Can public transport go “public”?

The realm of ground transport is in upheaval. Increased need for affordable commutes to and from work is rooted to one side by higher fuel costs and on the other side by overall consumer price inflation and extreme cost-of-living hikes. People need to be economically active to earn a living, but if they cannot get to work or commuting to work costs too much, the economy becomes stifled in yet another way. Enter the public transport system. A combination of climate issues, lifestyle changes wrought by Covid-19 lockdowns, and now this year’s alarming fuel price rises have been pushing many countries to rethink or boost established people mover systems. In Germany this spring, the parliament approved a plan to temporarily cut transportation costs to ease the burden of the increasing global energy prices. Dubbed “9 for 90”, the 9-euro ticket can be used across Germany with all city and regional