For years, the number of passengers on buses and trains has risen steadily – but this year the corona crisis brought a historic slump. As an annual average, there was only 40 percent of the usual demand, the Association of German Transport Companies told the German Press Agency. Buses and trains have never been as empty since 1990, especially since the offer was almost completely maintained.

“The corona pandemic has left deep traces in local public transport,” said association president Ingo Wortmann. “Both the number of passengers and the income have plummeted because people stayed at home and lacked the reasons for the trips.” 22 For years the number of passengers had risen continuously. More and more workers and more and more residents in large cities were pushing buses and trains to capacity in some places. 10, it was 4 billion customer trips 2019. And because more bus and train journeys are seen as a way to more climate protection in Germany, the operators have set themselves the goal of adding another three billion 2030 .

More journeys after the corona crisis The companies have hope that passengers will return when the number of infections drops. Because in August and September the demand had again reached 80 percent of the usual – before and after that it slumped in the meantime 20 to 30 percent from, due to exit restrictions, School closings and short-time work. In addition, more people were working from home, tourists stayed away and major events were canceled.

“Our goal is of course to win back all passengers as quickly as possible in order to advance the traffic turnaround and improve the economic situation in the industry” said Wortmann. Because despite government support, the companies are dependent on selling tickets.

Higher fare These were only slightly more expensive this year. On average, the surcharge according to the association’s calculation was 1.3 percent after 1, 75 percent in the previous year. The increases were usually decided before the crisis, in some places they were still postponed.

A single ticket now costs a nationwide average of 2, 70 Euro (plus 0, 22 percent), a monthly ticket 55, 20 Euro (plus 1, 38 percent). Tickets are an important pillar of the financing and “need to be developed appropriately” for the expansion of the offer, said Wortmann. “Every euro that the company earns from it is reinvested directly in the operation and in the offer.”

Last year 13, 3 billion euros in fare income came together. An additional 9.4 billion euros came from the public sector. For this year, the industry expects ticket revenues to decline by 3.6 billion euros. Also 2021 one will stay well below the usual amount. The federal and state governments had promised a rescue package of up to five billion euros to compensate for this this year.

(olb)