The German government will make it easier to move around the country for the summer months. Billions of euros are promised for transport. In Estonia, on the other hand, increases in child benefits are being considered.
15.6. 09: 00 • Updated 15.6. 09:56
FRANKFURT The train station pier flocks people to every departure. There are well-dressed office workers, students, families, tourists and then just those who are curious to set out to try out the local train offerings in their locality.
By Monday morning, passenger traffic feels exceptionally busy. Demand for rail and commuter traffic in German cities has increased by 10% thanks to a nine-euro monthly ticket.
A record-breaking ticket has already been bought by 16 million people. Even outside the cities, the flag attracts Germans to travel by public transport – especially now that motoring has become very expensive due to rising fuel costs.
Rising energy costs are heavily taxing German households. The German government wants to alleviate the cost burden with three support measures during the summer.
With a nine-euro ticket, you can travel all over the country
The record-breaking monthly ticket came into force in Germany on 1 June. It can be purchased for June, July and August. At EUR 9 per month, passengers can travel on all public transport, except long-distance trains, ie IC and ICE trains.
The ticket is valid throughout the country. In theory, the ticket could travel from one end of the country to the other. Non-residents in Germany are also entitled to it.
The country’s government will support the flag with 2.5 billion euros. However, many public transport service providers have suspected that the amount is not enough to cover higher fuel costs and additional shifts with additional working hours.
Primarily, the ticket is believed to serve low-income people and those who have to travel from peripheral areas to cities for work. The purpose of the ticket is to attract public transport users, especially people who do not move much on public roads.
Motorists are appeased at the gas station
Since the beginning of June, Germany has also been able to refuel cheaper. Through its support measures, the government reduced the price of petrol by approximately EUR 0.30 per liter and the price of diesel by EUR 0.14 per liter.
The price of petrol is now about 1.96 euros per liter. Automata In Germany, cheaper petrol is especially popular with commuters and transport companies, for example.
Many German families are also considering replacing their internal combustion engine car with an electric car. According to a survey published in early May, one in eight households would be willing to switch to an electric vehicle.
One-off support for families and low-income people
In addition, the German government will pay employees a one-off EUR 300 in September to meet increased electricity and heating bills. Families will also receive € 100 per child, which will be paid on top of the July child benefit.
Grants have been criticized not only as inadequate but also as unequal. For example, retirees are completely excluded from support, even though many of them are struggling with increased costs.
In addition, it is unclear what the coming autumn will look like and whether additional state support to cover German heating and energy costs may be promised. It is estimated that half of German homes are heated by gas, and Germany is still heavily dependent on Russian imported gas.
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