Foreigners Face Hurdles Buying Germany’s €49 Deutschlandticket
Germany’s widely popular €49 Deutschlandticket is designed to offer affordable and convenient access to public transportation across the country. Since its launch in May, the ticket has seen significant success, leading to a 25 per cent increase in passenger numbers on regional trains. However, some foreign individuals have faced challenges in purchasing this ticket due to issues associated with their International Bank Account Number (IBAN). This article explores the problem of “IBAN discrimination” and its impact on certain customers with foreign bank accounts.
IBAN Discrimination and Payment Challenges
The €49 Deutschlandticket is processed through the SEPA direct debit scheme, which occasionally creates difficulties for customers with foreign bank accounts. When inputting their non-German IBANs, customers often encounter error messages preventing them from completing the purchase. This discrepancy primarily affects customers from countries like Belgium, Lithuania, and Poland due to varying IBAN formats.
Prohibited Practice under EU Regulations
It’s important to highlight that the European SEPA regulation, effective since 2014 across 36 European countries, explicitly prohibits the rejection of certain IBANs. Banks, merchants, and authorities are required to accept IBANs, ensuring a fair and consistent payment system for everyone. Despite this regulation, some transportation companies in Germany have struggled to fully comply.
Transdev and Other Companies’ Involvement
Transdev, Germany’s second-largest railway and bus company, has been at the centre of complaints regarding the inability to purchase the €49 ticket with foreign bank details. Other companies, such as Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) and Wupsi, have also faced similar grievances. In contrast, Deutsche Bahn accepts foreign bank details, indicating that the issue may stem from outdated IT systems and processing methods.
Actions Taken and Solutions
The Central Office for Unfair Competition, known as the Wettbewerbszentrale, has been investigating these cases and advocating for resolutions. The association has successfully resolved most of the cases it has addressed, leading to improved acceptance of foreign bank details by transportation companies. Transdev has acknowledged the issue and is actively working to resolve the IBAN discrimination problem, promising a solution.
State-by-State Discounts on the €49 Deutschlandticket
In addition to the nationwide €49 ticket, several German states are considering offering discounted versions for specific groups:
- Baden-Württemberg: Youth ticket for those under 21, providing unlimited daily state travel for €1.
- Bavaria: Plans to offer students and apprentices in the state a €29 per month discounted version of the €49 ticket, valid nationwide.
- Berlin and Brandenburg: Negotiating a €29 monthly inner-city ticket, and Brandenburg includes dogs on public transport with the €49 ticket at no extra cost.
- Bremen: Discussing a possible €29 ticket for students and trainees, with details yet to be finalized.
- Hamburg: Offers various discounts, including a €19 ticket for schoolchildren and a €29 ticket for apprentices, both valid nationwide.
- Hesse: Introducing a reduced ticket for statewide transport for individuals on benefits, priced at €31 per month.
- Mecklenburg-West Pomerania: Developing a €365 per year “pensioner ticket” for pensioners residing in the state, valid nationwide.
- Lower Saxony: Introducing a €30 per month discounted €49 ticket for certain groups, with a planned student and trainee discount in 2024.
- North-Rhine Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate: Ongoing discussions regarding discounts for various groups.
- Saarland: Offering the “Junge-Leute” ticket for young people at €30.40 per month and a reduced ticket for low-income individuals at €39.
- Thuringia: Developing a discounted student semester ticket for nationwide travel and considering a €28 ticket for students and trainees, potentially nationwide.
Ensuring fair access to transportation is vital. Transportation companies, including Transdev, must update IT systems for all IBAN formats. German states are also exploring discounted tickets to maintain accessibility for everyone.
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