Germany and France have given away a total of 60,000 “friendship passes” to residents of their countries aged between 18 and 27 to mark the 60th anniversary of the Elysee Treaty.
Announcing the news, the ministers of transport of Germany and France, Volker Wissing and Clement Beaune, said that this project aims to enhance Franco-German cooperation and promote environmentally friendly travel among young adults, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
“With the Franco-German friendship pass, young adults aged 18 to 27 can travel to the respective neighbouring country, get to know them and thus strengthen the relationship between Germany and France,” the government website on the promotion wrote.
As Deutsche Welle explains, Germany already started the distribution of free passes on June 12, and the country will continue to do so as long as supplies last.
The same notes that the tickets are valid for a one-month period and they can be used for several journeys. However, one travel day must be used to cross the border between Germany and France and another to return.
Such a rule has been imposed in order to prevent people from using these tickets on their regular commute domestically without travelling from one country to another.
It has been revealed that the free tickets can be used for local train and long-distance travel of seven days of the users’ choice on either side of the border. The tickets will be valid for use between July 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023.
Nonetheless, it has been stressed that the tickets will not be totally free. The pass does not include the fee for reserving a seat on highspeed cross-border trains, which is required in France. Everyone with a free pass will be required to pay such a fee.
Commenting on the scheme launched to mark the 60th anniversary of the Elysee Treaty, the Minister of Transport of Germany said that this is a great opportunity for young people to celebrate such an event and highlighted the importance of ongoing cooperation between Germany and France.
“Current events in Europe show just how important mutual exchange is for the continued survival of a peaceful and democratic Europe,” the German Transport Minister said.
The French Transport Minister also emphasised the importance of this project. He said that “with this ticket, we are celebrating Franco-German friendship and actively encouraging train use as a form of transportation.”
Germany has already launched a nationwide €49 monthly ticket, permitting all of its holders to use local as well as regional public transport in the whole country without having to purchase any other ticket.
France is also working to launch a similar ticket that can be used in the whole country for a more reasonable price.