In Germany, the federal and state governments have agreed on the cornerstones of the successor to the so-called nine-euro ticket. This will cost 49 euros per month in the future and is expected to be introduced on January 1, 2023. Flixbus is now putting pressure on you to be integrated accordingly.
It won't be as easy as it was in June, July and August 2022, because the 49-euro ticket, which will also only be valid in regional transport, is to be sold as a subscription. Although it has already been determined that a monthly cancellation will be possible, the use is then no longer as easy and flexible.
The nine-euro ticket could be easily bought online, via apps, at machines, counters or from bus drivers. No further commitments were made because it was automatically invalid at the end of the month. The agreement in principle between the federal and state governments stipulates that the 49-euro ticket must be purchased as a subscription in the future. In concrete terms, this means that if you forget to cancel, the means of payment will be automatically charged and the ticket will be extended by another month. This may be practical for transport associations, but passengers are deprived of flexibility.
In contrast to the Austrian climate ticket, the German 49-euro ticket will not be valid for long-distance traffic. In the Federal Republic of Germany, the incomprehensible separation between local and long-distance transport has been made for many years with network tickets. Exactly this point also seems to bother the long-distance bus provider Flixbus, because so far one has stayed – just like with the nine-euro ticket -left out.
The management argues that in many regions there is no significant rail traffic and Flixbus would currently offer the fastest connection to larger cities. Furthermore, in areas where you are in direct competition, you see the risk that you cannot keep up financially. You would drive against almost free, but highly subsidized, local transport. It is therefore not surprising that Europe's largest long-distance bus operator is threatening to discontinue routes within Germany.
Flixbus wants to ensure that you are included in the 49-euro ticket and thus close a gap between local and long-distance transport. It is also argued that the buses could relieve some of the congested regional rail traffic. Corresponding negotiations with the federal government have already begun. However, it remains to be seen whether this will lead to Flixbus being included in the future subscription ticket.
In Austria, Flixbus is not included in the climate ticket
The long-distance bus provider, whose domestic courses Blaguss Reisen and Dr. Richard perform as concessionaires under distribution agreements, also not included. This was done by the largest private bus company, Dr. Richard, heavily criticized. However, the Austrian Ministry of Transport sees no reason to include long-distance bus routes, as it is of the opinion that the Austrian Federal Railways would have the better offer anyway and long-distance buses are not trains and therefore do not quite fit in with the so-called climate plans.
But it is not entirely true that no long-distance bus lines are included in the climate ticket. For example, the ÖBB intercity bus between Graz and Klagenfurt can be used with the network card. Also on that of Dr. The ticket is valid on the routes operated by Richard between Vienna and southern Burgenland. Further examples are express buses within Tyrol and the connection of southern Burgenland to Graz and Wiener Neustadt.
In contrast to the German plans, long-distance rail services from ÖBB, Westbahn, Regiojet and almost all private railways are included in Austria. Exceptions are, for example, tourist routes and the City Airport Train. In the field of buses, the Vienna Airport Lines, which are operated by the ÖBB subsidiary Österreichische Postbus AG, are not included. Furthermore, all international long-distance bus lines, for example from Regiojet, Flixbus, Eurolines, Slovak Lines and other providers, are also excluded.