Anticipates Additional Increase in VBB Ticket Prices (According to the Chief)
In a recent statement, Christoph Heuing, the head of the Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association (VBB), has announced that ticket prices for local and regional transport in Berlin and Brandenburg are set to rise by an average of 6 percent next year. This increase, Heuing suggests, is due to inflation and energy costs over the past five years.
Heuing, however, cautions that extreme price increases may have negative effects on public transport demand, but a 6 percent increase is not expected to significantly decrease demand. This assertion remains unchallenged.
The VBB chief has been vocal about the current state of public transport services in the region, highlighting issues such as overcrowded trains, frequent breakdowns, and delays. Heuing attributes these problems to infrastructure neglect, particularly in the train sector.
Heuing finds higher ticket prices difficult to justify given the poor quality of public transport services. He criticizes the neglected infrastructure, particularly in the train sector, as being more neglected than roads.
In his view, society has focused too much on subsidized offers like the Germany ticket or Vienna's 365-euro ticket, while neglecting infrastructure issues. Heuing emphasizes the need to move away from discussions about these subsidized offers and focus on infrastructure improvement instead.
If inflation stabilizes at a low level, the extent of future fare increases will decrease, according to Heuing. However, further price increases are still expected in local and regional transport in Berlin and Brandenburg.
It's worth noting that people's mobility habits, not price developments, significantly influence demand for public transport in Berlin and Brandenburg. Therefore, a 6 percent price increase is not expected to significantly decrease demand.
Prices in local and regional transport are adjusted on January 1st of each year. The responsibility for the infrastructure of public transport in Berlin and Brandenburg primarily lies with Deutsche Bahn (DB) for rail-related infrastructure, as it is the federal mobility and transport corporation managing the railway network. Regional and local public transport infrastructure involvement also includes the Land Berlin under its Mobility Act and transport authorities, but Deutsche Bahn plays a central role in railway infrastructure.
In conclusion, while price increases are expected in local and regional transport in Berlin and Brandenburg, Heuing emphasizes the importance of focusing on infrastructure improvement rather than subsidized offers. Improving the quality of public transport services could help justify any potential price increases and ensure the sustainability of the public transport system in the long run.
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