End of the 9-Euro Fund: Affordable Transport Initiative Concludes

The long-anticipated 9-Euro Fund, designed to facilitate affordable public transportation across Germany, has come to an abrupt end after nearly two and a half years of operation.

The initiative, which allowed individuals to register online and pay a monthly fee of 9 euros, aimed to reimburse users who were penalized for traveling without a ticket. Between its inception in September 2022 and its closure on February 23, 2025, the fund covered over 4,000 penalty fares and replaced approximately 35,000 tickets.

The roots of the 9-Euro Fund can be traced back to the widespread public outcry following the discontinuation of the original 9-Euro Ticket in August 2022. This decision sparked significant protests across the nation, culminating in a major demonstration on August 27, where many advocated for the permanent continuation of the low-cost travel option. The ticket had provided vital mobility for financially constrained individuals, permitting unlimited travel via regional trains for just 9 euros monthly.

Despite the inconveniences that came with it--such as overcrowded trains and subpar service--many saw the ticket as a beacon of hope for affordable transportation. Advocacy groups, including social initiatives and climate justice organizations, rallied to preserve this essential public transport option. They emphasized the need for equitable mobility and a transformative approach to public transportation that aligned with ecological goals.

In a spirit of self-determination, the initiators of the 9-Euro Fund sought to maintain the benefits of the original ticket. They navigated various organizational and legal challenges to formally establish the fund under the auspices of a political party, thereby ensuring its protection from prosecution. The fund was also eligible for government support, as its contributions were classified as party donations.

However, as of 2025, the optimism surrounding the potential reinstatement of a government-backed 9-Euro Ticket has waned, leading to the decision to dissolve the fund. The existing Deutschlandticket now costs 58 euros per month and may rise further in the coming year. The founders of the 9-Euro Fund lament that the vision of affordable and sustainable mobility has been overshadowed by a lack of political will.

In their statement regarding the fund's closure, the organizers urged continued support for initiatives that could exert greater political influence, such as the Sanktionsfrei initiative, which aims to create a climate fund for those on social benefits, thereby redistributing the financial burden posed by rising carbon prices. They also highlighted the need to assist the Freiheitsfonds, which aids individuals incarcerated due to unpaid fines, including those penalized for fare evasion. Estimates suggest that between 8,000 to 9,000 people are incarcerated annually for such offenses, and the termination of the 9-Euro Fund means that those affected will no longer receive any financial protection against penalties.