May 2008
New Busses & New Prices
This May, 31 new public busses will be introduced by the MVG. These will replace older busses that were purchased in the 1990s and will have covered a distance of almost a million kilometers on the streets of Munich. All new busses will be equipped with air conditioning, door kneeling capability, fold-away ramps for wheelchairs, and monitors to improve information for passengers. Thanks to the increased passenger volume over the past years, the new MVG fleet will provide one additional door at the rear end of the busses in order to make boarding more comfortable, and as an incentive for people to avoid crowding the front part of the cars. Environmental considerations have also played a part in the acquisition. All new models have particulate filters, catalytic converters and further waste gas treatment technology that exceeds the “Euro-V-Norm” that will come into effect in 2009. Two busses will be hybrid vehicles, with a diesel motor and an electric motor that will test the cost-effectiveness and the future applicability of such energy-saving city liners.
In addition to purchasing expenses, rising energy costs are the reason put forth by the MVG to warrant an increase in ticket prices. Starting July 1, the cost of a blue
Streifenkarte will rise from € 10.50 to € 11, and the Streifenkarte for children will be eliminated. (Children will, however, only have to stamp just one stripe for a two-zone ride). There also will be an average price increase of about 3.8 % for the “Isarcard,” single tickets and day tickets. Tickets purchased before July 1, however, will be valid through September 30. <<<
