Unequal rules for the Deutschlandticket: What students in Saxony-Anhalt need to know!

Unequal rules for the Deutschlandticket: What students in Saxony-Anhalt need to know!

In Saxony-Anhalt there is a colorful chaos of rules when it comes to the Germany ticket for students. While some districts moved quickly into implementation immediately after the ticket was launched on May 1, 2023, others are putting the brakes on it. The different regulations do not exactly contribute to clear handling and fairness.

Nine districts in the region allow the use of the Deutschlandticket as part of school transport. Many students benefit in these areas: for example, there are around 6,800 students in the Harz district and around 8,500 in the Börde district who can use the ticket. In June, 7,196 students in the Burgenland district received access to this discounted ticket. Around 9,800 students in the Saale district are also happy about the Deutschlandticket. However, there are also real exceptions: in two districts and in the independent cities of Magdeburg, Halle and Dessau-Roßlau, the ticket remains an unattainable dream for students.

Regulations in detail

The cost of the Deutschlandticket depends not only on the district, but also largely on the distance between home and school. In the Stendal district, for example, students in classes 1 to 4 have to travel more than 2 kilometers and students in classes 5 to 10 have to travel more than 5 kilometers to school in order to receive the ticket. This means that there are different eligibility requirements. In the Saale district there is a limit of 2 kilometers for classes 1 to 4 and a limit of 3 kilometers for classes 5 to 10.

The users experience a real game of chance. While in the Börde district students with a long journey to school receive a free ticket, others in Magdeburg have to make do with a reduced monthly subscription ticket for 9 euros, which is only valid within the city. There is great discontent among parents and students here.

Criticism and suggestions for improvement

The Pro Bahn passenger association regularly draws attention to this inequality and speaks of solutions that are sometimes not customer-friendly. Tom Bruchholz, consultant for Saxony-Anhalt, recently even called for a reduced Germany ticket for schoolchildren, students and those doing voluntary service. However, this faces political obstacles, as more financial resources would be needed to offer such benefits, as Marego also points out.

Another vexing issue is the possibility of “upgrading” the existing ticket. In some counties this is possible, but in others it is not. The Mansfeld-Südharz district rejects an upgrade simply because the administrative effort is too high. In urban areas such as Magdeburg and Halle, there is no option for an upgrade, which puts pressure on students and their families to find suitable solutions despite the uneven handling.

So it remains to be seen whether policymakers will respond to the needs and demands of students and parents. One thing is certain: the implementation of the Deutschlandticket in Saxony-Anhalt is still in its early stages and there is a lot to be done so that all students are treated fairly and can benefit from the advantages.

For further information, you can find the sources here: n-tv, MDR, Jusos Sachsen-Anhalt.