Germany’s 49-euro ticket frenzy is just around the corner, with presales available from April 3 and the scheme beginning on May 1. But with widespread criticism that the ticket is still too expensive, five large German companies have announced that their employees should be able to get the ticket for a discounted price.

49-euro ticket cheaper for some German workers

Workers at five international companies in Germany will likely have their 49-euro ticket costs subsidised by their employers, according to the Rheinische Post. Employees at Bayer-Konzern will be able to get their monthly tickets to use all regional, long-distance trains and local public transport in Germany for the reduced price of 34,30 euros a month. Speaking to Rheinische Post, a Bayer-Konzern representative said that the news was met with a “unanimous positive response” from employees.

Mobile communications provider Vodafone and insurance provider Ergo announced plans for similar policies, though they have not yet revealed how much the ticket will be discounted. “We are aiming for advantageous offers for our employees,” said a Vodafone spokesperson, “And [we] are in negotiations to that effect”.

Though employees at Deutsche Post in Bonn were already entitled to a subsidised public transport “Jobticket” through their employer, they are now likely to benefit from a similar scheme to workers at the aforementioned companies. For employees at public broadcaster WDR in Cologne, the Deutschlandticket will be available for just 15 euros per month.

Telekom to discontinue Jobticket from May

Telekom however, another of Germany’s largest employers, has not only decided not to jump on the 49-euro bandwagon but is using the 49-euro ticket naissance as a reason to discontinue their current Jobticket offer for employees.

Telekom workers who currently subscribe to the reduced-price transport Jobticket through their employer will now have to fork out the whole 49 euros themselves. The company said that a new subsidy scheme was not planned since the Deutschlandticket is a “much more flexible and also cheaper alternative”.

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