The passengers of the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV) have had to dig deeper into their pockets since January 1st.

Ticket prices rose by an average of 1.5 percent with the timetable change, and that was not only unavoidable, but urgently needed.

RMV customers also seem to be aware of this, because based on everything that can be said so far, they show a lot of understanding for this moderate increase.

Anything else would be foolish, after all, personnel and energy costs have risen by a significantly higher percentage in the past year.

However, the 1.5 percent is only an average value that refers to the tariff level for buses and trains as a whole.

Single tickets are ten cents more expensive in cities like Limburg, Fulda or Hanau, in Frankfurt a single ticket for adults is 55 cents more expensive and now costs 3.40 euros;

for a day ticket in the Main metropolis you now have to pay 6.65 euros instead of 5.50.

It is understandable that this shocks and annoys some occasional bus and train users.

But even these price increases have their justification and make sense.

Better yet, they are only half the truth.

Targeted help for those really in need

In Frankfurt, the former mayor Peter Feldmann (SPD) had promoted the subsidization of single tickets and day tickets and thus neglected the holders of season tickets - i.e. the loyal public transport customers.

This discount for infrequent drivers cost the city dearly.

The municipality had to contribute more than seven million euros last year, this year it would have been more than ten million.

With good reason, the Roman coalition of the Greens, SPD, FDP and Volt is now redirecting these subsidies in favor of low-income Frankfurters.

Especially since there is still a discount option for occasional passengers: With the new RMV discount card, which works like the Bahncard, single journeys and day tickets may even be cheaper than before.

What's more, poor Frankfurters in particular will be able to use local public transport much more cheaply in the new year.

The four-party alliance in the Römer has significantly reduced ticket prices for holders of the Frankfurt Pass, which is issued to the socially disadvantaged;

for some, this even results in a new 9-euro ticket.

Targeted help for the really needy instead of subsidies with the watering can, discounts for regular customers and not for occasional passengers, that's the right way in public transport.

This is exactly what the new tariffs stand for – in Frankfurt as well as in the RMV area as a whole.