Starting Wednesday, apprentices in Berlin can use a discounted version of the Deutschlandticket. This option will also be available soon in Brandenburg. (File photo)
© dpa
Starting this Wednesday, apprentices in Berlin can use a discounted version of the Deutschlandticket.
Students attending a vocational school in the capital pay only 37.80 euros per month for a local transit pass valid throughout Germany, instead of the current standard rate of 63 euros, according to the Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association (VBB). The state covers the difference.
Not only apprentices can take advantage of the discount, but also those completing a voluntary social or environmental year in Berlin or Brandenburg, or participating in the Federal Volunteer Service. The situation is a bit more complicated for students in a dual training program. In this case, it depends on whether their employer offers the so-called "Jobticket" version of the Deutschlandticket. Under this option, the company pays the apprentices a subsidy of at least 22.05 euros. The transit company then also grants a five percent discount on the regular ticket price, so that apprentices also pay a maximum of 37.80 per month. However, not every employer offers this option.
These passes can be purchased from public transportation companies in Berlin and Brandenburg. In Berlin, they have been available from the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) since June 1. In Brandenburg, the discounted "Deutschlandticket Zuschuss Ausbildung" will not be valid until August 1. However, it has been available for purchase since July 1.