Promotion of the Social Ticket in Public Local Transport (Social Ticket Guidelines 2011)

The Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia supports the introduction and cost coverage of social tickets in local public transport (ÖPNV) with a grant. The objective is to ensure barrier-free mobility for low-income population groups while simultaneously strengthening municipal transport structures, accompanied by digital planning approaches within the framework of Smart Cities & Regions. Eligible to apply are districts, independent cities, as well as special-purpose associations formed for public transport, which have already introduced a social ticket or have binding plans for the funding year. The fixed-amount financing is based on the proportion of benefit recipients under SGB II, SGB XII, the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act, or war victims’ welfare in the respective area. The fully completed funding application must be submitted to the responsible district government by September 15 of the previous year.

Only expenses for the social tickets themselves are eligible for funding, in order to achieve a price-reducing effect or to compensate for revenue shortfalls in local public transport. Personnel and material costs, administrative expenses, and external consulting are not eligible. A prerequisite is that the social ticket includes at least one travel entitlement for a district or an independent city and offers differentiated social tariffs. Upon positive approval, the payment is made in two annual installments (May 1 and October 1). The grant recipients document the use of funds in accordance with VV/VVG pursuant to § 44 LHO, thereby ensuring transparency and sustainable participation in mobility. Through this funding program, North Rhine-Westphalia contributes to increasing social inclusion and developing local public transport in a future-proof manner.