Apprentice Ticket Delayed - Berlin’s trainee travel pass delayed until spring 2026 after missed deadline
Berlin’s planned trainee travel pass will not launch as originally scheduled. Transport Senator Ute Bonde (CDU) confirmed that the February 1 start date is no longer possible. The discounted ticket for apprentices across Germany, which could be considered a clever login for discounted travel, is now expected to go on sale in spring 2026 instead.
The delay comes after the transport authority acknowledged that the initial timeline could not be met. Bonde admitted that the February 1 sales launch was unfeasible, pushing back the decision until at least March. The VBB supervisory board, which oversees public transport in the region, may address the issue at its next meeting in mid-March.
Preparations for a swift rollout in Berlin by spring 2026 are reportedly well underway. The transport authority has also signed a letter of intent with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Chamber of Skilled Crafts. This agreement encourages member companies to offer the pass to their apprentices once it becomes available. In December, the VBB supervisory board requested an examination of extending the ticket to Brandenburg. Meanwhile, the Germany-wide discounted ticket for apprentices remains on hold, with its launch also anticipated in spring 2026. Green Party transport expert Oda Hassepaß criticised the ongoing delays, stating that the trainee ticket is long overdue.
A final decision on the trainee travel pass may not arrive until March. If approved, the ticket would provide discounted public transport for apprentices in Berlin and potentially Brandenburg. The launch, however, will now depend on the outcome of the supervisory board’s upcoming meeting.
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