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This is a massive change and a huge improvement for a lot of people. This isn't directly because of the price, although there is some reduction in price to the

This is a massive change and a huge improvement for a lot of people. This isn't directly because of the price, although there is some reduction in price to the current system, but because it simplifies the ridiculous pricing zones. For example, Berlin is split up into 3 different pricing zones: A, B, C. If you need a monthly subscription for zones A and B you'd pay 63 Euros per month. If you live just across the state border from Berlin in Brandenburg, which still is technically one continuous urban area, you're classified in Zone C and now need to pay 83 Euros. This is still somewhat simple compared to some other combination. You can see all the zones on Wikipedia. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_German_transport_associations https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_German_transport_ass...

rco8786 4y ago
I got nailed by this in Munich as a tourist. It was so confusing to figure out which zone (and subzone?) my ticket was actually valid for and I ended up having to pay a fine. I am reasonably well traveled and not a stranger to public transit but that one got me.
- dj_mc_merlin 4y ago
  Yes, Munich has (had?) 6 zones. It's quite confusing. Surprised you had to pay as a tourist -- the usual trick we did as expats is pretend we don't speak German. Usually got away with a 5 euro fine.
  - someweirdperson 4y ago
    Using public transport without the correct ticket is a criminal offense (Straftat) in Germany. It's not just a matter of paying an increased fee (that's the 5 Euro) when caught. The current minister of justice is considering to analyze if the law can be changed to make it just a misdemeanor (Ordnungwidrigkeit).
    - dj_mc_merlin 4y ago
      In practical terms however, it is very much just a matter of paying the fine and the ticket controllers do let tourists go sometimes (not the ones which do it as a prison work, but others do). Yes, there's stories about people going to prison for it, but usually they got caught a million times and refused to pay. I know a person like that.
    - nkmnz 4y ago
      don't scare people :) it's not a criminal offense if you forget your purse or buy the wrong ticket. It's a criminal offense if you enter the public transit knowing that you don't have a ticket and willing to break the law. That said, the increased fee is usually 60€ and criminal charges are usually only pressed for routine offenders and those not paying their fines. That said, I fully support Buschmann's initiative. Best minister of justice since a really long time.
- weinzierl 4y ago
  Haha, I lived in Munich for many years and still got burned. I was on the wrong train and noticed after a single station along the wrong branch. No biggie, got off the train and hopped on the next one back to the station I came from. Got fined because it turned out my ticket only allowed travel in one direction, not backwards. Most expensive kilometer of my live. Had I known, I had walked the short distance between the stations.

rco8786 4y ago

I got nailed by this in Munich as a tourist. It was so confusing to figure out which zone (and subzone?) my ticket was actually valid for and I ended up having to pay a fine. I am reasonably well traveled and not a stranger to public transit but that one got me.

dj_mc_merlin 4y ago
Yes, Munich has (had?) 6 zones. It's quite confusing. Surprised you had to pay as a tourist -- the usual trick we did as expats is pretend we don't speak German. Usually got away with a 5 euro fine.
- someweirdperson 4y ago
  Using public transport without the correct ticket is a criminal offense (Straftat) in Germany. It's not just a matter of paying an increased fee (that's the 5 Euro) when caught. The current minister of justice is considering to analyze if the law can be changed to make it just a misdemeanor (Ordnungwidrigkeit).
  - dj_mc_merlin 4y ago
    In practical terms however, it is very much just a matter of paying the fine and the ticket controllers do let tourists go sometimes (not the ones which do it as a prison work, but others do). Yes, there's stories about people going to prison for it, but usually they got caught a million times and refused to pay. I know a person like that.
  - nkmnz 4y ago
    don't scare people :) it's not a criminal offense if you forget your purse or buy the wrong ticket. It's a criminal offense if you enter the public transit knowing that you don't have a ticket and willing to break the law. That said, the increased fee is usually 60€ and criminal charges are usually only pressed for routine offenders and those not paying their fines. That said, I fully support Buschmann's initiative. Best minister of justice since a really long time.
weinzierl 4y ago
Haha, I lived in Munich for many years and still got burned. I was on the wrong train and noticed after a single station along the wrong branch. No biggie, got off the train and hopped on the next one back to the station I came from. Got fined because it turned out my ticket only allowed travel in one direction, not backwards. Most expensive kilometer of my live. Had I known, I had walked the short distance between the stations.