).

Re: Millions snap up new Germany-wide public transit ticket

#152
post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It seems like you do not realize that the 30 year olds who don’t flip burgers and make more than minimum age were once those 19 year olds whose career you’ve delayed by 1 year.

It's the system the democratic voters have voted to keep.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argumentum_ad_populum

Is this even something people voted on directly or is it just one point among many in each party’s total stance to vote for?

Re: Millions snap up new Germany-wide public transit ticket

#153
post #132

While in Germany last summer, I used the 9 EUR ticket and regional trains to go from Frankfurt to Bavarian Alps. The trains were packed, one could not move there and it felt more like being in India than in Germany. I am wondering if that's going to be a norm in the future.

It is a good thing if people actually fill up the trains and get value out of them. While empty trains are comfortable, they are an inefficiency. The 9€ ticket showed that people would really like to be more mobile ´if they could afford it. Making this possible creates value for society.

Re: Millions snap up new Germany-wide public transit ticket

#154
post #141
post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What is complex about the B/C border? That Hönow is B? Because else, it is literary the federal state border. A/B is the S-Bahn-Ring. Sure, three zones are not super simple and where zone C ends is somewhat arbitrary. But aside from that, it's the most logical and simple solution possible.

Generally, I agree, it isn't very complicated to understand. But, it's very easy to forget to buy a C ticket if you're used to hopping on the U-bahn with your monthly AB ticket.

The announcement mentions you do need it when announcing the stop. By then it is prob too late, though.

If you use the bvg app it tells you which ticket you need for any destination, but non-locals might not know that.

Re: Millions snap up new Germany-wide public transit ticket

#155

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even more: Public transport is a public good which should be funded by fossil fuel taxes and provided to users without cost.

Why is it a public good? It only benefits the individuals who are travelling. If I take the train to visit my sister, I don't see how that is in the public's interest.

It’s in the public interest because we want you to choose a greener more sustainable transport option, such as the train.

Re: Millions snap up new Germany-wide public transit ticket

#156

The biggest advantage of the new Germany-wide ticket is not the price, but rather that it simplifies things. This is a map of German public transit companies: [0]. I've heard the current fractured system be compared to the Holy Roman Empire. Every little region has its own ticketing system. If you arrive in a new city, you have to figure out how to buy local transit tickets, often with quite complicated rules (e.g.,…

A good example of this complexity is Berlin. Many people have monthly passes for just A and B zones, which comprise the bulk of central Berlin. However, the new airport is just over the border in zone C, which requires an additional ticket. The transit authority knows this and will catch and fine people who neglected or forgot to buy a B to C ticket.

If you think that Berlin's zone system is complex, you haven't seen the public transport in many other cities like Munich which has 6 zones or Japanese cities where trains are operated by different companies.

Berlin's system is rather simple and comparably cheap.

Re: Millions snap up new Germany-wide public transit ticket

#157
post #111

The biggest advantage of the new Germany-wide ticket is not the price, but rather that it simplifies things. This is a map of German public transit companies: [0]. I've heard the current fractured system be compared to the Holy Roman Empire. Every little region has its own ticketing system. If you arrive in a new city, you have to figure out how to buy local transit tickets, often with quite complicated rules (e.g.,…

And for visitors who may not even speak the primary language, public transit is awful in most places in terms of onboarding jet lagged visitors. Apparently no one does UX trials of people who have zero familiarity with the system and don't speak the language--though at least they maybe accommodate major Western languages. But, in general, it's pretty awful and you at least should do some research in advance.

Every transit system should have a “tourist day pass” that is moderately expensive but allows you to use anything for 24 hours or so.

Re: Millions snap up new Germany-wide public transit ticket

#158
post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A good example of this complexity is Berlin. Many people have monthly passes for just A and B zones, which comprise the bulk of central Berlin. However, the new airport is just over the border in zone C, which requires an additional ticket. The transit authority knows this and will catch and fine people who neglected or forgot to buy a B to C ticket.

What is complex about the B/C border? That Hönow is B? Because else, it is literary the federal state border. A/B is the S-Bahn-Ring. Sure, three zones are not super simple and where zone C ends is somewhat arbitrary. But aside from that, it's the most logical and simple solution possible.

Do you mean that the airport is outside of Germany? Or what else is "federal state border"? And what is a S-Bahn ring anyways?

I visit Germany often and yet this makes no sense to me. Don't assume it's so simple for everyone.

Re: Millions snap up new Germany-wide public transit ticket

#159
post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Generally, I agree, it isn't very complicated to understand. But, it's very easy to forget to buy a C ticket if you're used to hopping on the U-bahn with your monthly AB ticket.

The announcement mentions you do need it when announcing the stop. By then it is prob too late, though. If you use the bvg app it tells you which ticket you need for any destination, but non-locals might not know that.

> The announcement mentions you do need it when announcing the stop. By then it is prob too late, though.

Not on all lines. If I remember correctly, I have only heard it on the new announcements for the BER airport. And, they actually tell you on time so you have a chance to buy an extension ticket.

Re: Millions snap up new Germany-wide public transit ticket

#160

The biggest advantage of the new Germany-wide ticket is not the price, but rather that it simplifies things. This is a map of German public transit companies: [0]. I've heard the current fractured system be compared to the Holy Roman Empire. Every little region has its own ticketing system. If you arrive in a new city, you have to figure out how to buy local transit tickets, often with quite complicated rules (e.g.,…

Exactly.

The new ticket is an excellent example of when national government can be superior to more local government: when the national government forces coordination to solve fragmentation problems, where local agencies lacked the...motivation to solve things on their own.

On a technical level, it was always possible for different transit agencies to cooperate to simplify things for consumers, but they didn't, and likely never would, at least not on this level. A complex system per locality can still work okay for local residents; and if it's painful for visitors, well, visitors don't vote, and it's not the kind of thing that's likely to kill tourism.

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