The Germany subscription upgrade: As a STOAG subscriber, use local and regional transport nationwide for two weeks

The transport companies and associations say thank you for the loyalty of their regular customers in times of the pandemic: With the Germany subscription upgrade, public transport subscribers can use local and regional transport by bus and train nationwide from 13 to 26 September 2021 use - without any additional costs. All that is required for the one-time upgrade is online registration, which is now possible at www.besserweiter.de/abo-upgrade.

The nationwide joint campaign #BesserWeiter, which the federal, state, municipal umbrella organizations and transport companies under the leadership of the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) have been implementing since the beginning of the pandemic, aims to further strengthen customer confidence in local public transport. The campaign, which is unique in this form, is an important component, explains VDV President Ingo Wortmann: “For us as an industry, the focus in the coming months will be on recruiting passengers. Of course, we continue to keep a close eye on the development of the pandemic. However, we know from numerous national and international scientific studies that there is no increased risk of infection in public transport. For the future, it is crucial that public transport is used more intensively again so that it can make its contribution to climate protection, ”continues Ingo Wortmann.

With the gradual openings and a return to everyday life, the number of passengers has also increased again since summer, in Oberhausen they are now back at around 75% of the demand that was usual before Corona.

A thank you for regular passengers

The corona-related slump in passenger numbers has led to significant revenue shortfalls for the transport companies, which were largely absorbed by two rescue packages from the federal and state governments in 2020 and 2021. "It is thanks to our many loyal passengers who did not cancel their subscriptions despite the pandemic that the losses were not even higher," summarizes Werner Overkamp, ​​STOAG Managing Director and VDV Vice President. "With the Germany subscription upgrade, a so far unique campaign by the transport companies and associations, the industry thanks them."

Despite rising incidences: passengers and trust are returning

For over a year, an independent market research institute has been collecting the so-called bus and rail trust index on a regular basis. It shows the current level of passenger trust and how it is developing over a longer period of time. The data basis for this is provided by a survey series representative of the population. The survey at the end of August brought the highest confidence level of all previous measurements with 49,3 points. The low was measured in December 2020 at 41,6. In addition to the passengers who have been returning to buses and trains for months, people's trust in public transport is slowly increasing again.

The action in detail: Start of the European mobility week

The Germany subscription upgrade is valid for two weeks. The campaign period begins punctually for the start of the European Mobility Week on Monday, September 13th and runs through Sunday, September 26th, 2021. All STOAG passengers with valid subscription tickets are eligible. To take part, customers have to register once on the #BesserWeiter website. This is now possible. The subscription upgrade will then be sent by email as a ticket. In combination with the valid local public transport subscription, you can travel in around 95 percent of all transport associations and transport companies during the campaign period, at no additional cost. STOAG subscribers can, for example, use local transport in Hamburg, Berlin or Munich free of charge.

Discounts also for long-distance trips

In order to also travel cheaply with ICE, IC or EC, subscribers to local public transport can also purchase a trial BahnCard for three months at a discounted price of 9,90 euros during the promotional period. Registration for this is now also possible. All information about the Germany subscription upgrade is available at www.besserweiter.de/abo-upgrade.