The starting signal for the 9-euro ticket has been given. Travel throughout Germany is cheaper than ever. With a well-known railway expert, however, there is no jubilation. He explains why he keeps his hands off the savings ticket.

After tough negotiations between the federal and state governments about financing, the 9-euro ticket was launched last Wednesday. This means that local and regional transport can be used throughout Germany from June up to and including August. The rush is enormous, millions of Germans do not want to miss out on this bargain. Karl-Peter Naumann, a railway expert, is deliberately not participating in this – and for one reason.

Overcrowded trains: Bahn experts keep their hands off the 9-euro ticket

“I don’t feel like overcrowded trains that are late and where the connection doesn’t work,” says the honorary chairman of the Pro Bahn passenger association (source: Rheinische Post). In fact, Naumann is addressing a criticism of the 9-euro ticket that many other experts share: crowded trains. The railways, for example, have announced additional trains and service forces. But whether the 50 additional laneswhich the company has promised, can really cushion the expected rush, should at least be questionable.

To date, more than 7 million 9-euro tickets have been sold. Millions of people will now travel to Germany. Overcrowded trains are therefore likely to occur, especially on popular routes. For the ProBahn honorary chairman, that’s a reason to reject the 9-euro ticket: “I prefer to take the ICE to avoid local transport.”

What else you need to know about the 9-euro ticket:

Stumbling blocks with the 9-euro ticket

Although the principle behind the 9-euro ticket is simple, there are still a few stumbling blocks. According to Deutsche Bahn, for example, a regional train is not always the same as a regional train and under certain circumstances you can even travel illegally with a 9-euro ticket. Suitable connections can be found using a little trick in the DB app.