Schokoticket: Cost-neutral replacement by the "DeutschlandTicket" not possible

In June, the city council had instructed the administration to exchange the so-called "Schokoticket" for pupils for a "DeutschlandTicket Schule", which is valid throughout Germany, at no extra cost. After examining the submitted contract, the administration informs that this is expected to result in an increase in costs for the city of Bocholt. The responsible transport company does not offer a corresponding contract at the same conditions.

Pupils of the municipal schools in Bocholt who are entitled to have their school travel costs paid receive bus tickets for local public transport from the school authority of the city of Bocholt. For pupils who come from the catchment area of the Rhine-Ruhr transport association (VRR), there is the "SchokoTicket". With this ticket, pupils can use buses and trains in the VRR area for school and leisure.

With the introduction of a Germany ticket for 49 euros, which is valid nationwide and is limited to one year, many public transport companies in Germany also offer this ticket for pupils. The advantage: the tickets are not only valid for regional local transport, but can be used for school and private journeys throughout Germany.

For this reason, the Bocholt city council discussed in mid-June whether the pupils of the city schools who live in the VRR area and have so far used the Schokoticket for school trips to Bocholt should receive the Deutschlandticket for a limited period of time.

Finally, it was decided that all pupils of municipal schools in Bocholt outside the VRR area whose monthly tickets have so far cost 49 euros or more should receive a Deutschlandticket. Pupils of municipal schools who live in the VRR area should also receive a Deutschlandticket instead of the previous Schokoticket; this change would be "cost-neutral for the school authority", and the own contributions would also remain unchanged.

However, after negotiations with the Rhine-Ruhr transport association and after enquiries with other municipalities in the district of Borken, this decision cannot be implemented in this form. The reason: a supplementary agreement with VRR would mean that the contributions could be "dynamically adjusted" for the city in the future. In addition, there is no provision for a time limit of one school year.

Deutschlandticket replaces more expensive monthly tickets

"For this reason, the administration cannot implement the city council's decision in this form," the city of Bocholt informs. The previous Schokoticket contract with VRR remains in force, and school transport continues to be guaranteed. Pupils on the Westfalen tariff will, as decided, receive the Deutschlandticket - provided their monthly ticket has so far cost more than 49 euros.