In order to pass on the VAT reduction to its passengers, the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund is refraining from adjusting fares for the time being. More protection against coronavirus is provided by a mask requirement in the conditions of carriage and greatly improved online services.
2020 was and is dominated by the coronavirus. This affects almost all areas of life - including local transport. And there is good news here in particular: For the first time in its 25-year history, the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV) is foregoing the usual fare adjustments at this time of year. In concrete terms, this means that fares will remain stable until 30 June 2021. By postponing the fare adjustment, the association is passing on the temporary VAT reduction simply and unbureaucratically. "All other procedures would have involved a disproportionate amount of effort, such as complicated refunds for season ticket holders," says Anne Müller-Kreutz, Head of Local Transport Services at Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG), explaining the procedure.
Important innovation: official mask requirement
RMV has also adapted the common conditions of carriage to the new situation - the obligation to wear a mask will become part of the contract of carriage. As a result, from January 2021, ticket inspectors can levy a contractual penalty of 50 euros if they encounter passengers without a mask or if they are wearing one incorrectly on the bus. Of course, people who are unable to wear a face mask for health reasons are exempt from the obligation. However, a medical certificate is required for this. "To be clear - by making masks compulsory, SWG and RMV are jointly pursuing the primary goal of protecting all passengers in the best possible way," explains Anne Müller-Kreutz. Consequently, the test personnel will proceed with a sense of proportion and sensitivity.
Contactless payment
Cashless payment is another way of reducing the number of infections. RMV has improved the existing options for this. For example, the mobile phone ticket with the still relatively new prepaid discount. This is particularly beneficial for those who previously travelled to and from the office by bus and train every day, but now often work from home and only need the bus two or three days a week. "For this group of people, a monthly pass may no longer be worthwhile," says Anne Müller-Kreutz. This is exactly where the prepaid discount for single journeys comes into play.
What does that mean in figures? "For customers, the prepaid discount is equivalent to a 20 per cent discount on single tickets and single supplements," explains Anne Müller-Kreutz. To benefit from the discount, you need to top up a credit balance of at least 40 euros in the RMV app. Users then use this to pay for the tickets they need, which are available at correspondingly more favourable conditions. This means that people who only ever travel within Giessen can travel for free every sixth time. The prerequisites for using the prepaid discount are a meinRMV customer account and a smartphone with the RMV app.
Even more digitalisation
Buying tickets online is also an effective way of reducing contact. And it's also extremely convenient. Especially as RMV has significantly simplified the digital purchase of season tickets, the Hesse schoolchildren's ticket and the Hesse senior citizens' ticket. Among other things, the completely revised online shop, which is now optimised for use on smartphones, shortens the process enormously. The system knows which tickets are available individually and only offers tickets with proof of authorisation if this is stored in the meinRMV customer account. The new shop also boasts enhanced filter functions for the range of tickets, allowing passengers to find their desired ticket even faster. "With the renovated online shop, we can offer a convenient and, above all, contact-free alternative to buying tickets on the bus from the driver," says Anne Müller-Kreutz.
RMV mobility centre can help
Despite coronavirus, there are many good reasons to leave the car at home and take the bus. SWG and its local transport subsidiary MIT.BUS are taking numerous measures to ensure safe bus travel even in these times. For example, all vehicles are cleaned and thoroughly sanitised every day.
The staff at the RMV mobility centre in the SWG customer centre on Marktplatz can help with all questions relating to mobility. The new timetable book is also available here for a nominal fee of 1 euro. Current opening hours: Mondays to Fridays from 9 am to 6 pm. During this time, the advisors can also be reached by telephone: 0641/708 1400. The mobility centre will be closed between 28 and 31 December. Further information on the timetable and fare change: www.swg-verkehr.de