From January 1st, low-income Frankfurters should be able to use the Frankfurt Pass even more cheaply on buses and trains.

Head of Social Affairs Elke Voitl and Head of Mobility Stefan Majer (both Die Grünen) propose to the city councilors that people who are entitled to the Frankfurt Pass can in future buy season tickets for the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV) for 30 percent of the regular price.

The approval of the Roman coalition of Greens, SPD, FDP and Volt seems certain.

Ralph Euler

Editor in the Rhein-Main-Zeitung, responsible for the Rhein-Main section of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sunday newspaper.

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People with a low income and whose main place of residence is in Frankfurt can apply for the free Frankfurt Pass.

The card allows you to visit the zoo, museums, indoor and outdoor pools, theaters and other leisure facilities at reduced prices.

The city has so far paid holders of the Frankfurt Pass a fixed subsidy for the use of buses and trains;

depending on the type of ticket in different amounts.

With the forthcoming decision of the city council, standardization would be achieved and the Frankfurt Pass holders would be relieved in the long term.

"Mobility must be affordable for everyone"

According to Voitl and Majer, the city's Frankfurt Pass budget is currently 5.7 million euros.

Of this, around 3.2 million euros were used to subsidize RMV season tickets before Corona in 2019.

As a result of the new regulation, this sum is expected to increase to EUR 9.8 million in 2023.

The two city councilors think this is justified.

"Mobility must be affordable for everyone," says a joint statement.

The additional discount for Frankfurt Pass holders makes sense both socially and ecologically.

Voitl, head of the social affairs department, says that the current sharp rise in the cost of living poses huge challenges for individuals and especially families on low incomes.

For these people, the city's offer means noticeable financial relief and enables them to remain mobile despite the financial pressure.

Benefits for students and seniors

For students and seniors with a Frankfurt Pass, the planned new regulation means the introduction of a nine-euro ticket, calculates Majer.

They then received the student ticket or the Hesse senior citizen card for EUR 109.50 per year.

Adults with a Frankfurt Pass can be mobile with the annual pass, which is valid from 9 a.m. for the equivalent of less than 17 euros a month.

According to the city, the standard price for a transferable RMV monthly ticket will be EUR 97.90 from next year.

The student ticket or senior citizen ticket, both of which entitle you to travel throughout Hesse, costs 365 euros at the regular price.

With the Frankfurt Pass, a non-transferable monthly ticket currently costs EUR 67.25, while the student ticket and senior citizen ticket are currently available for EUR 239.